Mercedes Mullins
Driving in Italy can be a challenge, especially in the cities and towns. However, if you're planning a trip through the countryside or to a smaller town, a car is a great idea. If you're renting a car in Italy, you'll need to know how to fill it with fuel. Italian gas stations are mostly self-serve, but some are manned, and an attendant will fill your tank for you. You can pay by cash or card, but be aware that some pumps only accept chip and PIN cards, and some machines do not give change. It's also important to know whether your car needs unleaded gas (benzina) or diesel (gasolio).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Self-service availability | Yes, but some stations are entirely self-service, while others are self-service only for a few hours a day. |
| Attendant service availability | Yes, but availability varies. Some stations are always staffed, while others are only staffed at certain times. |
| Payment methods | Cash, credit card, and debit card are accepted at most stations. Some stations also accept ATM cards. |
| Fuel types | Unleaded (benzina) and diesel (gasolio) are available. |
| Additional services | Some stations offer window washing, oil checks, and tire pressure checks. Larger stations may have shops, cafes, and restrooms. |
| Station locations | Gas stations can be found along the autostrada (high-speed road network) and in rural areas. |
| Station size | Gas stations in Italy tend to be small, with limited space. |
| Regional variations | Fuel prices and station opening hours may vary by region. |
| Tips | It is recommended to ask the rental car company about the fuel type and refuelling expectations. It is also important to know the side of the gas tank and the amount of fuel needed to avoid overpaying. |
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What You'll Learn
Attended vs self-service
When it comes to filling up your car in Italy, you will generally have two options: self-service or an attended service.
Self-service
Most gas stations in Italy are self-service, and some are not monitored by humans at all. These are generally the smaller stations, which may be unmanned for several hours a day or only open on certain days. If you are using a self-service pump, you will need to pay at a machine before pumping your gas. These machines accept cash, and some will also take credit or ATM cards. However, it is worth noting that some machines will not accept all cards, and they do not give change. You will need to select the correct pump number and then choose your gas type: unleaded ("senza piombo") or diesel ("gasolio").
Attended service
If you opt for an attended service, you will pull into the bay next to the appropriate pump, and an attendant will come to you. You tell them how much fuel you want, either by stating an amount or asking for a full tank ("pieno per favore"). Attendants may also check your oil or tire pressure on request. The servito option is generally more expensive than self-service.
Other considerations
Whether you opt for self-service or an attended service, it is important to know which type of fuel your car needs. Unleaded is called "benzina" and diesel is "gasolio". Diesel cars cannot run on unleaded fuel, and vice versa. Gas stations in Italy are not very spacious, so it is a good idea to take note of which side your gas tank is on. It is also worth noting that gas stations can be hard to find in small towns on Sundays and holidays.
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Payment methods
When it comes to payment methods for filling up your car with fuel in Italy, there are a few options. The traditional Italian petrol station will offer two ways of filling up your car: self-service or full service with an attendant.
Self-Service
Most gas stations in Italy are self-service, and some have no staff monitoring the pumps at all. If there is no attendant, you will need to use a self-service payment machine. These machines accept cash, and some take credit and debit cards, but it is best to have the exact amount in cash as the machines do not always give change. Some machines may also require a chip and PIN card, so it is good to have this option available.
Full Service
If you opt for full service, you will need to pay the attendant. You can either state the amount you would like to spend or ask for a full tank by saying "pieno per favore." They will then pump the gas for you. At some stations, attendants will also check your oil or tyre pressure and wash your windows and check your oil at no extra cost.
Payment Options
Both cash and credit cards are widely accepted payment methods at Italian gas stations. If you are paying by credit card, you may have to go inside the store to complete the transaction. It is worth noting that some stations may demand you put in exact amounts, such as €10, €20, or €30, especially on Sundays and holidays.
Fuel Types
Finally, it is important to know whether your car requires unleaded petrol ("senza piombo" or "benzina") or diesel ("gasolio"). Putting the wrong type of fuel in your car can be costly, and a diesel car cannot run on petrol and vice versa.
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Fuel types
When it comes to fuel types in Italy, you'll need to know whether your car takes "benzina" (unleaded petrol) or "gasolio" (diesel). Diesel cars are common in Italy, so don't assume your rental car takes unleaded just because it's small. Putting the wrong fuel type in your car will be costly, and your car will need to be towed to a service centre.
Unleaded petrol is more expensive than diesel in Italy. As of 2022, unleaded petrol costs €1.447 per litre, while diesel costs €1.258 per litre. That amounts to roughly €5.48 per gallon for unleaded petrol and about $5.99 with the current exchange rate.
If you're unsure about the type of fuel your rental car takes, be sure to ask when you pick it up. You can also check the side of the fuel pump, as Italian pumps are labelled "benzina" or "gasolio".
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Station locations
Gas stations in Italy vary in size, from small one-pump roadside pull-offs to large service plazas. They are usually attended, except on Sundays and holidays. In rural areas, gas stations are often only manned for a few hours a day. In general, gas stations are open from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm, with an extended midday break from 12:20 pm to 3:30 pm.
Most gas stations are self-serve, and some have no staff monitoring them at all. You can pay by card or cash, but some machines only accept cash. It's worth noting that self-service machines usually don't give change, so it's best to use a small banknote. US swipe-only cards may not work in card-only pumps, but they will during the hours the station is attended. If you pay by credit card, you may have to go inside to complete the transaction.
Larger gas stations often have little shops, cafes, and restrooms. Motorway service stations are usually very well-equipped, with restaurants, good toilet facilities, bars, shops, and rest areas. Smaller stations away from metropolitan areas may not have shops, but they often have bars where you can get a coffee.
You can find gas stations in Italy by consulting the Via Michelin site or the Italian autostrade.it site. They are also easy to spot along the Autostrada, a high-speed road network in Italy.
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Additional services
Most gas stations in Italy are small, but even the larger ones with service-specific lanes may offer additional services that you might not expect. For example, even if you opt for self-service, an attendant may come over to help you. They may also wash your windows and check your oil at no extra cost.
Larger gas stations usually have shops and cafes, as well as restrooms. Motorway service stations are well-equipped with restaurants, good toilet facilities, bars, shops, and rest areas.
If you're paying by credit card, you'll generally have to go inside the store to complete the transaction. If you're using a US credit card, be aware that it may not work at the self-service machine. You may need a chip-and-PIN card to use at the pumps, but you can always pay with a card at the cash register during opening hours.
Gas stations are usually manned from 7 am to 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm to 7 pm, Monday to Saturday. They're typically closed on Sundays and holidays, and on Saturday afternoons. However, some stations may choose to close on a different afternoon instead of Saturday.
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Frequently asked questions
Italian gas stations offer two ways of filling up your car: self-service or full service. If you opt for self-service, you will need to pay at a machine before pumping the gas. If you opt for full service, you will need to tell the attendant how much fuel you want, either by stating an amount of money or asking for a full tank.
Some gas stations in Italy accept credit cards, but it is always a good idea to carry cash with you as well. If you are paying by credit card, you may need to go inside the store to complete the transaction.
This depends on the type of car you have. Be sure to ask the rental car company what type of fuel your car takes before you leave. "Benzina" is unleaded gas, and "gasolio" is diesel.
Fuel stations are generally easy to find in Italy, but they tend to be small and have limited hours. If you are planning to drive on the autostrada, it is best to fill up at one of the larger service stations along the highway.
Yes, here are a few additional tips:
- Gas stations in Italy are typically self-serve, and some may not have any attendants.
- Make sure you know which side your gas tank is on before you pull into the station.
- Be aware that opening hours may vary from region to region.
- If you are paying in cash, make sure you have the exact amount, as some machines do not give change.
