Centauro Rent a Car Reviews 

I rented a car at Catania airport for the 6th July 2026, my flight was cancelled after we arrived at our home airport, due toMt Etna erupting.
I couldnt cancel the car online as it was less tahn 48hrs.
After sending 3 forms and reply to 2 automated emails I have had no response from Customer services, i find this rude and unhelpful. I have also tried to ring the Catania office on several occasion and after being on hold for a few minutes the line just cuts off.
I am trying to get a refund for the car, but getting nowhere.

Update: I had a reply to this review sending a link to the form that I have already filled in 3 times in the last two weeks, not good enough.
Centauro my details are in the following booking ref please contact me by email or phone your froms give automated replies, this just gets worse

Extremely disappointed with my experience at Centauro Catania Airport.
Our hire car broke down after just 171 km, leaving us stranded on the roadside for over four hours before recovery arrived. Extremely disappointed with Centauro Catania Airport. The vehicle had already covered over 53,000 km but broke down after I had driven just 171 km. Centauro then issued a €2,050 clutch charge while retaining my deposits, yet has provided no inspection report, no mechanical report, no photographs and no evidence explaining how the alleged damage has been attributed to me despite repeated requests.
My formal complaint has gone unanswered, Booking.com have also been unable to obtain a response, and the lack of information means I cannot even progress my insurance claim. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend this company.

The car and online service was very good BUT the customer service at Catania airpoort was VERY poor. Very busy pick up delayed by VERY pushes sales of full cover insurance. I must point out tha the full cover insurance is very good and i chose it in advance but WOW did they sell it at the desk to those who did not have it. Must be on commission. But that was not my main problem. I accidentally put the in correct pick up and drop of time on my booking form. She told me that the car wasnt ready for 4 hours which was my booked time. But I could upgrade to another car for €50. I said no and decided to wait but after one hour I relented and went back spoke to a different guy he said he could change the booking for the correct times for me NO CHARGE and the CAR WAS ready. I wish I got the name of the original assistant to name and shame her. She is at Catania airport Centauro desk. Shame on you not the customer service we want.

This company is a scam. I rented through Ryanair, same company through which I had purchased an airline ticket. When I arrived to the counter in Catania (airport), the agent told me I was unable to rent the vehicle due to not having an Italian driver's license. I had an international drivers permit, a US passport and US drivers license - all that was required in order to rent the vehicle. I was turned away, while traveling solo, and it was after dark. This completely disrupted all the plans I had in Sicily (I had planned to drive around to explore the island and planned to visit other destinations), not to mention became an added safety concern, traveling as a single woman in a foreign country. I then had to wait 3 hours for a bus to Taormina - at night - and was unable to visit Sicily as I had intended. This was an insane inconvenience and concern to be unable to get the vehicle due to a made up requirement because they did not want to rent me the car for some reason (probably had already given it away or got a better price from someone else). DO NOT RENT FROM THIS COMPANY.

We rented a car in September at Catania Airport. The rental process was very simple – the company has its own app, so we were able to upload all the necessary documents in advance, which made the car pick-up quick and smooth upon arrival. The staff at the office were friendly and helpful, so the whole process didn’t take long.
All the information on the official website was clear and easy to understand. The total rental price already included an additional driver and full insurance, so we didn’t have to worry about any extra costs. We received a brand-new, comfortable, and fuel-efficient car that had everything we needed for our trip. We didn’t require any additional equipment. On-site, we only had to pay for the “Full-Full” fuel policy, which was fully refunded when we returned the car. In addition, we even received a refund for returning the car earlier than planned.
I highly recommend this company to anyone looking for a hassle-free and fast car rental experience. Wishing the company continued success in their business. Top recommendations!

in my contract ;
Pickup date and time 06/09/25 - 18:30:00
Vehicle type Group C2. Mini Countryman Auto Guaranteed car model
Branch of pickup Catania Airport - Sicily

I clearly pay for a minicountrymann GUARANTEED CAR MODEL .. no one on the parking lot ...instead a old quasquai with brakes and chock finished ...clearly a scam ...no return for my overpaid mini countryman ...

We booked a car online for our trip around Sicily. The office was relatively easy to find, and the staff are very friendly and helpful. They spoke very good English too. The car was in immaculate condition, which worried me driving on Sicilian roads! I didn’t book the full insurance with them, but the rates were so competitive in Sicily that I do wish I had taken that out with them rather than by a third-party excess cover. The fuel policy was very fair as well, just paying for what was used at local garage rates. So not artificially inflated.
To summarise, it was the best car experience I’ve ever had and wouldn’t hesitate to use them again. This was at the Catania branch in Sicily.

We rented a car from them in Sicily (Catania), paid a deposit for petrol, returned the car with a full tank and did not get our money back!!! No one answers the phone or responds to emails!!!

NO ONE IS ANSWERING THE PHONE OR EMAIL - I HOPE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEM, BECAUSE YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO SOLVE THEM!!!

In May this year we hired a car from Centauro at Catania airport, Sicily, for a 10 day holiday. On the third day the car developed a mechanical problem and we had to call the breakdown service. They arrived in a reasonable time but we were told by the Centauro office that we would have to arrange our own transport back to Catania (now two hours away by taxi). We called an Uber and were quoted around €155. When we arrived at the Centauro office at Catania the replacement car was waiting for us but when we said that we expected to receive a refund of the taxi fare, as they had failed to deliver a reliable service, there was a difference of opinion between the two desk agents. The lady who processed the car exchange took a copy of the taxi receipt and said that it would be refunded via their head office. The other agent there said that we were not entitled to a refund. Since the trip we have not received any correspondence from Centauro, despite raising and chasing up a complaint via their website. I would be very wary of using this company as they make it impossible to follow up any issues and, so far as we can make out, provide no method of direct contact with anyone in authority.

I rented a car at their Catania airport location. The car was white and at the time of rental there was a tiny black fleck on the bumper (barely 2 millimeters) which seemed like a non-issue. At the time of return, the agent charged me 300 Euro for this tiny black fleck. I was appalled! I am a seasoned traveler and have rented thousands of times. I have never, ever, been charged for something that is barely visible to the naked eye.

I rented a car at the office near the airport in Catania with the Smart Cover option. I only had to leave a deposit for the fuel. Everything went as agreed, and the staff were very friendly.

PS: Driving in Catania is only recommended for experienced drivers! 😄

I rented from Catania in Sicily. With so many worrying reports of car rental (from all providers) I decided to take the premium policy with no excess. Arrived, paid a full deposit (£50) and was immediately shown to my car which was an almost brand new Lancia... the damage checkout sheet was crossed out at the desk. On return - just as easy - parked up - checked the car back in - cursory inspection of full level and all done - deposit returned immediately. On top of the no hassle, the staff were super and after all the awful stories online this turned out to be my easiest rental ever - well there you go!

We collected our car from Catania airport on July 11th 2023. Our hotel was approximately 1.5 hours from the airport in a very secluded area, the last 2km to the hotel from the main road, was a dirt track. Later that afternoon we travelled to a supermarket for the return journey; Google Maps directed us along a dirt track, leading to the hotel, from the opposite direction.

Unfortunately in attempting to get back to the main road as the track to the hotel was blocked we had a puncture. We telephoned Centaura at approximately 18.25 and explained our situation, we were told that our info would be forwarded to the Catania base. At 19.18, through a WhatsApp conversation, following a phone conversation, we were asked to provide our exact location. Using Google Maps, we shared the location. A recovery truck, from a 3rd party was promised, as it was too far to send the Catania recovery vehicle.

From the original phone call at 18.25, through a series of phone calls and WhatsApp messages, we pursued the base to be recovered. We were promised a recovery truck, then a taxi to return us to the hotel, then a recovery truck, and so on.

At 22.32, we asked AGAIN, what. Is happening. At 23.10; almost 5 hours after the initial telephone call, we were rescued!

By two chefs from the hotel on quad bikes. The recovery truck had arrived at the hotel, the amazing staff at Vecchia Masseria, worked out where we were and the chefs came to the rescue.

Furthermore, the recovery truck left, when we arrived back at the hotel. The following day the HOTEL organised a replacement tyre, recovered the car, and spoke with Centauro, to organise payment.

I dare not think if, how or when we would have been rescued by Centauro?

We had a terrible experience renting a car from you, the car you gave us broke down within 4 days with a major oil leak, bad customer service, we had to go back to Catania airport to collect a replacement car so money was spent and time on our holiday cut short. We have complained on our return and Zero response from you. DO NOT HIRE FROM THIS COMPANY!!!!!!

I recently had the pleasure of renting a car from Centauro at the Catania Airport on the 24th of April. From the very beginning, the experience was smooth and hassle-free. The staff at the rental counter were polite and helpful, suggesting that we opt for the full cover, which eliminated the need for a deposit. They did charge a fuel deposit of around 104 euros, but this was returned in full when we brought the car back with a full tank.

The car we rented was in great condition and served us well during our trip. We returned the car to Centauro's Palermo office on the 4th of April, and just like in Catania, the staff there were courteous and professional. To top it all off, they even provided us with a shuttle to the airport entrance, making our departure a breeze.

I highly recommend Centauro for anyone in need of a reliable and hassle-free car rental experience in Sicily!

Arrived very tired at fontanarossa airport Catania. We had booked a fiat 500X as the online app said it would take 2 suitcases and 5 adults ( we 3 adults and an adult sized 12year old). Unfortunately it wouldn't take our 2 suitcases, so back in to the office. No problem I was assured and out was brought 2 sets of keys to a ford puma and a Jeep. We tried the ford first which really wasn't promising and seemed to be having to face the Jeep, but my eldest son adjusted things a bit and the boot shut, hurray !!
The staff really were excellent and helpful and could not be faulted at all.
I paid for the premium insurance package as I usually do when I book as it's really worth it to me. I have used firefly previously but I will continue with Centauro in future

The worst experience I have ever had.

I have been travelling to Catania for over 20 years using hertz most of the time and others.
This time on the 18th of September, I have used centauro.

The staff in Catania airport are useless, rude and unhelpful and they have no customer care abilities. When they are talking to you it is like they are selling fish at the market.

I also contacted the call centre and I had the same terrible experience as our flight was cancelled and needed to extend for 6 hours only and they tried to rip me off by quoting 220 pounds for the six hours extension.

They are unhelpful and rude. Treating the customers with no respect whatsoever.
Watch out for the petrol scam - they charge you for full tank in advance and they deliver the car with half tank.

The car was delivered very filthy - they just stuck a sanitised label across the door…but the car was filthy.

Will never use them again.

Really Poor Service and a dangerous lack of quality control.

I hired a car from the Catania office in Sicily through Opodo.com for August 2020. When the flights changed Opodo tried to email the Centauro office in Catania but received no response.

On arrival I was provided with a Nissan Qashqai, nobody from the office escorted me to the car or showed me round it they just asked me to sign a form. I had to check for scratches myself.

After 2 days and 3 very short journeys I smelled a burning smell and the clutch on the car went on a very busy road I had my wife and 3 kids in the car at the time so could have been potentially very dangerous!!

Centauro promptly organised a tow truck and a new vehicle (exactly the same model car). The staff at the office just told me to write a brief explanation about what happened on a plain piece of A4 paper, no official breakdown or accident form was provided. When the staff noticed I had gone into detail in my explanation they told me I didn't need to write that much information! I was told we could discuss the repair on my return of the second hire car.

When I got into the second hire car I immediately noticed it was easier to drive even though it was the same model as the first car. At this point it became very clear the clutch was faulty on the first car from the start. I contacted head office immediately via the website to report this but received no response in over a week.

Despite me contacting head office in-between I was stung with an enormous bill on my return of the car. The office staff in Catania said they had received no information from me.

On return from my holiday I contacted the Centauro head office via several means but only got a response when I sent a Facebook message. I requested a breakdown of my bill and report of pre hire inspection checks and received nothing for weeks. I was finally sent an invoice from Opodo.com and one from Centauro which didn’t correspond at all! No pre inspection documentation was provided.

I am contacting the European Consumer Commission to investigate.

Never had I experienced such a bad service.
Saturday the 29th of july we are picking up a car at Catania Airport.
Here we are met by a service assistent who says we can pay either 225€ or 1050€ in DEPOSIT and she garantees us that we we’ll get the money back. Here we of course choose the 225€ to be blocked.
We asks her many times and on her bad english she promises us we will get the money back.
So we pay 288 € (as we should when we arrived - we also prepaid 88€ from home) PLUS 225€ (as we were promised was a deposit). So 550€.
Today we returned the car at the same lady. Now she says that we chose the Smart Cover and not will get our money back. We are arguing with her in a long time and she lies and says she told us we not were getting our 225€ back. That is a lie. We never got out money and paid way more money that we should. Dont choose this Company.
/Johanne Schack