How To Rent A Bike In Ischia?
Recently, my in-laws embarked on a trip to Europe and received recommendations from their church community to visit a picturesque island called Ischia in addition to Italy. As they are not technology-savvy individuals, my husband and I assisted them with researching the island and making arrangements. We discovered that bike rental is a cost-effective and increasingly popular option for those seeking to explore the island in a leisurely and extended manner.
How do you rent a bike in Ischia? The short answer, you can rent a bike in Ischia by contacting one of the local bike rental businesses. If you choose a local business, make sure the rental business is close to where you are staying for ease. Also, check with your hotel as some offer bike rentals themselves or may offer you a deal if you book directly with them.
There are a few options available to you when it comes to renting a bike in Ischia. You can contact the rental company during their business hours via phone or email prior to your trip, you can wait until you arrive on the island to discuss renting a bike, or you can opt to book online. It’s worth noting that most bike shops typically take one to two days to respond to email inquiries, so this method may not be ideal if you’re leaving for Ischia very soon. Additionally, there are a few factors to consider before booking, such as whether to put down a deposit now or after you’ve arrived on the island.
Can you hire bikes in Ischia?
Yes, you are able to hire bikes in Ischia. There are bike rental operations where you can book online, in person, and over the phone. There are also cyclist groups that you can contact via Google and Facebook to meet with like-minded individuals while in Ischia. Just imagine biking to the summit of Mt Empomeo to top your vacation.
They offer manual, electric bikes, and motorized scooters for hire. The cost of renting a bike in Ischia varies with the kind of bike you are renting and for how long from what I have seen, on average, city bike rentals range from $15 Euro a day to $70 Euro a week. For example, at Rental of Franco Ischia, you can rent by the day, three days, five days, or seven days.
| Type of bike | One day cost | Three-day cost | Five-day cost | Seven-day cost |
| Child’s | 10 € | 24 € | 32 € | 40 € |
| Mountain | 15 € | 38 € | 52 € | 60 € |
| Adult | 15 € | 38 € | 52 € | 60 € |
| City | 15 € | 38 € | 52 € | 60 € |
| Electric | 25 € | 65 € | 100 € | 125 € |
According to some other bike renters, their rented bikes were delivered straight to their hotel. One rental service in Ischia even guarantees to have the bike waiting for you upon your arrival. This is a hassle-free way to begin your adventure without having to spend time traveling to pick up your bike. One reviewer noted that there was no extra fee for this service in their case. If you need to extend your rental period, you can easily do so by making a quick phone call to the rental company.
It can be difficult to get information from hotels about the costs of renting bikes, especially during high tourist seasons. Some hotels may not want to advertise their bike rentals to avoid running out of bikes, and locals may be given priority over tourists.
What benefits of the local bike shops vs online?
The obvious benefit of booking your rental bike online is convenience. You can book when you want, and if your cell phone has an internet connection you can make the booking right from your phone.
Also, you can email and/or call to have questions answered ahead of time if that helps you pre-plan. If you pre-plan this way, you can have your questions answered, your bike booked, and ready to go by your arrival similar to a car rental at the airport.
If you are unsure about choosing a mountain bike or city bike or figuring out sizes and comfort, it would be best to visit a shop in person. You may also feel more comfortable and have less anxiety with your booking after speaking in person with a professional, and that’s okay. Visiting the shop, rather than booking online, gives you the opportunity to sit and pedal around the shop with various models before you commit. This will make that the bike is the right:
- Size
- Fit
- Comfort
- Athletic ability
Another interesting possibility that can come from just waiting to visit your local shop for your bike rental is you can hear about local secrets that cannot be found on a Google search. This may include suggesting different bike routes, insight into hidden interesting landmarks, or even the best places to eat along the way. The shop owner can give you the inside tips to find the island’s hot springs and volcanic mud. Shop owners can tell you on the weather that you can come to expect during your stay and suggest the days that are best to go out.
Athlete vs Regular Joe?
Your bike can also affect your route; Ischia is known for its narrow roads and mountain terrain. If you are unsure what bike is best for you, first you must self-evaluate your physical athleticism before you’re stuck in the middle of a one-thousand-foot steep hill with a ninety-degree incline, and rocks everywhere. Nature is not “PC” and is not worried about being nice, be honest about your ability.
If you can jog ten miles or more a week, you can probably explore the entire island with no problem by mountain bike, with a little sweat and grit. However, if you need to catch your breath at the top of the stairs at your workplace, you may want to consider a hybrid electric bike or pay the extra for a fully automated scooter.
Even if you haven’t run since 10th-grade track, a bike can still be an effective means of travel for short trips like visiting the town square and areas near your hotel. If you don’t plan on using your bike to explore all of Ischia, there are buses that run by the major hotels and take you around to see the sites. So, the non-athlete can comfortably use a regular bike for small round-trip explorations.
Who can I go to if I don’t have time to research this information?
You can email inquiries directly to info@ischiareview.com to get an up to date list of companies you can approach directly for rentals. They are your middle man too, by easily informing them of the dates of your travel and when you will be needing the bikes, and they’ll arrange a couple of offers. Once you agree to a rental offer, they can collect a deposit online and arrange the delivery of the bike to your hotel. Usually, someone will be at the hotel with paperwork to do a bike or vehicle inspection with you.
Discover Ischia on Wheels: Scooter Rental in Ischia(Opens in a new browser tab)
For the adventurous and agile, you may also like to visit foraday.it. Gianluigi and his team offer custom guided bike tours filled with information on the landscape, history, and culture. They know the landscapes and streets well to match your fitness level.
If you like a challenge, these guys will put you on an off-road tour to see parts of the island most tourists miss. Don’t be too afraid if you’re not an Olympian cyclist; they have electric bikes for those who are “not so trained.”
Consider local bike shops; they are be the best way to enjoy the island. You can discover the best times to visit the Aragonese Castle or where to find the best thermal baths. They can show you the hidden gems of shops like ceramic and pottery. See you in Ischia, ciao.
