Car Rental on Sardinia

Sardinia is a great place for renting a car. Having the freedom of your own wheels will let you explore the fun and historic cities like Alghero and Cagliari, visit impressive nature reserves or famous beach areas like Costa Smeralda, and even to venture further than most tourists go by traveling to the island’s rugged and fascinating inland parts.

• From Sardinia to Italy - 124 offers from $43.97 per day

• Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport: A focus location for Air Italy and also served by a number of other airlines, this cozy little airport serves the city of Olbia and the wider Northeast Sardinia region. The airport is just 5 km (3 mi) from Olbia city center.
• Cagliari Elmas Airport: The busiest airport in Sardinia, located about 7 km (4.3 mi) from Cagliari downtown, serves around 3,5 million passengers every year. 
• Alghero Airport: Although working year-round, Alghero Airport is especially active during the summer months when it provides a number of domestic connections, as well as flights to and from France, United Kingdom, Germany, and many other European countries.
• By sea: There a number of daily ferry routes from Sardinia to the Italian Mainland, although there are a lot less options during autumn and winter. It is possible to bring your rental car on a ferry, but ask your car rental provider in advance if they permit it.

• Cagliari. Like the rest of Sardinian cities, Cagliari tempts travelers with its world-class beaches, but the island’s capital also has plenty to offer in interesting museums, impressive churches, lovely squares, and hip art galleries.
• Alghero. Inhabited by Catalans and Spaniards since the 14th century, Alghero is sometimes referred to as Little Barcelona. History buffs love it for its cathedrals and fortresses, while diving enthusiasts never grow tired of exploring the nearby underwater caves and grottoes.
• Costa Smeralda. It might be busy, but that’s for a good reason - Costa Smeralda is considered by many to be the most beautiful stretch of coast in Italy (and one of the most attractive ones in the whole of Europe). Its is located between Palau and Olbia. Go there to make new friends, visit beachside restaurants, and enjoy the high life.
• Tharros. Corinthian columns and other remains of this town on the Western Coast of the island tell a lot about the long and interesting history of Sardinia. Its name comes from Greek, but throughout time it was also home to Romans, Phoenicians, and, even before that, to the mysterious Nuragic civilization.
• Asinara. The small island near the northwestern corner of Sardinia was closed to the wider public for almost a century and then turned into a national park 20 years ago. The long isolation created its most famous inhabitants - a population of albino donkeys. A fortress and a medieval monastery are also very much worth a visit.
• Sassari. Home to just 130,000 inhabitants, Sardinia’s second city boasts such variety of amazing architecture that would make a much larger European metropolis proud. Walk its labyrinthine streets and spot different styles like baroque, neoclassical, and Catalan gothic.

The most popular rental car in Sardinia is the Ford Fiesta, although travelers also love the Renault Clio and the VW Golf Metano.

• Italy accepts all driver licenses issued in the European Union (EU).
• You can only use a driver's license issued outside of the EU if you've been in the EU for less than six months. If you’ve been in the EU longer, you’ll need a driver's license issued by an EU country.
• If your driver's license is printed in a non-Latin alphabet (Cyrillic, Arabic, etc.), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official translation of your license into English or, preferably, Italian.
• You must carry your driver license, not its copy, with you at all times.
• You need to have had your driver license for at least one or two years, depending on the car provider’s requirements.
• There may be additional requirements depending on the car provider and car category, so make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking.

Some rental companies allow their cars to be taken to mainland Italy — most often as a one-way trip with the renter dropping off the car in Rome.

Many wonder if a rental car can be taken to the neighboring French island of Corsica. Very few rental companies allow this — instead, think about dropping off your rental car before taking the ferry and picking up another on Corsica.

Almost no rental companies allow their cars to be taken on the longer ferry journey to Sicily.  

Learn more about cross-border rentals in our FAQ section. 

There are no motorways on Sardinia and thus no toll roads. 

The most popular rental car type in Sardinia is an economy, closely followed by mini and intermediate.

1. Sassari - Olbia (100 km / 60 mi) This drive takes around 90 minutes, but, should you choose the only slightly longer option through the town of Tempio Pausania, you’d get a chance to buy a bottle of the delicious Vermentino from its original makers, bath in the town’s thermal waters, or climb the nearby Mount Limbara that allows amazing views from its summit. 
2. Cagliari - Alghero (230 km / 143 mi) The route between the northwest and the southwest of the island (or vice versa) can be traveled in less than three hours, but if you’re not a rush, do use the opportunity to visit the fascinating Barumini Archeological Zone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’ll be on your way.
3. Cagliari - Olbia (274 km / 170 mi) Bending through small inland towns, the route between two of the most important Sardinia’s cities can be traversed in just under three hours.

These are some of the things you can do to get a good rental car deal in Sardinia:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Sardinia is the cheapest in February when renting a car is about 40% cheaper than the yearly average.