Car Rental on Sardinia

Why rent a car 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.

Top ways to enter Sardinia

• 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.

Top cities and places to visit

• 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.
• 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.

Most popular rental car

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

Driver's license requirements

• 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.

Crossing borders

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. 

Toll roads

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

Most popular types of rental car

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

Top driving routes

• Costa Verde. Situated along the southwestern portion of the island, close to Cagliari and not too far away from either Sassari or Alghero, Costa Verde is one of the most beautiful coastal stretches in Sardinia. About 50 km (30 miles) long, it provides a change of pace and somewhat more tranquil atmosphere than the beaches of the aforementioned Costa Smeralda in the northeast, it is sometimes also called Marina de Arbus after one of its loveliest towns.
• Asinara National Park. The small island of Asinara near the northwestern corner of Sardinia was closed to the wider public for almost a century, serving as a war time prison camp, then a maximum security prison, and then being turned into a national park over 20 years ago. The long isolation from the mainland contributed to the creation of the island’s most famous inhabitants – a population of albino donkeys; a fortress and a medieval monastery are also very much worth a visit. Asinara is about a two hour drive north of Alghero, with the trip including a ferry ride. The island is closed to private cars, but you can park the rental at the port of Porto Torres from where the boat takes off.

Car rental prices on Sardinia

• Small cars - from $9 per day
• Medium cars - from $11 per day
• SUVs - from $14 per day
• Convertibles - from $101 per day
• Large cars - from $12 per day
• Station wagons - from $23 per day
• Vans - from $60 per day
• Premium cars - from $114 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Below, you'll find reviews about traveling around Sardina from customers who booked their rental car through us. Here's a summary of some of the most frequent things they mentioned:

• Scenic Beaches and Snorkeling (mentioned frequently): Sardinia is praised for its stunning beaches and snorkeling spots, with phrases like "Snorkeling spots all around the island" and "many beautiful beaches" frequently mentioned.
• Popular Tourist Spots (mentioned several times): Notable locations such as "Cala Gonone," "La Maddelena Island," and "Sur Nuraxi" were highlighted as must-visit destinations, with travelers often describing these spots as "very nice" and "a must-see."
• Ease of Travel and Car Rentals (mentioned several times): Renting a car was a common theme, with visitors noting that it made exploring the island much easier. The convenience of having a car was emphasized in several reviews.
• Island Activities (mentioned a few times): Beyond the beaches, activities like ferry rides to smaller islands and exploring the local landscape were popular, enriching the overall travel experience.
• Natural Beauty (mentioned a few times): The natural beauty of Sardinia is consistently praised, with many travelers describing the island as "beautiful" and "great" for outdoor activities.

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.