Sardinia Car Rental Guide
Everything you need to know about renting a car in Sardinia.
We travel to Sardinia 3 times a year to visit family and always use Discover Cars for price comparison across all the major rental companies - we've consistently found better rates than booking directly with the rental agencies.
Recently we used Maggiore, but we've used Avis, Sicily by Car booked via and most of the others over the years. We typically go for the smallest vehicle class which works perfectly for two people.
Key Tips from Our Experience
Book 2-3 Months Ahead
We've found booking 2-3 months in advance gives the best rates, especially for summer visits when most of the rentals happen.
Avoid the Cheapest Car Hire Option
We learned this lesson after spending almost two hours queuing at Olbia in 35°C heat last September. Paying just a few euros more can save you from endless queuing and save you half a day at the start of your holiday.
Excess Cover is Crucial
Italian drivers can be a bit...unpredictable. We learned this the hard way when someone smashed into the back of our rental car while we were sat at a red light in Santa Teresa last year.
For one-off trips, Discover Cars full coverage is solid and costs about half what the rental companies will try to charge you on arrival.
If you're doing multiple trips over the year including car rentals, an annual excess cover is much cheaper and will pay for itself over a single trip.
We've been using Reduce My Excess for three years now and they've been great when we've needed them.
Credit Card Essentials
Always book your car hire with a credit card, and make sure you bring the same credit card with you and know the PIN for the security deposit!
If the rental agency can't process the security deposit on the named driver's credit card, they'll cancel the rental agreement and create a new direct contract that can end up costing several hundred euros more at the start of your holiday.
Make sure you bring a driving licence
Don't forget your physical driving licence.
For non-EU residents you will also need to have an International Driving Licence.
Watch the Fuel Policy
Always check if it's full-to-full or if they're trying to sell you an overpriced full tank upfront.
Take a Video
Always pay attention to the hire agreement and noted damage, and always take a video of the car at the time you pick it up. We've never been caught out but had to challenge things a couple of times on return.
Final Notes
Sardinia's roads are generally good but parking in historic town centers can be very tight - the smaller car really pays off there.
Enjoy your trip!
Reference
Main collection points on the island: