Sardinia Car Rental Guide
Everything you need to know about renting a car in Sardinia, from booking tips to pickup locations.
We travel to Sardinia three times a year to visit Mariella’s family and in our experience over the last decade we find hiring a car to give us the most flexibility.
After some trial and error, we now book through Discover Cars for all our trips. They compare prices across all the major rental companies and offer free cancellation and amendments. We consistently find better rates than booking directly with the rental agencies themselves.
Over the years we’ve used all the main operators on the island such as Maggiore, Avis, Sicily by Car, Mida Rent and many more. Following the steps laid out below, we’ve always had a positive rental experience.
Through Discover Cars , we’ve used most of the main operators on the island - Maggiore, Avis, Sicily by Car, Mida Rent, and others. Following our tips below, we’ve always had positive rental experiences.
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 in September. Paying just a few euros more can save you from endless queuing and preserve half a day at the start of your holiday.
Go Small
Sardinia’s roads are generally good, but parking at beaches can be tight in July and August. The island’s historic town centers can be very narrow—a smaller car really pays off in these situations.
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.
Don’t Forget Your Driving Licence
Bring your physical driving licence—this is essential.
For non-EU residents, you will also need an International Driving Permit.
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.
It also pays to take a photo of the fuel tank when you pick the car up and drop it off to prevent any additional charges.
Take a Video
Always pay attention to the hire agreement and noted damage, and take a video of the car at the time you pick it up.
Sometimes you arrive late at night and its not practical to take videos, but make sure you follow up first thing the following morning with the hire company.
We’ve never been caught out but have had to challenge things a couple of times on return.
Main Collection Points on the Island
Airports
| Location | Code | Best For | Notes | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olbia Airport | OLB | North & East Coast | Busiest airport, most rental options | Book |
| Alghero Airport | AHO | West Coast | Seasonal variations, fewer direct flights | Book |
| Cagliari Airport | CAG | South & Capital | Year-round availability, often cheaper | Book |
Ferry Ports
| Location | Best For | Notes | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olbia Port | Ferry arrivals from mainland Italy | Close to airport, convenient for Civitavecchia ferries | Book |
| Porto Torres | Ferry arrivals from Genoa/Barcelona | Good for exploring northwest coast | Book |
| Cagliari Port | Ferry arrivals from southern Italy | Convenient for capital city explorations | Book |
Major Towns & Cities
| Location | Best For | Notes | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sassari | Northern Sardinia base | University town, good transport links | Book |
| Nuoro | Central Sardinia exploration | Gateway to Gennargentu mountains | Book |
| Oristano | West coast beaches | Historic town, close to Sinis Peninsula | Book |
| Tortolì | East coast access | Good for Ogliastra region | Book |
Enjoy your trip!
Keep exploring Sardinia
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Choose the perfect season for the best car rental deals
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