Do I need a car on Sardinia?

Why Renting a Car in Sardinia is the Best Way to Explore the Island’s Hidden Gems

Renting a car in Sardinia is the ultimate way to uncover the island’s hidden treasures and enjoy its breathtaking landscapes with complete freedom. Because public transport is restricted and frequently unreliable, travelling around with your very own vehicle means that you can explore remote beaches, idyllic villages and archaeological sites according to your own schedule. A car is indispensable to travelers in search of a truly authentic Sardinia: vast distances, diverse attractions, from the pristine Costa Smeralda to the rugged interior landscapes. As you travel with your own rental car, you can make your own plans, stop wherever you happen to see something beautiful and get steeped in Sardinia’s rich culture without timetables.


Public transport in Sardinia is spotty outside of Cagliari and Sassari, and can be difficult to get into remote and secluded beaches. Buses and trains are infrequent and only go to a few routes that don’t correspond to tourism at all. Renting a car skips all of these hurdles letting you check into off the beaten path Nuraghe ruins or secret coves along the coast. Also, if you feel like it, you can drive to agriturismos (farm stays) for authentic Sardinian cuisine or sit and stay there for a while as you enjoy the scenery before worrying about finding the next bus – a convenience that is simply not possible on tour buses.

Exploring by car is pleasure as the main roads and drives of the island are well maintained. Whether it’s simply to enjoy the coastline’s winding panoramic roads, or to visit inner-Sardinia’s tranquil countryside roads that lead to picture-esque villages, it’s a dream drive. Renting a car also lets you choose more affordable accommodations out of the reach of tourist hot spots but close to tourist attractions. If you’re going to hit different beaches and explore the historic villages in Sardinia, an own vehicle is a must.

Public Transport in Sardinia: The challenges and Limitations in the sector of tourists

Public transport in Sardinia is limited and not ideal for tourists aiming to explore beyond major cities and towns. Buses and trains link some main centres such as Cagliari, Olbia and Sassari, but runs are scarce at weekends or on holidays. Public transit is useless for travelers on a tight schedule or who, in all honesty, want to discover hidden gems in many rural areas and beautiful beaches that would otherwise be impossible without a private mode of transportation.


ARST runs the bus network that goes to a lot of towns but you often have to wait hours between connections as there are few departures. There are trains run by Trenitalia and ARST regional services which are limited to run on specific routes such as Cagliari, Olbia, Sassari. But it is rare that these options include the Gennargentu mountains or even tiny Cala Luna. However, there’s often a delay, and timetables are confusing for those who don’t speak Italian.

Traveling by public transport for tourists wishing to discover Sardinia’s natural beauty and cultural heritage can prove frustrating and time consuming. Renting a car is a good way of visiting places such as Costa Rei or the La Maddalena Archipelago and not having to bother with travel arrangements to reach such spots, since public transportation is not that simple to work with. And if a bus doesn’t run at all in a rural area, it’s especially important.

sardinia costa rei beach apartment by the sea
sardinia costa rei beach apartment by the sea

How to Plan a Perfect Sardinian Road Trip: Routes, Tips & Recommendations.

Planning a road trip in Sardinia involves choosing scenic routes that showcase the island’s diverse landscapes while ensuring practical considerations like vehicle type and accommodations. Fly into one of Sardinia’s main airports: Cagliari in the south or Olbia in the north and rent a car as soon as you get there. Start there, and develop an itinerary of inland exploration and coastal drives which will give you the best of turquoise beaches and ancient ruins in equal measure.


From Cagliari, set off north along the west coast through Oristano to Alghero: a classic route. There is a stop to see Tharros ruins and to enjoy beaches like Spiaggia della Pelosa nearby St name Of the Town yourself. From Alghero drive east over the island’s rugged interior towards the towns of Olbia or Costa Smeralda for luxury resorts and crystal waters. While you’re still here, you have to explore inland gems such as Su Nuraxi di Barumini and the Gennargentu National Park.

When hitting the roads for your road trip, think about renting a compact to navigate tight village streets, or an SUV to head back country, unpaved roads. Peak seasons require you to book accommodations in advance and to familiarize yourself with local driving rules, including speed limits (50 km/h in towns; 90 km/h on secondary roads). Carefully planned, your Sardinian road trip will be unforgettable, and will include vistas and experiences you’ll want to share with friends.

Best Car Rental Companies in Sardinia: A Guide for Tourists

The best car rental companies in Sardinia include a mix of well-known international brands and reliable local providers, offering competitive prices and excellent services. One of the main airports in Sardinia is Cagliari, Olbia, and Alghero where major names such as Hertz, Avis, Europcar, and Sixt are widely available on your arrival for you to pick up a classic car. Local companies like Welcome Cars, or Moventur, offer more affordable options, and can come with more personal service. Advanced booking is highly advised if you are aiming for best deals during the very (busy) summer season.


International companies such as Hertz, Avis, have huge fleet and customer care standards so for people who have never used local providers international companies are the best. With a choice of compact cars capable for travelling around the narrow village streets, SUVs that are ideal for getting to the fringes of Sardinia’s rugged landscape and everything between, they’ve got you covered. Most of these companies also offer extra perks like full to full fuel policies, unlimited mileage and comprehensive insurance packages. Nevertheless, their rates may be a bit higher than the ones found with local competitors, especially if you book last minute.

On a budget? Moventur and Italy Car Rent are local car rental companies. For instance, these providers usually charge attractive daily rates and flexible terms including the payout with debit card and reduced deposits. In addition, they have vehicles that can be rented on one way or are made for off-road adventure. Most local companies work directly from the Sardinia airports or towns promenades to provide quick service. Whether or not you plan to get your car, comparing rental services early and checking customer reviews can really help you to get a car rental company that fits your Sardinian adventure.

The Cost of Renting a Car in Sardinia: Budget Tips and Comparisons

The cost of renting a car in Sardinia varies depending on the season, vehicle type, and rental duration, with prices ranging from €10 per day in low season to €45 or more during peak summer months. For most travellers to the island’s roads, economy cars such as the Fiat Panda are the most affordable, especially in big cities and metropolis. As you book earlier, you will also get lower prices without paying any surcharges like those for late bookings and high demand periods.


In the off season (fall and winter), rental prices drop substantially renting an econo car for as little as €10 to €15 per day. On the other hand summer months (June to September) are the busy period demand is higher and daily there are rates up to €30-45 or even more for basic models. Extras such as GPS systems, child seats, or automatic transmission vehicles are a few more. To escape unexpected fees, it is area to select a pay option at off as a full fuel tank full fuel policy.

To save money on car rentals in Sardinia, book early, at least two months before you need it and rent directly from an airport location where rates are usually cheaper compared to city office. You can also compare prices on other platforms such as Discover Cars or Kayak. For travelers on longer stay, though, it is worth asking about weekly or monthly discount to further keep prices low and to have the freedom to explore Sardinia on the go with a car.

Sardinia’s Scenic Drives: These are must experience routes for nature lovers.

Sardinia boasts some of the most scenic drives in Europe, offering breathtaking views of its coastline, mountains, and countryside. For nature lovers, the northeast’s Costa Smeralda features such routes as the drive up the Po River in the Porto Viro lagoon area and the panoramic road along the Costa del Sud, to name but two. Home to both turquoise waters and white sand beaches mixed with rugged cliffs and rolling hills, these drives showcase how diverse Sardinia’s landscapes are and which would be highlights of any trip to the country.


The Costa Smeralda route between glamorous seaside towns of Porto Cervo and Palau takes you through crystal clear waters and displays the backdrop of stunning beaches, luxury yachts, and expensive old aristocratic residences. For a rougher experience, take SP71 south from Chia until you get to Porto Teulada in the south west of Sardinia. Dramatic cliffs, hidden coves like Cala Piscinnì and unspoilt beaches like Spiaggia Tuerredda are only a few of that winding coastal road.

But for those after a different look of Sardinia’s natural beauty, inland routes also offer stunning scenery. Gola di Gorropu canyon (Europe’s deepest gorge) and pretty villages like Orgosolo, famed for its murals, are in the Supramonte highlands near Nuoro. If you like a coastal view or mountainous landscape, renting a car is a way to really enjoy Sardinia’s beauty fully.

Cycling and Walking in Sardinia: Can They Replace a Car?

Cycling and walking in Sardinia can be enjoyable but are not practical substitutes for a car if you aim to explore the island comprehensively. With the island so large and with such rugged terrain and remote location, some of these modes of transport are limited by the sheer size of the island; they can slow you down or take you much more slowly to some attractions. Cycling and walking are excellent for short routes or trips out along the coast or along nature trails, but they obviously don’t have the convenience and access of a car to get you around Sardinia’s varied landscapes.


For those in with cycling in the bloodstream, Sardinia is a fine place to grab some squeaky handlebars, but the best cycling is to be had on scenic coastal roads or country lanes. The Costa Smeralda is popular for its beautiful sea views, while the inland Gennargentu National Park, for its tough mountain paths. But these routes involve steeper climbs and are long distances between towns, so are best for the more experienced cyclist. There are also no bike lanes in many rural roads and it’s not easy to share a road with motor vehicle. Sardinia boasts beautiful hiking trails in Supramonte, or up and down the Golfo di Orosei, but they’re too recreational to serve any practical purpose for transportation by walkers.

Statics speak for themselves, while cycling and walking have obvious limitations as means of reaching multiple destinations in Sardinia for a tourist. In rural areas public transport options are few and far between and cyclists and walkers depend on their own endurance to reach a remote beach or archaeological site. Hiring a car remains the best way to explore Sardinia’s off the beaten track gems but there are still opportunities to park and cycle and walk there. Best is to combine these activities with driving, to have adventure and at the same time to be accessible.

Sardinia’s Taxi Services: Are They a Reputable Substitute to Renting a Car?

Taxi services in Sardinia are available but are not a reliable or cost-effective alternative to renting a car for most travelers. Due to a distance between the places far away from each other and little opportunity to find a taxi outside of the biggest towns such as Cagliari, Olbia, or Alghero, taxis are generally expensive. Although they can be useful for local trips around urban areas or to an airport, taxis are not suitable for travelling through rural areas or to various attractions across the island.


Sardinia taxi fares are amongst the highest in Italy, with km costs setting you back somewhere in the region of €3-5/km when climbing into the back of the cab and further charges for baggage or night time rides. For example travelling one way from Cagliari to Villasimius (about 50 km) costs over €100. In addition, taxis are rare in small towns and rural areas and thus can’t be found without prior booking. There are very few options when it comes to spontaneous travel around the island and the ride hailing apps such as Uber aren’t widely available in the island.

And renting a car for tourists planning to visit remote beaches like Cala Luna, or historical landmarks like Su Nuraxi di Barumini is way more practical and cheaper than taking a cab. Renting a car gives you the flexibility to see as much or as little as you like without concern of availability or expense. Taxis may of course serve a purpose for certain cases, for instance if you need to get to the airport or across town but they cannot substitute for being able to get around Sardinia quickly and inexpensively via one’s own vehicle.

Exploring Rural Sardinia: Why Cars are necessary for those remote areas.

Having a car is essential for exploring rural Sardinia due to the island’s limited public transport network and the remoteness of many attractions. But there is no shortage of rural experiences, either, here: try the Gennargentu mountains or even a small inland village like Orgosolo (it is really tough to do such as these without renting some form of private transportation). Travel by car means you can be comfortable among these regions, and discover undisturbed natural landscapes, as well as agriturismi and ancient nuraghi (stone towers).


Rural parts of Sardinia are rarely visited by public buses and most routes concentrate on linking larger towns and cities. Even if buses run in these areas, they are far from convenient, being infrequent and inconvenient for tourists trying to use their time on the island efficiently. What’s more, quite a lot of Sardinia’s most brilliant spots – think private coves encircled by cliff along the sea, or mountain paths – aren’t close by the main roads or bus halts. Across town, or even across the state, these would be places that would take long walks or even expensive taxi rides without a car.

In addition to driving through rural Sardinia, it also creates a better travel experience, by letting you make scenic detours and stop at local markets, wineries, or historical sites during your drive. These areas typically have good roads, however they are often narrow and winding, so that renting a compact car will make driving in these areas far easier. Effortlessly immerse yourself in the richness of Sardinia’s culture and nature with your own vehicle, and take advantage of the freedom to go to the remotest places without a schedule.

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