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Car hire in Sardinia makes it easier to combine beaches, inland villages and overnight stops in different parts of the island. Match your collection point to your arrival and first base: Olbia suits the north-east, Cagliari the south and Alghero the north-west.
Search with the exact collection and return locations, dates and times. Look beyond the headline rate: compare the vehicle category, mileage allowance, fuel policy, deposit and cover. Rent.it is a car hire broker that lets you compare different suppliers; the chosen rental company provides the vehicle and manages collection and return.
Arriving by ferry at Olbia, Golfo Aranci, Porto Torres or Cagliari? Check the actual rental address and how you will get there. A port arrival does not guarantee a desk at the ferry terminal or delivery beside the ship. Likewise, do not assume a city collection point is inside the railway station. Airport desk locations, any shuttle arrangements and collection instructions belong to the individual location pages and your chosen offer.
Prepare your original valid driving licence, identity document or passport, booking voucher and an accepted payment card in the main driver’s name. Check whether your licence’s country of issue means you need additional documents. A card accepted for the online payment may not be suitable for the deposit at collection. If you need to use a debit card, select an offer that explicitly accepts it for the required purposes.
Accepted cards, deposits, damage and theft excesses, cover, minimum age, licence requirements, surcharges and mileage rules can vary by supplier, location, vehicle and offer. Read the car details and rental terms before booking, including the amount required as security and how the deposit is released.
A small car can be convenient for frequent town stops, while a longer trip may call for more luggage space and passenger comfort. Check boot capacity rather than relying on the number of seats, especially when travelling with children. Request any child seats you need and select automatic transmission if that is your preference. With an electric car, plan charging around your overnight stops and the return requirements.
The SS 131 links Cagliari with the Oristano area, Sassari and Porto Torres; the SS 729 connects Sassari and Olbia. Separate longer transfers from scenic coastal drives and inland excursions when planning each day. Allow for winding sections, summer traffic and breaks, and check current road information rather than treating a navigation estimate as a fixed journey time.
Look for signs marking restricted traffic zones, known as ZTLs, and pedestrian areas before entering historic centres. Cagliari has restrictions in districts including Castello, Marina and Villanova. Parking outside the controlled area and walking can be a practical choice. At coastal car parks, check local charges, operating rules and any separate beach access requirements; a parking space does not necessarily include admission or a required reservation.
From Olbia, combine the Costa Smeralda with inland Gallura. Around Alghero, consider Capo Caccia and Bosa. In the south, build a day around Pula and Chia or head towards Villasimius and Costa Rei. For a broader itinerary, add separate stays for Oristano and the Sinis peninsula or Nuoro and Barbagia, allowing time for inland roads as well as coastal stops.
If your trip starts in Olbia and ends in Cagliari or Alghero, search for a one-way rental from the outset. Availability and additional charges depend on the offer. Confirm the return address, opening hours, fuel or charging policy and any approved out-of-hours procedure. Leave enough time for the vehicle check before your flight or sailing.
Ask the supplier before taking the car on a ferry to smaller islands, mainland Italy or Corsica. Permission for the crossing, destination, assistance and cover must be checked; Corsica also involves travel outside Italy. A ferry booking alone does not authorise you to take a rental vehicle aboard.
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