Best car hire in Sardinia and what to avoid (Important)

Let me be direct about this: Sardinia without a car is not really Sardinia. The island has trains and buses, but they barely scratch the surface. The beaches that make your jaw drop, the mountain villages where old men still play cards in the evening, the vineyards and cork forests — none of it is reachable without your own wheels. A road trip of Sardinia is the best way to explore this beautiful region of Italy.

But here is the decision that matters before you even look at a rental supplier: which airport you fly into. Sardinia has three international airports — Cagliari in the south, Olbia in the northeast, and Alghero in the northwest — and picking the wrong one can cost you both money and hours on the road.

Below is my breakdown of each airport, the suppliers I actually trust, and the one mistake that catches people out every summer.

Which Airport Saves You the Most?

This is the question I get most often when renting a car in Sardinia, and the answer depends on where you are flying from and what you want to see.

Cagliari is the capital and the busiest airport. Because it has the most competition — Ryanair, easyJet, Volotea, ITA Airways, and several others — it typically offers the lowest rental prices on the island, especially for rentals of a week or more. If your plan is to explore the south, the Barbagia mountains, or the Costa del Sud, Cagliari is the obvious starting point. The city itself is worth a night: a proper Sardinian capital with a hilltop old town and food that has nothing to do with the tourist resorts up north.

Olbia is the gateway to the Costa Smeralda. If Porto Cervo, the Maddalena Archipelago, or the northeast beaches are your destination, flying into Olbia saves you a long drive from the other airports. The airport is modern and well-organised, but rental prices reflect the high-end market. In July and August, expect to pay more here than in Cagliari for the same car.

Alghero is the smallest of the three and, in my opinion, the most underrated. The city has a Catalan-influenced old town right on the sea and is genuinely charming — only ten minutes from the terminal. For the northwest — Bosa, Neptune’s Grotto, the Coral Riviera — Alghero is perfect. Because it is the least competitive market, prices can be surprisingly good in May, June, or September. If you are flying from the UK, Alghero is often the cheapest entry point for both flights and the overall trip.

One more thing: one-way rentals between the three airports are widely available, but they come with a fee. Personally, I suggest driving to the incredible places of Sardinia as you flow in your itinerary, but then go back to the same airport you picked up the car. It’s going to be much cheaper.

Global vs Local: The Sardinia Question

Should you rent from a global brand or a local operator? In Sardinia, the locals usually win, and it is not particularly close on price. The island has excellent Italian and Sardinian operators that consistently outperform the globals on value and service. Although there are a few that have built their own business on scams.

That said, global brands offer a more modern fleet, a standardised process you already know, and better spoken English at the desk.

It is always a hard call, which is why I book through DiscoverCars, the comparison platform that works as a sort of Airbnb for car rentals. Every supplier is rated between 5 and 10 stars by real customers who actually completed a rental. I filter above 8, usually 9, and book from there.

My biggest tip: book as early as you can. Sardinia in July and August is one of the most competitive rental markets in Italy. Cancellation is free up to 48 hours before pickup, so there is no drama if your plans change, but at least you lock in the better cars and prices.

My Top Suppliers by Airport

Cagliari Elmas (CAG)

Locauto is my first recommendation — and I want to spend a moment on this because Locauto is not just good at Cagliari; it is consistently excellent across the entire island. All three Sardinian airports, the same quality, the same transparent process. They have won multiple service awards, their fleet is turned over every 6 to 8 months, and their office at Cagliari is in the building right next to the terminal. No shuttle needed.

What I particularly like is the no-pressure approach. No extras pushed at the desk, everything transparent from the booking. They also offer a zero-deposit option, which is rare and genuinely useful if you want to keep your credit card limit free during the trip. In my opinion, they are the most reliable operator on the island.

CiaRent is a solid alternative — a Sardinian local operator with competitive pricing and a straightforward process. They are located off-site but serve the airport. A good backup if Locauto is sold out or if CiaRent comes up cheaper on the comparison site.

Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB)

Locauto once again. Their desk is right at the airport, pickup is fast and pressure-free, and the cars are genuinely new. Same reasons, same quality, island-wide.

Alamo is my global pick for Olbia. Their office is in the terminal building — no shuttle, no waiting outside — and the standardised process is exactly what some travellers want on a first visit. Usually more expensive than Locauto, but consistent and reliable.

Alghero Fertilia (AHO)

Locauto again. Same recommendation, same reasons. Fast pickup, new cars, no surprises.

Europcar is a good alternative. Standard global process, modern fleet, predictable experience. The trade-off is the price — usually higher than Locauto.

My 2 cents: always cross-check current ratings on DiscoverCars before confirming. The market changes, and a current 9-star rating is more useful than any name I can give you today.

Full Insurance: Non-Negotiable in Sardinia

Should you get full insurance? Always, and especially in Sardinia.

Sardinia’s roads range from fast modern highways to narrow mountain tracks and rural lanes where the vegetation literally brushes both sides of the car. A scratch costs the same as anywhere else in Italy — €300 to €500 at drop-off without full coverage.

Your credit card or travel insurance might technically cover you, but check the excess. If it is €700 or €800, like mine, it is essentially useless for the small damage most likely to happen.

Counter insurance at the desk runs €30 to €50 per day. It works, but it can cost more than the rental itself.

I personally add full coverage during the booking on DiscoverCars for €8 to €10 per day. Zero excess, roadside assistance included, tyres and rims covered. Honestly, for this daily charge, I can have a real holiday without any stress of a final bill for a minor scratch. It’s a no-brainer in my opinion.

What to Avoid

There are many things to know when renting a car in Italy; however, three really stand out in Sardinia.

First, do not book late. I have said it already but it bears repeating. Sardinia’s summer fleet is small relative to demand. In August, walking up to a desk without a reservation is a genuine gamble.

Second, do not assume all airports are equal on price. I have seen travellers save €200 on a flight into Olbia, then spend €250 more on the rental because the Costa Smeralda market is so tight. Always compare the total cost — flight plus car — before you book.

Finally, if your flight is delayed, make sure to call the car rental office and let them know of your new estimated time of arrival; otherwise, they may rent out your car.

Final Word

Sardinia rewards the driver who plans ahead. Pick your airport based on your itinerary, not just the flight price. Lock in your car early. Stick to operators rated above 8 stars on DiscoverCars. And sort your insurance before you arrive, not at the counter.

Do that, and the island opens up in a way that buses never will. The hidden coves, the mountain villages, the vineyards that have not changed in a century.

About the Author

Stefano is a seasoned travel expert and the visionary founder of MEL365.com, a leading travel website with traffic across 6 continents. With a rich background in the travel industry, Stefano spent four pivotal years at Amadeus Travel Distribution System, gaining invaluable insights into travel technologies and distribution.