Wondering whether you should rent a car in Olbia, Sardinia? You’ve come to the right place!
Sardinia is one of those places where you need a car to get around, as there are very little public transport options.
Luckily, renting a car in Olbia is easier than you think! This guide will give you all the best tips and tricks to make sure you get the best rental car in Olbia.
Personally, I can’t recommend Discover Cars enough for anyone looking for a car rental in Olbia, Sardinia!
Contents
Driving in Sardinia Italy
The rock shaped bear of Capo d Orso with Palau and the islands of Maddalena Archipelago in the background
Should You Rent A Car In Olbia?
Sardinia is one of my favourite travel destinations ever, and because I’ve been going there since I was a kid, I know the island like the back of my hand.
Despite how many tourists travel here each year, the island has very little in place when it comes to public transport.
There are loads of beaches that are impossible to get to without a car, like these hidden Sardinian beaches, and even between the towns buses run super infrequently and they can be pretty unreliable.
Renting a car will give you loads of flexibility and put the island’s best beaches back on the map!
The one drawback is that there are no highways in the north of Sardinia, so you’ll be driving on winding country roads with just two lanes the whole trip.
Enjoying my catamaran cruise in the natural pools of Budelli Sardinia Italy
If you’re not a super confident driver, the island can be a little tricky to navigate.
Another thing to bear in mind is that during rush hours and at weekends the roads can get super busy. Luckily, there’s always breath-taking scenery around you so you can distract yourself if you’re stuck in traffic!
The only time I wouldn’t recommend getting a car on a trip to Sardinia is if you’re planning to stay at a resort and laze the days away on their private beach or if you’re only looking to visit one town and you’re happy to make do with the local beaches.
Personally, I always rent a car when I’m in Sardinia, and I think that you should rent a car in Olbia if you want to make the most of the island!
Enjoying the view over the clear water of Cala Coticcio in Sardinia, Italy
Getting Started
The best way to rent a car in Olbia is using the Discover Cars website.
They’ll find all the cars available at your pick-up location, compare the prices offered by different companies, give you an overall rating based on other travellers reviews, and let you know of any extra perks like free additional drivers or zero deposit offers!
There are loads of different car rental companies on the site. Alamo, Locauto, Autovia, and Vettura are some of the most common.
The only company I’d be wary of is Italy Car Rent, as they don’t have the best reviews.
Check out prices, reviews and availability of different car rentals in Olbia here!
Chilling with my friends during a dinghy tour of Asinara Island in Sardinia, Italy
The great thing is you can pick up your car rental at Olbia Airport, so you won’t have to go out of your way to get the cheapest rental car!
In the off-peak season, you can easily find car rentals for as little as 30 EUR a day. Even in the peak season you can find great deals for around 45 EUR a day!
That said, I’d recommend booking a little more in advance if you’re visiting Sardinia in summer, from July to August, when most tourists come to the island.
Planning a winter escape and don’t mind the cooler weather? You’ll find cars for as little as 20 EUR a day! Although winter isn’t the best time to visit Sardinia, you’re definitely guaranteed cheaper prices.
Discover Cars is great because it compares the most competitive prices for you, which makes planning easy and hassle-free.
Click here to find the best deal on your Olbia car rental!
Swimming in Sardinia, Italy, shot on DJI Spark
Admiring the beautiful Cala Soraya from our boat tour
Requirements and Documentation
Renting a car in Sardinia is simple. You’ll just need to bring along your driving license and a form of valid ID (like your passport for example!).
The only exception is for people who have a driving license that was issued outside of Europe, in which case you’ll need to get an international driving license permit.
Bear in mind that you need to get your international driving license permit in your home country before you head off on your holiday! If you arrive without one you won’t be able to pick-up your car I’m afraid.
Wondering about age restrictions? To rent a car in Sardinia, you have to be at least 21 years old. It’s not unusual for anyone under the age of 25 to face some additional fees.
Car Rental Tips
Choose Your Pick-Up And Drop-Off Locations Wisely
Once you decide your itinerary, you’ll want to think about your pick-up and drop-off locations, and choose them wisely to optimise your driving times.
If you’re just staying in the area around Olbia and travelling from there, you can get the car and drop it off again at the airport.
If you’re doing a wider Sardinia itinerary, like this 7-day itinerary, it will make more sense to pick-up your car in Olbia and then return it in Alghero for example, to avoid too much driving back and forth.
That way you’ll save loads of time having to drive back to where you started!
Relaxing on the nets of the catamaran we cruised in Maddalena Archipelago with at the Cavaliere Beach
Record The State Of Your Car On Pick Up
Another top tip is to always take photos and videos when you get your car.
If you notice any scratches or problems make sure they’re super visible in the pictures, that way you won’t have any problems when you drop the car back off.
You don’t want to end up paying for someone else’s driving mistakes!
Click here to find the best deal on your Olbia car rental!
Cala Corsara on the island of Spargi in Sardinia, Italy
Choose The Right Car For You
Don’t just go for the cheapest car, make sure the model is right for your trip! It’s always tempting to just rush ahead and rent the cheapest car available.
Bear in mind some of the roads down to the best beaches in Sardinia are bumpy dirt tracks, so having something that’s higher and suited to some off-roading will be a plus.
Check out prices, reviews and availability of different car rentals in Olbia here!
The famous caves of Cala Gonone in Sardinia, Italy
Relax and unwind with nature at the Cala Luna in the Golfo di Orosei, Italy
Car Options and Insurance
Make sure to get full insurance for your trip and bring your credit card with you, otherwise you might have to pay a huge deposit fee when you pick up the car.
It’s also not worth cutting costs on your insurance, it’s no fun worrying about scratching your rental car all trip!
You’ll easily be able to rent either a manual or automatic car in Italy. Locals drive manuals and they tend to be the cheaper option, but there are loads of automatic models to choose from if you don’t mind paying a little extra.
There aren’t any super mountainous or steep roads where you’d need a manual, so pick whatever you’re more comfortable driving.
Kayaking in the Golfo di Oresei, Italy
Driving in Sardinia
Here are some things you should be aware of when driving in Sardinia, and my top tips to ensure you don’t have any issues with your car rental.
1. First of all, remember you’ll be driving on the right hand side! If you’re from the UK that might take some getting used to.
2. Get a look out for ZTL (zone a traffico limitato) areas. These are roads, usually in town centers, which you can only drive on if you have a special permit. Drive through without it and you’ll likely get a fine!
3. You’ll be driving at 50 km per hour on most roads in Sardinia, but keep a look out for 30 km per hour signs as the speed limit drops in the towns and along more dangerous roads.
4. There aren’t any tolls in Sardinia – yippie! Because the island doesn’t have any highways, you don’t need to worry about spending your Italy travel budget on tolls.
Sailing in Sardinia in June
The crystal clear water of Cala Soraja, Spargi
5. Be prepared to fork out on parking costs. You have to pay to park pretty much everywhere in Sardinia.
For some beaches, you have to book a parking spot online ahead of time, whilst at others there’ll be a very unofficial-looking worker who you pay (even if you’re just parked on the side of a dirt track!).
It’s not worth trying to avoid parking costs though as it’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll get a parking ticket, especially in peak season.
Because of this, everything you know about parking stripes pretty much goes out the window in Sardinia. At busy beach parking lots, any spot that can fit a car is considered a paid spot. Make sure you always have some cash with you!
An over / under water photo taken with a Telesin GoPro dome
6. Get ready to take on a lot of bendy roads. Sardinia’s roads weave through the landscape, so they’re incredibly windy!
They can be tricky to drive if you’re not used to them, so drive carefully and take it slow. Hopefully, you’re not someone who gets easily carsick…
Click here to find the best deal on your Olbia car rental!
Sunset in Porto Pollo, Italy
Safety And Awareness
Sardinia is a super safe holiday destination, so you don’t have much to worry about. Follow these basic safety tips and you’ll be fine:
1. Don’t leave your valuables in the car, especially in visible places like on the front seat. Opportunistic theft can happen anywhere, so don’t take any chances.
2. Don’t drink (at all!) and drive. Because Sardinia’s roads are so windy and unpredictable, I’d recommend not even risking having ‘just one’ if you’re driving.
3. Keep to your side of the road. It can be hard to see what’s coming round the corner on sharp bends and Italian drivers can be a little crazy and drive in the middle of the road, so keep well on your side!
An over / under water photo taken with a Telesin GoPro dome
Sardinia Destination Suggestions
There are so many picture-perfect white sand beaches and cute towns in Sardinia it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few, but I’ll do my best.
Here are my favourite places in Sardinia, which I highly recommend you check out once you have your Sardinian car rental!
Maddalena Archipelago
Amongst the must-sees in Sardinia is the Maddalena Archipelago in the north of the island. It’s truly stunning, and often features on everyone’s Italy bucket list too.
You can only drive on the islands of Maddalena and Caprera, the other islands you can only reach by boat, but you’ll still need to drive to Palau to catch your boat!
There are numerous breathtaking beaches in the archipelago, like Cala Soraya – my absolute favourite! Check out my boat tour guide to find out everything you need to know.
The natural pools of the Archipelago of Maddalena at the start of July (not completely overflowing with boats yet!)
Relaxing on Cala Soraja in Spargi Island, Italy
Palau
Just outside Palau, and only reachable by car, is the iconic Capo d’Orso. You’ll have to hike up a little hill to reach the bear-shaped boulder, but it’s worth it for the stunning views over the coast and town of Palau!
You’ll even catch glimpses of islands in the distance.
Check out prices, reviews and availability of different car rentals in Olbia here!
The view from inside the belly of Capo d Orso Rock Bear in Palau Italy
Golfo di Orosei
On the west you’ll find the epic beaches that make up the Golfo di Orosei.
Drive to your dinghy tour pick-up location and go on an epic day-trip out to Cala Luna and Cala Mariolu, idyllic beaches framed by towering limestone cliffs.
Wizz around in your rental car and check out adorable villages like the colorful town of Castelsardo and epic beach towns like Cala Gonone.
Exploring the Golfo di Orosei and Cala Luna by kayak in Sardinia, Italy
La Pelosa Beach
Check out the awesome tower that’s made La Pelosa Beach so famous. You can drive right up to the beach, a rarity in Sardinia.
Bear in mind you’ll have to book your parking ahead of time, and there are ticketed access to restrict tourism during the peak season.
Click here to find the best deal on your Olbia car rental!
Chilling at the famous La Pelosa Beach in Stintino
Gorropu Gorge
Don’t leave without a trip to Gorropu Gorge! From the parking lot, you can ditch the car and hike through the maze-like trails flanked by limestone walls that reach up to 500 meters at points!
These are just some of the awesome places you wouldn’t be able to reach without a car. So don’t think twice, use Discover Cars to find the best car rental at Olbia Airport and start exploring!
Looking for inspiration? My Sardinia 7-day itinerary includes all the top highlights!
Hiking at Gorropu Gorge in Sardinia
Final Thoughts On Renting A Car In Olbia
Sardinia is one of those destinations where renting a car is a must. I’d recommend you use Discover Cars to find the cheapest car rental at Olbia Airport.
There are loads of car rentals to choose from so whatever budget you’re on, there’s a car for you!
Once you’ve got your wheels, get ready for an epic holiday that will take you to hidden beaches, through limestone gorges, and to some of Italy’s most charming coastal towns.
Compared to other areas of Italy, where you can easily get around with trains and public transport, Sardinia is one of those places where you really have to rent a car, otherwise you just won’t be able to see as much.
If your Italy itinerary focuses more on the big cities, like Florence, Rome, Milan, Venice, or even smaller destinations like Tuscany, Cinque Terre or Lake Como, then you don’t need a car. But for Sardinia, you definitely need one.
Have you rented a car at Olbia Airport before? Or gone to Sardinia on a road trip? Let me know in the comments below!
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