Sardinia car rental

The minimum age to rent a car in Sardinia is typically 21 years. Drivers aged 21–24 may face a young driver surcharge of €10–30 per day. Some premium and luxury vehicles require the driver to be at least 25. Always check the specific rental company's age policy before booking.

For the best rates, we recommend booking your rental car in Sardinia at least 3–6 weeks ahead. During peak season (June–September) or major events, booking 2–3 months in advance is advisable. Early booking not only guarantees availability but also unlocks lower prices and a wider choice of vehicles.

Most rental companies in Sardinia offer a grace period of 30–59 minutes. Beyond that, you will be charged for an additional day. To avoid unexpected costs, plan your return time carefully. If you know you'll be late, contact the rental office — they may extend your booking at a lower rate than the late-return penalty.

The excess (or deductible) is the maximum amount you'd pay out of pocket if the car is damaged or stolen. In Italy, this typically ranges from €500 to €2,000 depending on the vehicle class. You can reduce or eliminate the excess by purchasing additional coverage such as Super CDW or booking full-coverage insurance through Cars Scanner.

Parking options in Sardinia include:

• Street parking — metered zones, typically €1–3/hour
• Public car parks — €5–20/day depending on location
• Hotel parking — often available for guests at €10–25/night

Always check signage carefully. Blue zones require a parking disc, and illegally parked cars may be towed. Many city centres have restricted access zones.

Many rentals in Sardinia come with unlimited mileage, especially for weekly bookings. However, some economy deals may include a daily cap (e.g. 200–300 km/day) with extra charges per kilometre beyond the limit. Always check the mileage policy in your booking confirmation — unlimited mileage offers the best value for longer trips.

This depends on the fuel policy you selected:

• Full-to-full — the most common and economical option. You receive the car with a full tank and must return it full.
• Full-to-empty — you pay for a full tank upfront and can return it empty, but this is usually more expensive.

Always check your rental agreement. Returning a “full-to-full“ car without refuelling results in a costly per-litre surcharge.

Yes, most rental companies allow cross-border travel within the EU/Schengen area, though you typically need to declare this when booking. Some countries (e.g. Eastern Europe) may be excluded or require extra insurance. A cross-border fee of €30–100 may apply. Always inform the rental company of your travel plans to ensure you're fully covered.