Booking a Rental Car in Sardinia: What to Watch For
A rental car is practically essential in Sardinia (see our article on driving in Sardinia) – but the booking itself has a few pitfalls that are easy to avoid with a bit of preparation.
Deposit and excess
At pickup, a deposit of several hundred euros is usually placed on your credit card (blocked, not charged) – a valid credit card in the main driver's name is practically a requirement. The full coverage insurance included in the rental price often has a high excess; separate add-on insurance (bought online in advance) is often noticeably cheaper than the add-ons offered at the counter.
Minimum age and young driver fee
Many rental companies require a minimum age of 21 to 25, often with a surcharge ("young driver fee") for drivers under 25. If more than one person will drive the car, list all drivers as additional drivers at booking – informally handing over the wheel is risky from an insurance standpoint.
Fuel policy
The fairest and most common option is "full/full": the car is handed over full and must be returned full. Other policies (e.g. "full/empty") are usually more expensive for renters if the tank isn't genuinely empty at return.
Pickup: airport or city office?
Picking up directly at the airport (see our airports article) is usually more convenient, but can come with a surcharge compared to a city-centre branch. If you're flexible, compare both options before booking.
Book early
In peak season (July/August), rental cars in Sardinia can be booked out weeks in advance or noticeably more expensive – if you know your travel dates, book early, even if the trip itself is still far off.