A Guide To Renting A Car In Alghero

Are you thinking of renting a car in Alghero? You have landed on the right pace. I live in Cagliari, Sardinia and whenever my friends visit, we go on a road trip around the island to explore all its beauty.

One of the places I enjoy visiting the most is Alghero, a city in northwestern Sardinia with a strong Catalan heart. Centuries of Catalan domination have shaped it into a unique town, with special features in its architecture and culture – people still speak Catalan (alongside Italian, of course).

Alghero is a small town and if you are only staying for a weekend and don’t plan on exploring further afield, you are unlikely to need a car rental in Alghero.

However, renting a car in Alghero is a great idea if you want to have the chance to explore the city’s surroundings – from pretty beaches to ancient ruins, from famous wineries to panoramic cliffs and beautiful caves – at your own pace.

When renting a car in Alghero (and anywhere else I travel) I use Discover Cars. I think this is the best comparison site. It is a very powerful search engine that looks for local and international companies and finds the best deals for you. Discover Cars also has free cancellation up to 48 hours before you are due to pick up the car, and a very budget-friendly full coverage policy.

Continue reading this post for my guide on car hire in Alghero. I will explain you why you should do it, and give you my expert tips on how to rent a car in Alghero. I have done it a million times and know all the tricks.

Make sure to also read my post A Guide To Renting A Car In Sardinia.

Not sure you want to rent a car? My post The Best Way To Get Around Sardinia gives you more options.

Why Renting A Car In Alghero Is A Great Idea

Public transportation will only take you so far

Despite public transportation in the area of Alghero being actually quite good (there are buses that will take you to the nearby beaches and archeological sites), renting a car in Alghero is still the best option if you are planning to explore what’s outside the city.

Trust me, you won’t regret it!

While buses will take you to most places, in some cases there are only a handful of buses a day – which means that if you want to take a day trip out of the city, of if you want move around Sardinia during your trip, you have to do some careful planning that won’t allow for any mistakes.

When you rent a car in Alghero you aren’t tied to the bus schedules and can drive around freely. If you visit a place you like, you can stay as long as you want without having to worry about taking the last bus back to town. Imagine having to cut short a sunset date because you are worried about the bus!

Finally, if you travel with a lot of luggage or if you are visiting Sardinia with your children, traveling by bus or by train in Sardinia is definitely not ideal.

My post How To Travel By Public Transport In Sardinia gives you a more accurate idea of what it’s like to travel by bus or train around Sardinia.

There are a lot of places to visit just outside Alghero

I have often said that Sardinia is an excellent destination for road trips – and Alghero offers some of the best scenic drives in Sardinia.

The charming Bosa is only an hour drive from Alghero, but the drive will wow you multiple times and having your own car rental in Alghero will allow you to go at your own pace and stop as often as you want – when my friend Chrysoula visited, we stopped a bunch of times along the way to take photos.

Renting a car in Alghero will also give you more freedom to visit places such as the Capo Caccia Cliff and Neptune’s Caves, which are especially beautiful at sunset, or the Palmavera Nuraghe, Anghelu Ruju Necropolis and the Sella & Mosca Winery.

These are all destinations you are better off reaching by car: local transportation will be time consuming. If you want to enjoy the local gems, you necessarily have to rent a car in Alghero.

Finally, there are the many beaches near Alghero that are better off reached by car.

Again, public buses get to the most popular ones near the city (or you can get there by bike, if you are brave enough to ride on a road where drivers aren’t always respectful of bikers), but having your own car will allow you reach those that are a bit further away such as the famous La Pelosa or Rena Majore.

Have I convinced you? Head over to Discover Cars to check the prices of car rental in Alghero and see what you can get for a very reasonable fee.

How To Rent A Car In Alghero

Now that you know why renting a car in Alghero is a great idea, let me share some precious tips gathered from years of car rental experience in Sardinia and elsewhere. Car rental in Alghero is easy and straightforward, as long as you know what to expect.

Quick overview

Before I get into more details, here is a quick overview of the steps you need to follow when renting a car in Alghero.

Rent a car online via Discover Cars

My first tip when looking to hire a car in Alghero is to use a comparison site that will find the best rates for you. There are many comparison sites, and I have used many with varying results. One (that I’d rather not name) has such a bad customer service that after a terrible experience years ago I refuse to use it now.

My favorite comparison site for car rental is Discover Cars. I use them all the time, and they never let me down.

Here is a step by step guide to snatch the best rental car in Alghero:

Start by putting your details in. This is where you need to state the dates you will be renting a car in Alghero, the exact pick up location (for example you can rent a car in Alghero Airport) and where you want to return it (it can be a different location).

Then, you should filter your search by ratings. I recommend going for 8 out of 10 as a minimum. There’s a reason some car rental companies in Alghero have low ratings: their service is not good or they may have hidden fees. Paying a bit extra will give you peace of mind.

You can also filter by car – you can pick between an economy car or something a bit more comfortable or bigger. If there’s just two of you traveling, an economy car such as a Fiat Panda is perfectly fine for your Alghero trip.

Finally, select Full Coverage – it’s an additional €10 daily fee that covers damages to the car, repair work, broken glasses, lost keys etc.

The engine will then give you a list of cars available for your requirements, and the corresponding prices.

My favorite car-rental comparison site is Discover Cars. It searches the prices of all car rental companies (including smaller local ones) and gives you the best prices for your requested filters. You can enjoy free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick-up time.

Do you need Full Coverage insurance when renting a car in Alghero?

I would say so. Alghero is a safe town, but you really never know what can happen during your trip. You may have the most perfect, relaxing time but you also may end up facing nuisances and that’s when having an extra insurance comes in handy.

Depending on your credit card company, you may already have your own insurance. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that the car rental company in Alghero will accept it and by law you need to have insurance any time you rent a car in Italy.

My recommendation is to get Full Coverage via Discover Cars, which covers you for any liabilities (for example in case you get into a car accident with your rental car). Full Coverage insurance is in the range €10 per day. It may seem a lot, but it’s actually cheaper than getting insurance directly with the car rental company.

Other things Full Coverage includes are:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), which protects you in case of accidents;
• Personal Liability insurance;
• Medical expenses for all passengers in case of an accident;
• Theft protection;
• Damages to the body of the car;
• Towing expenses.

On the other hand, Full Coverage does not include damage to the interior parts of the car, cleaning fees, and damage caused by the driver when not adhering to the terms and conditions of the car rental policy.

Will car rental companies in Alghero accept Discover Cars Full Coverage policy?

Some car rental companies in Alghero – well, anywhere really – may try to push their full coverage policy even if you already have one via Discover Cars.

If you already have full coverage, you don’t have to buy anything else, but the company will hold an additional deposit of around €3000 that will be returned once you drop off the car (as long as it has no damages).

On the other hand, if when you drop off the car there is a damage, you need to file a claim with Discover Cars (you can do it via their website or via their app which is available for free on both Android and iOS) and within 48 hours you get your reimbursement.

Best pick up location when renting a car in Alghero

I recommend you rent a car in Alghero Airport (one of the three Sardinian airports). Lots of people would tell you it is cheaper to get a car directly in town or recommend getting it in a lesser known nearby village, but the money saved would be so little (you’d still have to find – and pay for – some form of private transport to get there) and the time wasted so much, that it really is not convenient after all.

Spare yourself the hassle and rent a car in Alghero Airport.

Before landing in Alghero (way before, indeed), there are a few things you should know.

First of all, book your car rental in Alghero well in advance, especially if you are planning to visit during the peak season – typically between June and September and in the week around Easter.

Landing at Alghero Fertilia Airport with no car rental reservations and expecting to find a cheap car to rent is utopian – not to mention, in some cases you may not find a car at all.

The availability of rental cars in Sardinia is actually more limited compared to other places in Italy, and that’s because Sardinia is an island. Prices are also a bit higher compared to the rest of Italy. So, do yourself the favor and rent as much in advance as you can to land a decent deal.

I recommend using Discover Cars to find the best car rental deals in Alghero.

You will find the offices of car rental in Alghero Airport next to the baggage claim area, and the employees will guide you through the process.

Once you have completed the various verifications and payments, inspect your car before leaving the airport, when the rent-a-car employee is still with you.

Take any photos of even the most minor scratch. Sometimes, it can happen that – if no proof is found – they will make you pay for damages you didn’t do once you bring the car back. You don’t want any unpleasant surprise.

While I have suggested that airport is the best pick-up location, keep in mind that you can give the car back anywhere (for example, in Cagliari Airport), as long as it’s an office from the same car rental chain.

Head over to Discover Cars to check out the prices of car rental in Alghero.

Best car rental companies in Alghero

Alghero Airport has the offices of all major international and national car rental companies – Herzt, Locauto, Sicily by Car, Budget, Avis, Sixt, Maggiore, Welcome Cars and Europcar all have offices there, along with some lesser known companies such as Autonoleggio Sardinya and Ruvioli.

I appreciate that checking out the prices of renting a car from each and every company is quite time consuming, so I recommend using Discover Cars to compare the various offerings.

How far in advance should you rent a car in Alghero?

Some readers email me in August to complain about the prices of car rental in Alghero, or to ask me for insider tips to find a cheap deal.

My answer is always the same: other than what’s written in this post, I have nothing to add.

The key to find a cheap car rental in Alghero is to book in advance. Don’t expect to find a good last minute deal or, even worse, land in Alghero and walk out of the airport with a fantastic deal on your rental car unless you have done your research well ahead of time, especially if you are traveling in the peak season (June, July, August and September).

When traveling to Alghero, you really need to look for a car in advance. In fact, book your car as soon as you have secured the flights, especially if you are traveling in the summer.

Which car should you rent?

Which car best suits your needs hugely depends on the type of trip you are planning. If you travel alone or just with a partner of friend, an economy car such as a Fiat Panda or Fiat Cinquecento will do its job just right, but if you are traveling with friends or family, you can’t expect to fit everyone inside a minicar!

A small car is more than enough if you just want to visit the surroundings of Alghero, and it’s ideal to find a parking spot where parking isn’t always easy.

You could even consider an electric car if you don’t want to get too far from the city: they are easy to drive and can circulate in the limited traffic areas – which is to say, the city center and some other crowded places. You can park it easily and recharge it often: almost every parking lot has at least some recharging stations.

If your itinerary includes more explorations, one-day trips, and the like, a bigger car is the best choice: you can fit more luggage (and people, if needed) and drive more comfortably.

Ready to rent a car in Alghero? Check out the prices of car rental on Discover Cars.

How much does it cost to rent a car in Alghero?

When readers complain that renting a car in Alghero is too expensive, I conclude that they are trying to make last minute bookings and / or they are looking to rent a car in Alghero during the peak of the peak season.

Yes, renting a car in Alghero (and in Sardinia in general) is a bit more expensive than renting a car in Italy. After all, Sardinia is an island and there’s limited availability.

If you are looking to rent a car in Alghero in the peak summer months, an economy car costs around €30 per day, plus around €10 per day for full coverage.

On the other hand, renting a car in Alghero in the fall and winter months is much cheaper and you can get deals for just €10 per day.

Things that can bring up the cost of your rental car in Alghero include:

• Additional driver;
• Navigation system;
• Automatic transmission car;
• Child or infant seat;
• Drop off location different from pick up one.

How old do you need to be to rent a car in Alghero?

The age requirement is the same as in the rest of Italy: you must be 21 to rent a car in Alghero. If you have had your license for at least a year, some companies will allow you to rent a car even when you are 18. In most cases, there is a surcharge for drivers under 25 years old.

There is no maximum age limit but some companies will not allow drivers who are older than 75 or 80 to rent a car.

Documents needed to rent a car in Alghero

You’d be surprised at how many people overlook the basic documentation needed when renting a car in Alghero (or elsewhere).

This is a list of the documents you must have in good order:

• A valid driving license.
• If you don’t have an EU driver’s license, you need to have an International Driver’s License. This is a requirement in all of Italy. The rental car company in Alghero may not ask for it, but you still have to have it.
• A credit card – some companies (very few) will allow you to rent a car with just a debit card.
• Your passport.
• Insurance policy.

Useful Tips When Renting A Car In Alghero

Inspect the car before driving off

Never rush when inspecting your rental car. Make sure someone from the car rental company is with you to take notes of every scratch or bump in the car, and take photos if relevant – you don’t want to pay any fine for damaging the car if it was already like that.

Make sure to also note down how much fuel is in the tank. It’s better to rent a full-to-full car to avoid any issue.

Be on time when you return the car

Alghero is small, and if you are only staying in the city and its surroundings it won’t take you more than 30 minutes to get to the airport. But if you have a flight to catch, you want to be extra safe just in case there’s traffic on the way, or if there is a line at the desk.

You need to go through the car again at this point, before you can leave.

Driving to and from the airport

Driving from Alghero Airport to the city center takes about 20 minutes. Once you have picked up your car, take State Road SP 44 to Alghero, turn left and take SS 291. After about 15 minutes, turn into SP 42 at the first roundabout. You’ll be in Alghero in no time, from there.

My How To Get From Fertilia Airport To Alghero gives more detailed information.

Where to park your car in Alghero

There are different types of parking spots in Alghero and you should be careful about some.

It isn’t always easy to find parking in Alghero, so it’s best to ask the hotel or the owner of the apartment where you will be staying to point out a nearby parking space, just to make sure.

Otherwise, you will find a large (paid) parking lot in Piazzale della Pace, which is walking distance to the historic center and on your way coming from the airport.

Be sure to respect the rules on parking: pay attention to the lines’ colors on the pavement. White lines indicate a free parking spot; blue lines are for the places where you can park but have to pay an hourly or daily fee, and the yellow lines are for disabled drivers.

Never, ever park on a yellow parking spot: not only it’s a sign of no respect to those who actually need that parking spot, but you will also be fined up to €700. You’d better drive a little bit more and find a suitable spot.

Things to know about driving in Alghero

Alghero is a small town so driving there is never too challenging, except in the peak summer months when it can get really busy.

The main thing you need to keep in mind is that the city has some historic areas where the streets are narrow and difficult to steer in (but chances are that’s part of the limited traffic area, and you can’t access it by car anyways).

Like in the rest of Sardinia, there are lots of roundabouts and traffic lights; and is can get very crowded, both with people and cars, in the summer and at weekends.

With regards to limited traffic areas, it’s important to point out you can’t drive around every corner in Alghero: like other cities in Italy, there are ZTL to be taken into consideration.

ZTLs are limited-traffic zones that are created to preserve the historic areas of the cities, from excessive smog and more generally to guarantee a safe area to walk around for pedestrians.

The only cars allowed to drive in a ZTL throughout the day are electric cars and those of residents. Others will have the chance to drive through only at certain times – you can usually read the off limit times (and thus imply the hours during which you can drive through) on the signs that delimitate the ZTL.

Keep in mind the local driving regulations, such as speed limits and parking rules. Many areas in the city have 30 km/h speed limits and it’s not uncommon to find a speed camera hidden somewhere – be careful not to catch a fine, and drive safely.

My post A Guide To Driving In Sardinia provides more insightful information on the experience of driving around the island.

Further Readings

Are you planning a trip to Alghero? These posts will be useful:

• What To See And Do In Alghero
• A Perfect Itinerary For A Weekend In Alghero
• The Best Beaches In Alghero
• How To Get From Cagliari To Alghero
• A Guide To Renting A Car In Olbia
• A Guide To Renting A Car In Cagliari
• The Best Hotels In Alghero
• The Best Airbnbs In Alghero
• The Best Restaurants In Alghero
• A Guide To Cantine Sella & Mosca

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