Local Transport

Rental Car — Indispensable

A rental car is practically essential on Sardinia — the island is 270 km long and 145 km wide, the most beautiful beaches and villages are off the main roads, and public transport is patchy. Sardinia has excellent roads (the main routes SS131 and SS131d are highway-like and toll-free!), and driving is much more relaxed than on the Italian mainland.

Prices: From €25/day (small car, off-season) to €70/day (SUV, high season August). Fully comprehensive insurance without excess is highly recommended — gravel roads to remote beaches are rocky. Note: In the high season (July/August), rental cars are often fully booked — book early! Local providers are sometimes cheaper than international chains.

Driving Style: Sardinians drive more calmly than on the mainland — there's less honking and pushing here. Be cautious on country roads: sheep, goats, and wild boars regularly cross the road, especially at dusk. The mountain roads in Gennargentu are winding and narrow — drive slowly and honk before blind curves.

Buses (ARST)

The state bus company ARST connects the larger cities and some coastal towns. The main lines (Cagliari–Sassari, Cagliari–Nuoro, Olbia–Sassari) run several times a day. However, for smaller towns and beaches, the connections are scarce and irregular — in Barbagia, some lines run only 1–2× daily. Website: arst.sardegna.it.

Train (Trenitalia / ARST Trenino Verde)

Sardinia has a small railway network connecting the main cities: Cagliari–Oristano–Sassari and Cagliari–Iglesias. The trains are slow but inexpensive and scenically appealing. Particularly recommended: The Trenino Verde (Green Train) — historical narrow-gauge railways that travel through breathtaking landscapes: the Mandas–Arbatax route (5 hours through gorges and over viaducts) is one of the most beautiful railway lines in Europe. Not an everyday connection, but a tourist experience (May–October, reservation required).