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Good to know
- Nearest airport
- Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG)
- To city centre
- 7 km
- Parking in the centre
- Paid zones
- Main roads
- SS131 Carlo Felice, SS130
- Region
- Sardinia
- Population
- 146,692
- City IATA code
- CAG
- Time zone
- Europe/Rome
- Currency
- EUR
- Driving side
- Right-hand traffic
- Rental offices
- 5
- Rental companies
- 2
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Where to pick up a car in Cagliari
Rental desks by area, with the distance from the city centre.
Further from the centre
Offices 2San Michele
Sant'Antonio
Cagliari by car
Cagliari climbs a limestone spur above its lagoons, the Castello quarter looking down on salt pans where flamingos feed. Sardinian summers arrive early and stay late, so shade matters more than shelter for most of the year.
Driving in Cagliari
Cagliari is reached by SS131 Carlo Felice and SS130. Parking in the centre is paid and marked by zone. Streets in the old centre are narrow, a smaller car is easier.
Arriving by road
Sardinia’s main national roads start at Piazza Yenne in Cagliari: the Carlo Felice leads to Sassari and Porto Torres, motorway-like as far as Oristano, and the Orientale Sarda to Tortolì and Olbia. Entry to the centre is restricted by limited traffic zones (ZTLs) covering Castello, Marina, Villanova and both Stampace Alto and Stampace Basso, with another at Poetto.
From the airport without a car
Cagliari Elmas Airport has its own rail stop, Stazione di Elmas Aeroporto, joined to the air terminal by walkways and served by trains on the line between Decimomannu and Cagliari Central Station. Buses also run from the terminal to the main bus station on Piazza Matteotti, the city’s transport hub.
Popular searches in Cagliari
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Day trips from Cagliari
- Iglesias51 km
- Carbonia52 km
- Oristano88 km
Rules of the road in Italy
- Speed limits
- 50 / 90 / 130 km/h
- Alcohol limit
- 0.5 ‰
- Motorway tolls
- motorway tolls paid at the barrier
What kind of car do you need?
Typical capacity for the category — the exact model is confirmed by the rental company at booking.
Frequently asked questions
Italy: which side of the road do they drive on?
On the right. Speed limits are posted at the roadside and differ between towns, open roads and motorways.
Which currency will I be charged in?
Prices are usually set in EUR. The rental company sets both the price and the deposit, and shows them before you book.
Can I drive the car into another country?
Often yes within the EU, but never assume it. Crossing a border has to be allowed by the rental company and usually costs extra, so check the terms before you book.
Where do I park in the centre of Cagliari?
Parking in the centre is paid and marked by zone.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
A non-EU licence must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit.
What are the speed limits in Italy?
50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on open roads, 130 km/h on motorways.
Are the motorways tolled?
Motorways charge at the barrier. Payment is by cash, card or an electronic tag.
Where can I pick up a rental car in Cagliari?
At Cagliari: Hertz and 2 independent offices. In San Michele: Europcar. In Sant'Antonio: an independent office. More rental desks are at Cagliari Elmas Airport.