Car Rental at Alghero Airport

Alghero Airport is known by a few different names, which are mainly relative to its location. It is nearby the village of Fertilia, and is therefore referred to as Alghero-Fertilia, while the town of Alghero is the tourist capital of Coral Riviera, and the airport is therefore called Alghero Riviera del Corallo Airport. The Airport is approximately 8 km from the pleasant seaside town of Alghero, and one of the main airports on the island of Sardinia, Italy. Over one and a half million passengers make use of the airport each year, many of which are tourists coming to enjoy the beautiful and sunny beaches. The best way to travel in Sardinia is in your own rented car, and there are a number of car hire companies at. All the companies present offer quality vehicles at competitive prices.

The airport consists of a single and modern terminal building, which has the capacity to handle two million passengers per year. It has recently been completely renovated to ensure its success in the 21st century, and offers all the facilities required by its passengers. It is easy to find your way around the airport, as all arrivals (international and domestic) are handled from one side, while departures is handled from the other end of the building. The companies are all located in the arrivals area. Simply collect your luggage from one of the baggage carousels, and head to the rental counters to collect your vehicle. Staff members at your company’s office will direct you to where your vehicle is parked. 

More than ten of the best car hire companies in the world have rental offices at the airport. These companies include Sixt, known for their innovative services which help create a very simple rental process, Avis, well known for their quality vehicles, Hertz, popular for their wide range of vehicles which can be reserved by specific make and model, Budget, with a range of environmentally friendly vehicles, and Auto Europa, a company offering excellent rental rates for quality cars for hire. Other popular car hire companies include National, Easycar, Thrifty, Alamo, Dollar, Targarent and Europcar. 

Although Alghero Airport car hire vehicles can be hired directly from the offices of the company you choose, it is recommended to make an advanced reservation. This can be done online, from your car hire company’s website. They all have websites which clearly display the vehicle categories available at their rental locations, details of example vehicles in each category, and plenty of information about their rental terms and conditions. Booking online is a very easy process, simply fill in your details and requirements, and follow the instructions on the website. 

It is also advised to reserve any extra item of equipment you will be needing on your journey, such as a child car seat or satellite navigation system. All parent’s of young children should be aware that it is required by law in Italy to have youngsters securely seated within a vehicle. Car seats can also be reserved according to the age of the child, as they come in different sizes. Booster seats are for older children, while baby seats are for infants. A satellite navigation system is also recommended for customers who are traveling in unfamiliar territory. The GPS units offered by the companies are of very high quality, and come with many features that greatly contribute to an easy and enjoyable driving experience. Extra items of equipment are subject to availability, therefore they should be reserved as early as possible. 

Each company have their own rental terms and conditions, but most are very similar. All primary renters are required to be at least 21 years of age, and have a valid drivers license held for a minimum of one year in their country of residence. This license should not expire during the rental period. Some car hire companies at Alghero also request an International Driving Permit from foreign renters. A ‘young driver fee’ is applicable to all drivers registered on the rental contract between the ages of 21 and 25, and younger drivers may also not be permitted to hire from certain vehicle categories. A major credit card such as American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard / Mastercard or Visa, is required for payment of the rented vehicle. 

The major roads surrounding Alghero Airport include the SP42 motorway, the SP44 and the SS291, which is the road leading directly to the airport. All road rules and speed limits should be strictly adhered to in Sardinia, as heavy traffic fines can be issued. The speed limits in Italy are as follows:  130 km/h or 80 mph on motorways or highways, 90 km/h or 55 mph on the open roads, and 50 km/h or 30 mph in towns and residential areas. 

Although some Old Town areas of Alghero are best explored on foot, a rented car is an absolute necessity for reaching some of the most beautiful beaches nearby Alghero and Fertilia. A rented car is also wonderful when traveling between towns and cities. The car hire companies will have your rented car ready and waiting for your arrival at the airport.