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Scootering around Sardinia?

Hi everyone,

I'm visiting Sardinia for 4 days in June, staying mostly in the Northern region. I wanted to rent a car...but the smaller automatic ones are already taken, and the only other automatic options are over $1,000. I've driven manual before, but would need a lot of practice before being comfortable.
Another option is to rent a scooter. I'm comfortable driving one, but I'm more concerned with two things: (1) safety & conditions of roads in Sardinia, and (2) if scooters are allowed on all the roads. I know Italy has some rules about scooters being on major roads...I believe it used to be a limit of 150cc and now it's 125cc.

Has anyone been to Sardinia & rented a scooter (or car) who can share some insight on this? Please let me know. Thanks so much.

Posted by
2207 posts

We traveled to Sardinia - by ferry - often, then rode our motorino all over the island. We had two different motorini: a 50hp and a 125hp. Anything over 150cc, you will need a motorcycle driver's license. If you are an American - and do not have an EU license - you will need an IDP at most rental locations (if they bother to check!). Cycling through Sardinia is fun, beautiful, and depending on your ability - fairly safe. Good luck!

Posted by
15274 posts

I would practice to drive a manual transmission car. It's not that difficult, especially if you have driven one in the past.

With a 125cc scooter, power and speed is very limited (50-55 mph top speed, if the head wind cooperates and the road is flat), and traveling anything more than 40-50 miles on a single trip is a major pain in the arse (literally). Therefore you would limit greatly your ability to explore the island beyond a short radius from where you are going to stay.