Flying into Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport is the start of a Sardinian adventure. Collect a Goldcar hire car at the terminal and you can reach beaches, hill towns and ancient sites without waiting for buses or paying high taxi fares. With your own wheels you can pack the boot, set your own timetable and enjoy the island at your pace.
Booking online with Goldcar secures the best rates and guarantees a car from your chosen group. The fleet in Olbia is modern, with efficient engines, air conditioning and the latest safety features. Express services through the app cut down waiting, and 24/7 multilingual assistance is included. For extra peace of mind you can add zero-excess cover, which removes liability for common damage.
Why hire a car at Olbia Airport
Olbia sits at the gateway to the Costa Smeralda. Buses reach a few towns but rarely the coves or archaeological sites. With a Goldcar rental you can be at San Teodoro’s La Cinta Beach in half an hour, Porto Cervo in forty minutes, or the ferry to La Maddalena in under an hour. Inland, Arzachena’s Nuragic remains and the cork forests of Tempio Pausania are easier by car. Families and couples find driving cheaper and more flexible than multiple taxi rides.
Vehicle types and available options at Olbia Airport
Goldcar offers compact cars for town driving, estates and hatchbacks for couples, SUVs and people carriers for families, and even convertibles for coastal trips. Automatics and hybrids are available, though demand peaks in summer so early booking is best. Extras include child seats, GPS, Wi-Fi units and additional drivers. Most bookings use a full-to-full fuel policy, with prepaid fuel available for quick returns.
Where to collect your hire car at Olbia Airport
Follow the Car Hire signs in Arrivals to the Goldcar desk. Present your passport, driving licence, booking voucher and the credit card of the main driver. Staff will confirm your booking and direct you to the collection zone. Before leaving, note the fuel level, check for existing marks and set up mirrors and controls. For returns, follow Car Rental Return signs. Nearby petrol stations on the SS125 and SS729 make refuelling easy.
Exploring Olbia and surroundings by car
Olbia’s old town and San Simplicio Basilica are worth a stop, but the real appeal is the coast. Porto Cervo is about 40 minutes north, with coves such as Capriccioli and Liscia Ruja close by. South of Olbia, San Teodoro and the Gulf of Orosei offer sweeping sands and boat trips to caves. Palau is 45 minutes away for the La Maddalena ferry, and Tempio Pausania inland provides cork forests and mountain views.
Driving and parking tips in Olbia
You drive on the right. Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on main roads, 110 km/h on dual carriageways and 130 km/h on motorways. Sardinia has no toll roads. Use headlights in tunnels, wear seat belts and avoid alcohol as the drink-drive limit is stricter than in the UK. Watch for ZTL restricted zones in historic centres and park outside them. Blue bays are pay-and-display, white are usually free, yellow are reserved.
Best time to visit Olbia
May, June, September and October bring warm seas and quieter roads, ideal for driving holidays. July and August are lively but busy, so book your hire car early and start beach days before midday. Winter is calm and mild, good for archaeology, wine and food trips, while spring adds wildflowers and clear coastal drives.
