Olbia Costa Smeralda airport is the starting point for an adventure in Sardinia. Pick up a Goldcar rental car at the terminal and you can reach beaches, hills and ancient sites without having to wait for buses or pay high cab fares. With your own wheels, you can pack the trunk, set your own schedule and enjoy the island at your own pace.
By booking online with Goldcar, you benefit from the best rates and are guaranteed to get a car from the group you've chosen. Olbia's fleet is modern, with efficient engines, air conditioning and the latest safety features. Express services via app reduce waiting times, and 24/7 multilingual assistance is included. For added peace of mind, you can add zero deductible coverage, which removes liability for routine damage.
Why rent a car at Olbia airport?
Olbia is the gateway to the Costa Smeralda. Buses serve a few towns, but rarely the coves or archaeological sites. With a Goldcar rental, you can be at La Cinta beach in San Teodoro in half an hour, at Porto Cervo in forty minutes, or take the ferry to La Maddalena in less than an hour. Inland, the nuragic remains of Arzachena and the cork forests of Tempio Pausania are easier to visit by car. Families and couples find that the car is cheaper and more flexible than multiple cab journeys.
Types of vehicles and options available at Olbia airport
Goldcar offers compact cars for the city, station wagons and hatchbacks for couples, SUVs and people carriers for families, and even convertibles for coastal excursions. Automatic and hybrid cars are available, but demand peaks in summer, so it's best to book in advance. Supplements include child seats, GPS, Wi-Fi units and additional drivers. Most bookings are made on a full-fuel policy, with prepaid fuel available for quick returns.
Where can you pick up your rental car at Olbia airport?
Follow the "Car Hire" signs in arrivals to the Goldcar counter. Present your passport, driving license, booking voucher and main driver's credit card. Staff will confirm your reservation and direct you to the collection area. Before leaving, note the fuel level, check for existing marks and adjust the mirrors and controls. For returns, follow the signs for returning rental vehicles. Nearby service stations on the SS125 and SS729 make refueling easy.
Explore Olbia and surroundings by car
Olbia's old town and the Basilica of San Simplicio are well worth a stop, but the real attraction is the coast. Porto Cervo lies around 40 minutes to the north, with coves such as Capriccioli and Liscia Ruja close by. South of Olbia, San Teodoro and the Gulf of Orosei offer endless sand and boat trips to caves. Palau is a 45-minute ferry ride from La Maddalena, and Tempio Pausania, inland, offers cork forests and mountain views.
Tips for driving and parking in Olbia
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 freeways. Sardinia has no toll roads. Use headlights in tunnels, wear seatbelts and don't drink alcohol, as blood-alcohol levels are higher than in the UK. In historic city centers, watch out for ZTL restrictions and park outside these zones. Blue spaces are chargeable, white spaces are generally free and yellow spaces are reserved.
Best time to visit Olbia
In May, June, September and October, the seas are warm and the roads are calmer, ideal for a driving vacation. July and August are lively but very busy. Book your rental car in advance and start your beach days before noon. Winter is calm and mild, ideal for archaeological, wine and gastronomic excursions, while spring brings wild flowers and clear coastal roads.
