How far is Olbia Airport from the Costa Smeralda?

Porto Cervo is about 30 minutes, Baia Sardinia around 35, Palau for the La Maddalena ferries about 40. Everything in the north-east is close.

Olbia or Alghero airport — which should I choose?

By where you stay: Olbia for the Costa Smeralda and the north-east, Alghero for the north-west (Sassari, Stintino, Bosa). Crossing the island takes around 1h45.

Do I need to book early for summer in Olbia?

Yes — OLB is one of Italy's most seasonal airports. In peak weeks the cheapest categories and automatics sell out well in advance.

Airports

Car rental at Olbia Airport

Airport & city pick-up
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Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB) is the airport of Sardinia's glamorous north-east: Porto Cervo and the Costa Smeralda, the La Maddalena archipelago, and some of the Mediterranean's most famous beaches. The airport is tiny and efficient — the car park is practically at the terminal door.

Pick-up locations

Rental desks are a short walk from arrivals, in the dedicated area about 50 metres from the terminal. July and August see charter and scheduled flights landing in waves: a pre-booked car with your flight number is the difference between driving off and queuing.

Driving there

The SS125 heads north to Palau (ferries to La Maddalena) in about 40 minutes; Porto Cervo is 30 minutes; the SS131 crosses the island to Sassari and Alghero in around 1h45. All roads are toll-free. Coastal roads are winding and busy in August — drive early in the day.

Good to know

Many visitors combine the Olbia–Civitavecchia ferry with a flight; if you plan anything unusual (island ferries with the car, one-way to Alghero), check the supplier's terms before booking rather than at the desk.