Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB): practical guide

Have you landed at Olbia Costa Smeralda? OLB is the entry point for northeastern Sardinia: Costa Smeralda, San Teodoro, Palau, La Maddalena, and the Gulf of Orosei are all reachable in under an hour. Here's a practical guide to exit the airport and start your vacation right away.

How to reach the center of Olbia from the airport

Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport is located about 4 km from the city center. The cheapest way is the urban bus (ASPO line 2), with departures every 30-60 minutes: the journey takes about 10 minutes and costs just under 1 euro. A taxi from the arrivals lane also takes about 10 minutes and has a fixed fare of about 15-20 euros. For those arriving in high season — particularly in July and August — car rental is almost mandatory: the major companies (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Maggiore) have counters in the arrivals area, with variable prices. From Olbia, it takes 30-40 minutes by car to reach Porto Cervo and San Teodoro, and 45 minutes to Palau.

Car rental at Olbia Airport

The leading car rental companies — Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Maggiore, Enterprise — have counters in the arrivals area of the airport, open until the last flight. In high season, it is essential to book in advance: availability runs out quickly and prices increase exponentially in the weeks of July and August. It's advisable to choose a car with enough space for luggage and air conditioning: the roads of Gallura are often narrow and winding, ideal for small and medium cars. Many accommodations require a 4x4 for certain dirt roads leading to the wilder beaches.

When is it best to fly to Olbia

Olbia Airport has extreme seasonality: traffic in August is almost 10 times that of February. In summer, flights arrive from all over Europe — London, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Frankfurt, and dozens of other cities — while in winter, operations reduce to domestic Italian flights (Rome, Milan, Turin, Bologna) and a few stable international routes. If you want to save on flights and find reasonable prices, fly in June (still low season) or in September (warm sea, less crowded beaches). May is the choice for the most experienced travelers: very low prices, blooming nature, deserted beaches. Avoid August if you can: it's the most expensive and crowded month.

Parking and services at Olbia Airport

Short-term parking is available in front of the terminal (paid, hourly rates). For stays longer than 24 hours, it’s better to use the uncovered parking farther away (economy parking), with free shuttles to the terminal. At the airport, you’ll find: dining and bars open from the first departures to the last arrival, ATM kiosks, currency exchange, pharmacies, duty-free in the boarding area. The check-in area generally opens 2 hours before departure; for low-cost flights like Ryanair and Wizz Air, keep your boarding pass on your phone to avoid lines at the counters.

Is there a bus from Olbia airport to the center?

Yes. The ASPO 2 line connects the airport to the center of Olbia (FS station) in about 10 minutes. Buses run every 30-60 minutes. The ticket price is under 1 euro. Alternatively, a taxi has a fixed fare of about 15-20 euros.

How far is Costa Smeralda from Olbia airport?

Porto Cervo and Costa Smeralda are about a 35-minute drive from Olbia airport (about 30 km). Porto Rotondo is even closer, only 20 minutes away. There is no direct public transport connection: you need to rent a car or take a taxi (about 60-80 euros).

How do you reach La Maddalena from Olbia airport?

From Olbia, you drive to Palau (about 45 minutes, 40 km). From Palau, you take the ferry to La Maddalena: the crossing takes about 15 minutes, with frequent departures throughout the day. The ferry costs about 2-3 euros per person. In July and August, ferries are very crowded: arrive early.

Which beaches are near Olbia airport?

The closest beaches to Olbia airport are those in San Teodoro (30 minutes), such as La Cinta, considered one of the most beautiful in Sardinia. Budoni is about 30 minutes away, Porto Istana is 15 minutes away. The famous Cala Brandinchi is 35 minutes away. For Costa Smeralda (Capriccioli, Liscia Ruja), it takes 40 minutes.

When is the high season in Olbia? When is it best to fly?

The high season is July-August, when flight and accommodation prices double or triple. The best choice for those wanting to save without sacrificing the sea is June or September: the sea is warm, the beaches are less crowded, and prices are lower. May is ideal for trekking, nature, and deserted beaches. In winter, flight options reduce significantly.

Is there a taxi from Olbia airport?

Yes. Taxis are available at the arrivals terminal exit. The fare to the center of Olbia is about 15-20 euros. For Porto Cervo expect around 60-80 euros, for San Teodoro about 40 euros. In high season, it’s advisable to book in advance through local taxi apps.

How do you reach Cala Gonone and the Gulf of Orosei from Olbia?

Cala Gonone is about a 90-minute drive from Olbia airport (85 km). You take the SS131dcn road through Nuoro. In summer, it’s advisable to leave early in the morning to avoid traffic. There are no direct buses from the airport: you need to rent a car.