Car Rental in Olbia

Why rent a car in Olbia?

Olbia is one of the most interesting destinations in Sardinia. Located on the northwestern part of the island, it is quite small but punches above its weight when it comes to history and architecture. Better yet, it offers access to Costa Smeralda, one of the most beautiful coastal regions in all of Italy.

Top ways to enter Olbia

• Olbia Airport: The airport, also known as Olbia Costa Smeralda, is served by more than 30 different airlines, many of them low-cost carriers.
• Cagliari Airport: Busiest in Sardinia, Cagliari Airport serves the island’s largest city.
• Alghero Airport: Although located on the western coast of the island (as opposed to Olbia which is on the eastern coast), Alghero Airport is less than two hours drive away.
• By sea: If you’re arriving in Olbia by a ferry, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at Olbia Port.

City facts

• First settled by Phoenicians in 7th century B.C., the city has also been known as Cività and Terranova Pausania during different periods of history.
• Like the rest of Sardinia, Olbia enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate with very hot summers and mild winters. The precipitation is much lower during the summer months and almost non-existent in July.

Top sights and activities

• Basilica di San Simplicio. This beautiful basilica was built almost 1000 years ago, and remains one of the most important religious buildings in the whole of Sardinia. Conveniently, it is located in the city center, on the street of the same name, Via San Simplicio.
• Tomb of Giants “Su Monte de s'ape”. This impressive megalithic monument was constructed by the Nuragic people that populated the island from Bronze Age until 3rd century B.C., and its meaning for that ancient civilization has puzzled researchers and travelers for age. If you find the Tomb of Giants interesting, it is also worth visiting some of the sacred wells that can also be found in the Olbia area.
• The Museum of Archeology. Located on the tiny Peddona islet in the Olbia Old Port area, this museums tells the story of the region and the many peoples that have populated it during centuries. Many travelers find the remains of sunken ancient ships that you can see here particularly interesting.

Traffic and parking

• The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. 
• Main highways are limited to 130 km/h, non-major highways to 110 km/h, and local roads to 90 km/h. During the rain the limits are respectively lowered to 110 km/h, 100 km/h, and 80 km/h. The general speed limit is lowered to 50 km/h during heavy fog or other cases of bad visibility.
• The best way to see much of the island from the local’s point of view is to leave the main highways and to explore the smaller strade provinciali or regional roads. Many hidden, but awesome beaches and farm-stays are only accessible by them.
• Do watch out for blue notes - they indicate pay-and-display parking spots. The areas with white lines are for free parking and the yellow lines indicate areas only accessible to drivers with special passes.
• The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.00% for novice drivers. Being over the allowed limit can result in hefty fines and even imprisonment. 
• The emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.

Toll roads

There are no toll roads in Sardinia - all highways and regional roads can be accessed free of charge. However, there are restricted traffic areas (Le zone a traffico limitato or ZTL), like some city centers, where you are not allowed to drive. These areas can sometimes be poorly marked and you might enter them by accident, so it’s better to look them up in advance on the official European Urban Access Regulations website. 

There are numerous toll roads on Mainland Italy. The exact fee depends on the route of your choice and the type of a vehicle. See the official Italian toll road website for more information. Use the website’s toll road calculator to find out exactly how much you’ll have to pay for using the toll roads on your planned route.

Ideas for day trips

• Costa Smeralda. The 20 km (12 mi) long stretch of beautiful beaches near the city is perhaps the number one reason why many travelers choose to visit Olbia. The center and poshest place of Costa Smeralda is the Deer’s Port (Porto Cervo), but it is also worth visiting small nearby villages like Baja Sardinia and Cannigione.
• Tempio Pausania. This small and historic town located about 50 minutes drive east of Olbia attracts visitors thanks to its cathedrals, old narrow streets, and large green areas.
• The Maddalena Archipelago. Just a short boat ride from the small town of Palau, which itself is a 40-minute drive north of Olbia, the Maddalena Archipelago is at once a more relaxed and wild beach destination than Costa Smeralda. With a permanent population of just 11,000, the region is home to a national park of the same name which is made up of pristine beaches and unmarked hiking trails. The archipelago is also famous for local delicacies like Su zimminu, a spicy soup made with seafood caught near the island. Most ferry companies do not permit taking a vehicle onboard, but you can park your rental in Palau and pick it up upon returning.
• Alghero. One of the most interesting places in Sardinia, the city of Alghero is often called Little Barcelona. Just like in the famous Spanish metropolis, many of its inhabitants speak Catalan as a first language (it even has an official status in this part of the island), and the cultural affinity is also reflected in architecture, cuisine, and way of life. On top of that, Alghero is also a truly scenic place surrounded by – this being Sardinia – gorgeous beaches. A car trip from Olbia takes only about 90 minutes.
• Sassari. Located on the other coast of Sardinia, though just a 90-minute drive from Olbia, Sassari is one of the most interesting cities in Sardinia. Known for its interesting museums and many heritage buildings, some visitors say that it maintains more local character than Olbia or Alghero. That being said, plenty of popular Western Sardinian resort towns are also just a stone’s throw away.
• Nuoro. Never visited by the absolute majority of foreign visitors to Sardinia who tend to stick to the coast, the island’s mountainous interior remains very much an off-the-beaten-path territory. Those visitors who brave a trip into this hospitable unknown will discover stunning natural scenery, busy village life, and plenty of tradition and heritage, some of it dating back to prehistoric times. The largest settlement of inland Sardinia, Nuoro, is just over an hour’s drive from Olbia.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Italy is the Fiat Panda, although travelers also like the Ford Fiesta and the Fiat 500. The most often picked rental car types are Economy, Mini, and Compact. 

Further destinations

• Cagliari. The capital and most populated city of the island, Cagliari is also deservedly one of the most beloved Sardinian travel destinations. Located in the central part of the island’s southern coast, about a three hour drive from Olbia, the city is famous for its diverse architectural heritage that includes several medieval Pisan towers, excellent restaurants, and the busy but undeniably beautiful Poetto beach.
• Corsica. Sardinia’s neighboring northern island is a part of France and not Italy, but the two islands have a lot in common while at the same time maintaining their unique character and atmosphere. Just like Sardinians, Corsicans are proud and hospitable hosts. You can take a ferry from Santa Teresa Gallura, but note that you’ll be a crossing a national border, so first make sure if your rental car provider permits it (if not, you can pick up a rental car when in Corsica).
• Mainland Italy. Home to unique traditions, culture, and cities like Rome, Florence, and Turin, Italy is one of the most visited countries in the whole world. There are many daily flights to mainland from Olbia Airport. You can also take a ferry, but first make sure if your rental car provider permits bringing a car on it (if not, you can pick up a rental car when arriving at the mainland).

Car rental prices in Olbia

• Small cars - from $17 per day
• SUVs - from $24 per day
• Medium cars - from $21 per day
• Large cars - from $24 per day
• Station wagons - from $36 per day
• Vans - from $51 per day
• Convertibles - from $45 per day
• Premium cars - from $72 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Follow these tips to get a good deal on your rental in Olbia:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit in the month when the rental prices are the lowest. According to our data, visiting Olbia is the cheapest in December when renting a car is a whopping 80% cheaper than the yearly average.
• Check out our list of the best rental companies in Olbia.