Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport

Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) serves northeastern Sardinia, including the glamorous Costa Smeralda resort area. Located 4 km from Olbia town center, it's the gateway to one of Europe's most exclusive summer destinations—the playground of billionaires and celebrities.

The airport has a single modern terminal that expanded significantly to handle summer peak traffic. Traffic is highly seasonal, with massive increases in July and August.

Key airlines: Meridiana (now Air Italy legacy routes), easyJet, Ryanair, Volotea, British Airways, Lufthansa, and numerous summer seasonal carriers.

OLB serves northeastern Sardinia's luxury coast:

• To Olbia town: 4 km, 10 minutes
• To Porto Cervo: 30 km, 35-45 minutes
• To Porto Rotondo: 15 km, 20 minutes
• To Cala di Volpe: 25 km, 30-35 minutes
• To La Maddalena (ferry): 45 km, 50 minutes
• To Arzachena: 25 km, 30 minutes

Uber does not operate in Sardinia. Use taxis or rental cars.

Taxis from the rank:

• To Olbia town: €15-20
• To Porto Cervo: €70-100
• To Porto Rotondo: €35-50

Summer rates can be higher. Many hotels arrange transfers.

ARST Bus

ARST buses offer limited service:

• Route to Olbia: 10-15 minutes, €1.50
• Infrequent service to other destinations

Recommendation: Rent a car. Sardinia has limited public transport, and distances are significant.

Car Rental (Essential)

Multiple rental agencies at the airport. Book well in advance for summer—cars sell out in July-August.

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
P1 Short Stay	€18/day	Terminal adjacent
P2 Long Stay	€8/day	Shuttle service

OLB has limited dining:

Terminal:

• Cafés and bars
• Italian quick service
• Basic restaurants

Options are basic—better dining in Olbia or the Costa Smeralda.

Network: OLB Airport WiFi

• Cost: Free
• Speed: Adequate
• Registration may be required

SIM cards from shops in Olbia:

• TIM, Vodafone, Wind Tre
• Limited options at airport

ATMs in the terminal.

Currency: Euro (€)

• Duty-free (limited)
• Sardinian products (mirto, pecorino)
• Basic retail

Shopping is minimal; the Costa Smeralda itself has luxury boutiques.

VIP Lounge

• Access: Business class or walk-in (~€30)
• Amenities: Snacks, drinks, WiFi

Limited lounge facilities given seasonal nature.

Hotels range from Olbia town to the ultra-luxury Costa Smeralda. Porto Cervo is the most exclusive.

The Costa Smeralda is Sardinia's jet-set paradise—emerald waters, granite coastlines, and stratospheric prices in summer:

Costa Smeralda essentials (with travel time from airport):

• Porto Cervo: 40 min—the glamour capital, superyacht marina, designer boutiques
• Porto Rotondo: 25 min—upscale but slightly less flashy
• Cala di Volpe: 35 min—iconic luxury hotel, beautiful bay
• Romazzino Beach: 35 min—exclusive beach club scene
• Pevero Golf Club: 35 min—world-class course with stunning views

Beaches (northeast Sardinia's best):

• Spiaggia del Principe: 35 min—"Prince's Beach," stunning turquoise
• Capriccioli: 30 min—granite boulders, crystal water
• Liscia Ruja (Long Beach): 35 min—longest Costa Smeralda beach
• La Pelosa (Stintino): 2 hours—Sardinia's most famous beach (worth the drive)
• Cala Brandinchi: 1 hour—"Little Tahiti," white sand

Beyond the glitz:

• La Maddalena Archipelago: 1 hour—boat trips to pristine islands
• Arzachena: 35 min—Nuragic archaeological sites
• San Pantaleo: 30 min—charming village, Thursday market
• Capo d'Orso: 40 min—bear-shaped rock formation, great views

Sardinian cuisine:

• Porceddu: Spit-roasted suckling pig, the island specialty
• Culurgiones: Sardinian stuffed pasta
• Pecorino Sardo: Local sheep cheese
• Fregola: Toasted semolina pasta, often with clams
• Seadas: Fried pastry with cheese and honey
• Mirto: Myrtle berry liqueur, digestivo

Local tips:

• Prices: Costa Smeralda is EXPENSIVE, especially July-August
• Rent a car: Absolutely essential; there's no other way to explore
• Book early: Everything (cars, hotels, restaurants) books out for summer
• Shoulder season: June and September have great weather, fewer crowds, lower prices
• Beach clubs: Many beaches have paid lido sections with umbrellas
• Superyacht spotting: Porto Cervo marina in August is ridiculous
• Wind: The Mistral can make some beaches rough; check conditions
• History: Developed by Aga Khan IV in the 1960s as a luxury resort
• Dress code: Porto Cervo is casual but designer casual
• Don't miss the interior: Sardinia's mountains and villages are beautiful