Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport car hire
There’s no better way to discover Sardinia than by car. Go off the beaten track and drive out to breathtaking beaches, remote villages and Roman ruins.The Avis car hire desk can be found near the arrivals hall - look out for 'Terminal Autonoleggi'.
Popular car hire locations in Sardinia
Plan your trip from Olbia airport
The airport is 4 kms from the town of Olbia, a great place to start your Sardinian adventure in your Avis hire car.There are historic sites that you can check out, or alternatively kick back in one of the cafes around Corso Umberto, a lively street near the waterfront. The old town is a maze of delightful cobbled streets, lined with restaurants and cafes with outside seating, inviting you to sit and watch the world go by.
Olbia’s top attraction is the Basilica di San Simplicio – a medieval Pisan-Romanesque church. This impressive granite building is definitely worth exploring. Look out for the two 13th century frescoes.
Head to the waterfront to explore the National Archaeological Museum. The largest museum in Olbia, it houses a variety of exhibits and artefacts dating back to Roman times. On display are Roman ships and artefacts. It also hosts a number of concerts and grand openings throughout the year.
Road trips from Olbia
Sardinia has world class diving spots and beaches with translucent turquoise blue waters, so a drive along Sardinia’s glamorous Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) is a must. Capriccioli, Spiaggia del Principe and Liscia Ruja beaches are the best known.Alghero
Alghero is on the coast and is one of Sardinia’s most beautiful medieval cities. Walk around the city and explore the cobbled streets of the old town, brave the majestic grotto ‘The Cave of Neptune’, or walk up Monte Timidone for spectacular views of the island.
Cagliari
Sardinia’s capital city can be found on the Golfo degli Angeli (Gulf of Angels) on the island's south coast. It has miles of stunning beaches and coves to explore and relax on. Santa Margherita di Pula is very popular and offers stretches of sandy white beaches. Visit the Il Castello, a hilltop citadel with stunning domes and towers rising above Cagliari. And don’t miss the Cathedral, the main place of worship for the people of Cagliari and a probably the most important monument in the city.
Giardini Pubblici are former royal gardens at the highest point of Castello, ofering stunning views. The Museo Archeologico Nazionale houses artefacts from across the centuries. A recent acquisition is the Giganti di Monte Prama, giant sandstone figures dating back to the 8th century BC.
Driving rules in Italy
Which side of the road?In Italy, please drive on the right side of the road.
Country driving laws
- Mobile phones may only be used with a hands-free device
- Dipped headlights must be used in poor daylight visibility when driving on motorways, dual carriageways, and rural roads
- Use the outside lane to overtake on motorways and dual carriageways
- Do not use the horn in a built up area unless in danger
- There are historical areas in which you cannot drive. Look out for “Zona traffico limitato”
Speed limits
All speed signs will be in km/h.
For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:
- Urban roads: 50 km/h (31 mph)
- Urban highways: 70 km/h (44 mph)
- Secondary extra-urban roads: 90 km/h (56 mph)
- Main extra-urban roads (Expressways): 110 km/h (68 mph)
- Motorways: 130 km/h (80mph)
Be aware of changes to speed limits displayed on road signs due to adverse weather conditions.
Child safety / Seatbelt laws
- It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
- Children aged under 12 and less than 150cm tall must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size
- Children weighing up to 9kg must be seated in a rear-facing child restraint, in the back of the car only
Please note - It is the child’s parent / guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.
This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.