There are a wealth of reasons to travel to the paradisaical island of Sardinia and the mesmerising turquoise waters and sandy beaches are just the tip of the iceberg. Whether you love to delve into the ancient past of a country, trek through unspoilt, wild landscapes, have a taste of a traditional way of life or throw yourself head first into an array of water-sports, shop til your drop and rub shoulders with the rich and famous, the Olbia region of Sardinia has it all.
Olbia is the main port for tourists to Sardinia and receives ferries from mainland Italy, as well as having its own airport. As the gateway to the Smeralda Coast, one of the glitziest stretches of beaches and coves on the Mediterranean, Olbia Airport is very much in keeping, with a modern, airy terminal building renovated in 2004
Flights from the UK leave from Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Leeds and Manchester airports and are served by 10 low cost airlines including easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair. On landing you will come into the arrivals hall which has been specifically adapted for passengers with special needs. There are wheelchair ramps, fitted restrooms, elevators and telephones and outside the terminal are 40 reserved parking spaces for those with mobility problems. Based in arrivals is also the lost and found office, cashpoints, Internet kiosks and information desk which can provides advice on everything from accommodation to activities.
Compared with some airports, Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport has really gone to town when it comes to shopping and restaurant facilities. Located both before and after security in the departures area are some fabulous retailers selling products from the traditional to the exclusive, as well as the usual stores such as a pharmacy, newspaper/bookstores and 2 banks. When it comes to refreshments, you´re even more spoilt for choice. There´s a wonderful open-aired cafe outside arrivals called the Kara Kiosk, which sells mouth-watering pastries and cakes as well as varying savoury snacks, a wine bar and a restaurant serving hot Italian dishes situated in departures before security and even an outdoor Smokers Garden Cafe, once you get past all the checks, for those who can´t resist a last cigarette before they board the plane. There is also facilities for businesses with large and small meeting rooms and a business centre.
Most people travelling to Sardinia though haven´t come to hangout at the airport, so onward transportation is of prime importance. For most travellers, the preferred option is to arrange a Olbia Airport car hire. These are located in the arrivals hall and are AM Service, Autoeuropa, Avis, Easycar, Ellepi, Europcar, Eurorent, Hertz, Italy by Car, Maggiore, Matta, Midarent, Pinna, Ruvioli, Sardinya, Sixt and Smeralda Express. Each of them offers slightly different deals so make sure when you get a quote you know exactly what is included, as surprise additional charges at the collection desk can often make for a bad start to a holiday.
If you´re not hiring a car then by far the most convenient alternative is an airport transfer, where a driving meets you in arrivals and sweeps you away to your car without any needless hassle or waiting about, as can be the case when using the Olbia Airport taxis. A less expensive option is to reserve a seat on a private shuttle bus so the cost is shared with your fellow passengers. Taxis are located outside arrivals and, as an idea of how steep they can be, the fare from the airport to Olbia city centre just 3km away is €15.
Buses are always the least pricey option and the Number 2 and 10 buses leave every 15 minutes from outside arrivals and do a circular route through Olbia. For destinations further afield, including Nuoro, Calgiari and Santa Teresa di Gallura there are the Olbia Airport coaches. Although there is no train station at Olbia Airport, there is one at Via Gabriele DÁnnunzio, a stop on both bus routes.
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