Compare cheap 7 seater car hire at Olbia Airport. Booking the capped beaches at San Teodoro, the ferry to La Maddalena, summer fire rules and Italian child seat law.
Two of San Teodoro’s best beaches, Cala Brandinchi and Lu Impostu, cap visitor numbers in summer and must be booked in advance. Book before you drive there, or you may be turned away.
Olbia Airport handled 4,128,015 passengers in 2025, passing 4 million (ENAC). For summer 2026 it serves 87 destinations in 24 countries (L’Unione Sarda).
From the UK, British Airways flies from London City, and added a summer route from London Stansted in 2026 (Travel Radar). The airport is about 4 km from Olbia, so the Costa Smeralda starts almost as soon as you leave the car park.
Booking the capped beaches
From 1 June to 30 September 2026, Cala Brandinchi was capped at 1,447 visitors a day and Lu Impostu at 3,352 people. Booking is required, and occasional visitors pay about £1.70 (€2) each, while residents and children under 12 go free (SiViaggia).
Parking is charged separately from the beach booking (L’Unione Sarda), so budget for both. With seven people, book the whole group at once.
Further south, Cala Goloritzè can only be reached on foot, with a cap of 250 people and a fee of about £6 (€7) for adults (SiViaggia). It is a long day out from Olbia.
The ferry to La Maddalena
Palau is the port for the La Maddalena archipelago (Sardegna Turismo). The crossing to La Maddalena island takes about 15 minutes, and a scenic road of about 20 km runs round the island (La Maddalena National Park).
Ask the ferry operator about taking a large car before you book. Many families leave the 7 seater in Palau and explore the island on foot or by boat.
Olbia 7 Seaters at a glance
See the 7 seaters at Olbia Airport side by side, with the deposit and fuel policy for each.
Summer fire rules
Sardinia’s wildfire plan sets a high danger period from 1 June to 31 October, enforced by the regional forest corps. The 2026 update applies the same fire safety requirements to car parks and rest areas, including those serving the coast (L’Unione Sarda).
Never park on dry grass, and do not throw anything from the window. In high summer, follow any road closure you meet on the way to the beaches.
Driving in Olbia itself
Olbia’s historic centre has a ZTL, so check the council’s current map before you drive in (L’Unione Sarda). GOV.UK warns that ZTL signs are black on yellow and that cameras record cars without a pass (GOV.UK). Park outside the centre and walk in.
Italian rules for UK drivers
A UK photocard licence is accepted in Italy (GOV.UK). The drink-drive limit is 0.5 g per litre, and zero for new drivers (Your Europe).
Children under 1.50 metres need a child restraint, and in Italian-registered cars, children under four also need an anti-abandonment alarm (Brocardi). Ask for one when you book child seats.
Italy is in the Schengen area, so the EU Entry/Exit System applies when you land (GOV.UK).
Seven people and the beach kit
A large suitcase holds 80 to 110 litres (Markenkoffer). With all seven seats in use, the roomiest common 7 seaters keep about 340 to 350 litres of boot (Auto Express).
With parasols and snorkels too, look for the ACRISS FV class, meaning seven or more seats with more space, or move up to an 8 or 9 seater.
Picking up at Olbia Airport
The airport’s maps show a dedicated car hire area alongside the terminal car parks (ENAC). Your voucher confirms where to go.
Flying in elsewhere next time? Our Catania Airport guide covers Sicily, and our Naples Airport guide covers the Amalfi Coast. The Italy guide has the national rules.
Keeping an Olbia 7 Seater cheap
- Book the beaches early. A turned-away family wastes a day’s hire and the fuel to get there.
- Leave the car in Palau. Exploring La Maddalena on foot or by boat can save a car ferry fare.
- Weigh the whole deal. Set the excess and deposit against the fuel policy and second driver fees.
- Book before June. Summer fills the fleets early, so lock in a cancellable rate well ahead.
Price an Olbia Airport 7 Seater
Add your flight times to compare low-cost 7 seater rates on the Costa Smeralda.
Olbia questions answered
Do I need to book beaches near Olbia?
Cala Brandinchi and Lu Impostu at San Teodoro cap visitor numbers in summer and need booking in advance.
How long is the ferry to La Maddalena?
About 15 minutes from Palau.
Which UK airports fly to Olbia?
British Airways flies from London City, and in summer 2026 also from London Stansted.
When is fire season in Sardinia?
The high danger period runs from 1 June to 31 October.
How do I compare cheap 7 Seater deals at Olbia Airport?
Use one search across several hire firms. Ours shows the 7 seaters at Olbia Airport with the total price for each.
