Olbia Airport to Palau

25 miles, one scenic road and about 40 minutes between baggage claim and your first swim.

Three ways to cover the last 40 km

Rental car — the flexible choice

All the big names (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Maggiore) have desks in the Olbia terminal. Expect €45–90 a day in July and August, far less in May, June and late September. Book an automatic well in advance: Italian fleets are mostly manual. Drive time to Palau is 35–45 minutes.

Public bus — the cheapest

Turmo Travel connects Olbia Airport with Palau for around €15 one way, in about an hour, with more frequent departures in summer. Tickets are bought on board or at the kiosk. Perfect if you plan to stay around Palau and book boat tours rather than drive.

Private transfer — the easiest after a red-eye

A pre-booked car costs roughly €90–130 to Palau. The driver meets you at arrivals; you are at the apartment in well under an hour without touching a steering wheel on your first jet-lagged day.

Driving in Sardinia: what Americans should know

Carry an International Driving Permit together with your state license — Italian law requires it and rental desks check.
Roads are narrow but empty outside July and August. Speed limits: 50 km/h in towns, 90 on country roads, 130 on the few motorways.
ZTL zones (limited traffic areas) exist in historic centres — Palau has none, so you can drive right to the apartment.
Gas is sold by the litre and costs about €1.80–1.95; many stations are self-service and take credit cards.
Parking lines: white is free, blue is paid, yellow is reserved. Our guests have a free reserved spot nearby.

Arriving at any hour, without a front desk

Flights from the U.S. land in the morning, and return flights leave mid-morning too — timings that rarely match hotel check-in hours. Our five apartments in the centre of Palau use a personal keybox code, so you let yourself in whenever you arrive. Before your stay you get a private guest area with the address, the door code, parking directions and answers to the practical questions, in your language.

Check dates and book See the apartments

Frequently asked questions

How far is Palau from Olbia Airport?

About 40 km (25 miles) — roughly 35–45 minutes by car on the SS125 and SP13. It is the closest international airport to Palau and the arrival point of the seasonal nonstop from New York JFK.

Do I need a rental car in Palau?

For the airport transfer and day trips along the Costa Smeralda, yes — a car makes the trip much easier. Inside Palau itself everything (port, restaurants, supermarket) is walkable, and our apartments include a free parking spot nearby.

Is my U.S. driver's license valid in Italy?

You need your U.S. license plus an International Driving Permit (IDP), which AAA issues in about 20 minutes for around $20. Rental desks in Olbia ask for both, along with a credit card in the driver's name.

Is there a bus from Olbia Airport to Palau?

Yes. Turmo Travel runs a public coach between Olbia Airport and Palau for about €15 one way, with more departures in summer than in winter. It takes around one hour and stops in the centre of Palau.

Should I book a private transfer instead?

A private car from Olbia Airport to Palau usually costs €90–130 for up to three people. It is the simplest option if you land late, travel with lots of luggage, or would rather not drive after an overnight flight.