Ferries and flights are about the only way to arrive in Sardinia since it's an island. The cheapest way to reach the island is to catch a flight to the mainland in Italy and then switch to a ferry to arrive here.
Sardinia's coastline is spectacular and driving along the coastal roads can be an unforgettable experience!
You can use our Sardinia Transportation Guide below for information on getting to the island, as well as getting around Sardinia once you are there. Also check out our Sardinia tour options for more ideas of getting around and seeing the sights. Our Italy Transportation Guide provides handy information for getting to and around the country.
Sardinia Transportation Guide
Once you arrive in Sardinia you can commute by bus, train or car. Cars are quick and afford a lot of freedom and flexibility. There are buses, but these don't come highly recommended since you may need to switch a number of times to get to where you need to.
Unfortunately the public transport in Sardinia is not very efficient and we suggest that inform yourself well about the connections and the time you will need to arrive somewhere. People imagine that Sardinia is a small island but it's not really so. You might employ as much as four hours car drive to arrive from north to south, so you might need a full day to do the same route with public transport. Some main places are connected with the train. It can be a nice experience because this means of transportation is quite old and hasn't been renovated at all!
Of course the best way to get around is to rent a car because in this way you can really explore the island. It would be quite a pity to come to Sardinia and stay fixed in one place!
Getting to Sardinia
By Air
Malpensa Airport is a popular connecting point from Italy into Sardinia. We suggest you check if your flights to Sardinia depart then from Milan Malpensa or Linate because at the moment there is still much confusion around this. Smaller commuter planes fly between this airport and Sardinia's three airports at Olbia, Alghero and Cagliari. There are direct flights to Sardinia available from abroad as well, but despite the drop in prices over time it still isn't an option for everyone.
International flights arrive at all three airports in Sardinia, and are mostly charters from across Europe. Additionally, Cagliari also gets Alitalia flights. If you're flying in from Asia or North America you will have to be routed via Milan or Rome.
Shuttle bus services connect airports to the towns closest to the airport. The Cagliari-Elmas Airport is just 5 miles from the city and can be reached via Brenta. Olbia and Alghero airports are very close to the city as well. Besides the shuttle, you could take a taxi or an ARST bus that runs from the three airports to the main cities. A few times a day you have the opportunity to be connected between the three different airports.
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By Ferry
Sardinia has 4 major ports. There is Cagliari located on the southern coast, Porto Torres on the north-western side, Arbatax on the eastern coast, and Olbia on the north-eastern coast.
Ferries run between these ports and Italy as well as Sicily. Do book your seats or cabins in advance since the services are quite popular. The ferries themselves come complete with bars, restaurants and cabins and are quite comfortable.
Major connections are available between Civitavecchia (Rome) and Cagliari or Olbia. Genoa is connected by ferry services to both Porto Torres and Olbia. You will find several ferry connections from Livorno to Olbia . Naples and Palermo in Sicily are once a week but in the summer you have more opportunities to reach the island from Naples.
Getting around Sardinia
By Car
Though Sardinia is just 90 miles wide and 170 miles long and has 1150 miles of coastline, the road network isn't well developed, making commutes by car quite tedious. The good thing, though, is that wherever you travel, no matter how circuitous the route, there will always be something interesting to see along the way. The coastline is spectacular and driving along the coastal roads can be an unforgettable experience.
Major cities and towns have good roads connecting them - both of the scenic and the regular variety. Travel between Olbia and Cagliari will take just 4 to 5 hours.
By Train
Apart from cars, the other option for travellers in Sardinia is to take a train. Trains aren't exactly fast but the rail network covers a few places you're likely to want to visit. There are regular trains between Sassari in the north-west and Cagliari. Sassari further connects to Alghero and Olbia.
By Bus
Travel by bus in Sardinia is not terribly popular with either visitors or locals since the journey isn't as comfortable as by train; routes tend to be winding and involve a number of switches en route. However, there are inexpensive connections between major cities like Nuoro, Olbia, Porto Torres, Alghero, Sassari and the capital, Cagliari. Be prepared to change at Macomer to get to Nuoro.
By Taxis
Most towns in the region are small enough for you to get around comfortably on foot. However, Sassari and Cagliari are larger and you might need a taxi to see the sights. Also, if you happen to be staying at a hotel outside of the main town in Alghero or Olbia, then again a taxi will be necessary. Taxis are also a quick way to get into town from the airport.
We suggest to ask for the rate before taking a taxi because a taxi between Sassari and Alghero for example can cost you up to 60 Euro. The taxi are not very numerous, apart at the airports, nor cheap, so be careful in choosing a taxi for longer distances.
Meet your local connection in Sardinia, Italy, Pier Paolo & the team of Insula Tour! We are proud to be a part of whl.travel and are working hard to propose some original solutions to tourism, working with small local accommodations and home stays in old villages on the island to help promote a more "authentic" Sardinia. Although we offer some beach resorts, we also offer hotels with charming character owned by Sardinians and not by foreign companies.
