Sardinia has three main airports, Cagliari Elmas Airport, Olbia Airport, and Alghero Fertilia Airport. This article explains everything you need to know about flying into Sardinia, so you can decide the best way to arrive on the island.
Which Airport Should You Fly To?
All the airports of Sardinia are very functional but they don’t have the wide range of facilities, restaurants and shops that you find in other countries or larger airports. I have put together a detailed summary of each airport in Sardinia, to give you an idea of what to expect and make your onward journey easier.
The island is big, it can take more than 3 hours to drive from the North to the South, so it can be convenient to fly to the airport located closest to your accommodation when possible. All the airports in Sardinia, operate more flights during the summer, to accommodate the influx of tourists and holidaymakers. If you choose to fly off-season you can find some very low-priced tickets.
How much does it cost to go to Sardinia? Naturally, it depends on the dates.
If there are no flights to your preferred airport in Sardinia, keep in mind that the length of Sardinia can be crossed in three hours, and the journey through Sardinia is always spectacular. You can cross the island by train, bus, and car.
Sardinia also has five 5 ferry ports, so you can take a ferry to Sardinia from the Italian mainland, as well as France & Barcelona. You can read more about taking a ferry to Sardinia here.
Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG)
Cagliari Elmas Airport is the leading international gateway to Sardinia; it connects to most major European destinations. The airport handles 3 million passengers a year. It serves the south of Sardinia and tourist destinations such as Carloforte, Iglèsias, The Costa Verde, Carbonia and Pula.
As the largest airport of Sardinia, there are many airlines that have flights to and from Cagliari including British Airways, Delta Airlines, Air France, Alitalia, Vueling, Air Malta, Lufthansa, Ryan Air, and Eurowings.
There are many flights from all across Europe, look at the map below.
Cagliari Elmas Airport
Via dei Trasvolatori snc
Elmas
09030 Sardinia
ITALY
Phone: +39 070 211 211
Getting To Cagliari City Centre From The Airport
The quickest way to reach the city centre is to take the train. It takes 5-7 minutes to reach the city centre. A one-way ticket is €1.30, which can be purchased in the arrival hall and at the station, as well as from online ticket merchants. The trains operate from 5 am to 9 pm and one train departs for the city every 20 minutes.
Alternatively, there are taxis. It takes 10-15 minutes to drive into the city centre of Cagliari and the taxi fare is between €15-20.
There is also a bus service to the city centre. The first bus leaves from the airport at 8:40 am and the last bus leaves at 23:30 pm. A single one-way ticket costs €0.67, which you must have before boarding the bus, it can be purchased from the airport terminal or from newsstands. The bus stop is outside the terminal building and can be located by a black and white ARST sign. The bus station in Cagliari is at Piazza Matteotti.
How To Drive To Cagliari Airport
From Cagliari: 7 km from the centre, the airport can be reached by the S.S.130 rom Sassari/Nuoro/Oristano: you can reach the airport by taking the S.S.131 towards Cagliari. When you reach the junction for the S.S.130, follow the signs ‘Aeroporto Elmas’.
From Olbia: the airport can be reached by taking the S.S.131bis in the direction of Cagliari until the junction for the S.S.131. Continue in the direction of Cagliari until you reach the S.S.130, following the signs for ‘Aeroporto Elmas’. Alternatively, take the Orientale Sarda (S.S.125) in the direction of Cagliari and, near Quartucciu, turn onto the S.S.554 which connects to the S.S.130 from which, following the signs for ‘Aeroporto Elmas’, until you reach the Airport
Services At Cagliari Airport
- Car Rental Services
- Currency Exchange
- Tourist Information Desk
- Free Wifi
- ATM
- Pharmacy
- Taxi rank (outside arrivals)
- Baggage claim
- Cafes, Bars & Restaurants
- Disabled toilet
- Sardinia handicraft shops
- Luggage storage
Cagliari Arrivals & Departures
Alghero-Fertilia Airport (AHO)
Alghero Airport is located 8km northwest of Alghero and is named after the village of Fertilia nearby. It is a small airport that is a gateway to the northwest regions of Sardinia. From Alghero airport, you can easily reach beautiful destinations such as Castelsardo, Sassari, Stintino, Bosa, S’Archittu, and Porto Torres.
Alghero is the smallest airport, most of the flights to and from Alghero are served by RyanAir and Alitalia.
Cities such as London, Birmingham, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt, and Geneva are connected to Alghero. As well as cities throughout mainland Italy.
Address:
Alghero-Fertilia Airport
Regione Nuraghe Biancu
Alghero
07041 Sardinia
ITALY
Phone: +39 079 935 011
Getting To The Town of Alghero From The Airport
Taking the bus is the best way to reach the city of Alghero. The journey takes 30 minutes. The bus departs once every hour from 5 am to 10:30 pm. You can purchase tickets from one of the machines located in the terminal for €1 or when boarding the bus for €1.50. Taxis into the town centre of Alghero cost €20-25
How To Drive To Alghero Airport
Starting point Alghero: Alghero airport is 10 km from the Alghero city centre and, it takes about 15 minutes to get there, driving on the main road.
Starting from Alghero take SP42 and keep going for about 1 km. Then turn left on SS291 DIR to the Airport.
Drive along SS291 DIR for 2,8 km and then turn on your right again SP44 (Airport).
Keep on driving for 2,5 km and you will reach the Airport.
Services At Alghero Airport
- ARST Bus ticket vending machines
- Currency Exchange
- Tourist Information
- WIFI
- ATM
- Vending machines
- Airlines ticket office
- Baggage claim
- Toilet
- Disabled toilet
- Food, drink and retail concessions
Alghero Arrivals & Departures
Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB)
The Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport links 14 countries to the island. It’s a prominent entry point to explore the north of Sardinia, the Costa Smeralda and tourist destinations such as Budoni, Golfo Aranci, La Maddalena, Palau, and Santa Teresa di Gallura.
The main airlines that fly to Olbia are AirItaly, EasyJet, Vueling, Air Baltic, Iberia, AirBerlin, and Alitalia.
Olbia connects Sardinia to many cities across Europe, including London and Bristol, and numerous cities across Germany and France. View the map below to see all the flight routes to and from Olbia.
Address:
Aeroporto Olbia Costa Smeralda
Olbia
07026 Sardinia
ITALY
Phone: +39 789 563 444
Getting To The Town Of Olbia From The Airport
A bus is the best way to reach the city of Olbia. The journey takes 10 minutes; you can buy your tickets on the bus for €1.50 or €1 at the information desk inside the terminal. Bus services numbers 2 & 10 depart to the town every 10-30 minutes. Taxis into the town charge about €15.
Services At Olbia Airport
- Free Wi-Fi
- Tourist information desk
- Bike Rental
- Taxi’s outside arrivals
- ATMs
- Baby care facilities
- Currency exchange
- Duty-free stores
- Shops and Restaurants
- Information desk
- Luggage storage
Olbia Arrivals & Departures
Which Airport Is Best For Sardinia?
This answer depends on where you want to stay on the island. All of the airports in Sardinia have short connections to their city. From Cagliari Airport, you can take a 5-7 minute train journey to the city centre. Or you have the option of taking the bus or a taxi if you prefer.
Olbia Costa Smeralda and Alghero Fertilia have bus routes making it easy to reach the town centre. During the summer a coach connects Oblia Airport to many towns along the Costa Smeralda. Alghero Airport is accessible by car via the SS291 and SP44 main roads, and Olbia Airport is reachable via the SS127 and SS125.
Cagliari Airport is the main gateway to Sardinia. It serves the most travellers, and handles the most international flights, from across Europe.
Alghero and Olbia are much smaller airports but are located well for linking the north of Sardinia with Europe.
All of the airports of Sardinia serve their purpose well, connecting the island well with mainland of Italy, and other countries across Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Flying to and Arriving in Sardinia
Flying to Sardinia
- Which airports serve Sardinia?
- Sardinia is served by three main airports: Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG) in the south, Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) in the northeast, and Alghero-Fertilia Airport (AHO) in the northwest.
- What are the major airlines that operate flights to Sardinia?
- Several major airlines, including Ryanair, easyJet, Alitalia, and more, offer flights to Sardinia from various European cities.
- Are there direct flights to Sardinia from international destinations?
- Yes, there are direct flights to Sardinia from several European cities, making it convenient for international travelers.
- How do I find the best deals on flights to Sardinia?
- To find the best deals, consider using flight search engines and booking websites, and be flexible with your travel dates. Booking in advance can also lead to better prices.
- What is the average flight duration to Sardinia from major European cities?
- Flight durations vary depending on the departure city. On average, flights from major European cities take around 2 to 3 hours.
Arriving in Sardinia
- What transportation options are available from the airport to city centers in Sardinia?
- From the airports, you can find taxis, shuttle buses, and car rental services for convenient transportation to city centers.
- Do I need to go through customs and immigration when arriving in Sardinia?
- Yes, you’ll need to go through customs and immigration if you’re arriving from an international destination.
- Is there public transportation available from the airports to other parts of Sardinia?
- Yes, public transportation options like buses and trains connect the airports to different parts of Sardinia.
- Are there currency exchange services at the airports?
- Yes, most airports have currency exchange services where you can convert your money into euros.
- What are the COVID-19 related entry requirements for Sardinia?
- Entry requirements can change, so it’s important to check the latest COVID-19 guidelines and entry requirements before your trip.
- Can I rent a car at the airport in Sardinia?
- Yes, car rental services are available at all major airports in Sardinia, allowing you to explore the island at your own pace.
- Are there accommodations available near the airports?
- Yes, there are various hotels and accommodations located near the airports for travelers arriving in Sardinia.
- What are some popular tourist attractions near the airports in Sardinia?
- Depending on the airport, attractions like historical sites, beaches, and cultural landmarks can be found within a reasonable distance.
- Is there Wi-Fi available at the airports in Sardinia?
- Yes, most airports provide free Wi-Fi services for travelers.
- What languages are spoken at the airports in Sardinia?
- Italian and English are commonly spoken at the airports, making communication with airport staff relatively easy for international travelers.
These frequently asked questions should help you prepare for your journey to and arrival in Sardinia, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable travel experience from start to finish.