Arrival by Airplane
Sardinia has three international airports — the choice depends on your travel region:
Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB)
The airport in the northeast, ideal for the Costa Smeralda, La Maddalena, Gallura, and the east coast. Direct flights from Germany with Eurowings (Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart), Ryanair (Berlin, Cologne), easyJet (Berlin), and Condor (Frankfurt). Numerous connections in the season (April–October). Flight time: 1.5–2.5 hours. Prices: €60–300 return.
Cagliari Elmas (CAG)
Sardinia's main airport in the south, well-connected year-round. Direct flights with Ryanair (numerous German cities), Eurowings, and Condor. Ideal for Cagliari, the southern coast, Su Nuraxi, and the west. Largest network of the three airports.
Alghero Fertilia (AHO)
The smallest airport in the northwest, ideal for Alghero, Bosa, and the west coast. Direct flights with Ryanair (some German cities). Fewer connections than Olbia and Cagliari, but perfect for western Sardinia.
Transfer Times Between Airports
| Route | Distance | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Olbia → Cagliari | 270 km | approx. 3 hours |
| Olbia → Alghero | 130 km | approx. 1.5 hours |
| Cagliari → Alghero | 225 km | approx. 2.5 hours |
Pro Tip: Fly into one airport and out of another (e.g., Olbia → Cagliari) — this saves you the return journey and lets you see more of the island. One-way rental cars sometimes incur a surcharge of €30–50.
💡 Tipp
Book flights and rental cars for August at least 2–3 months in advance — Sardinia is in high demand during the Italian Ferragosto, and prices double. In the off-season (May, June, September), you can often find flights under €50 one-way.
