Arrival & Transport
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.
Arrival by Ferry
The ferry is the alternative to flying — especially if you're traveling with your own car or camper. Several shipping companies connect Sardinia with the Italian mainland and Corsica.
Main Routes
| Route | Duration | Provider | Price from (Person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civitavecchia (Rome) → Olbia | 5–8h | Grimaldi, Tirrenia, Moby | €30 |
| Civitavecchia → Cagliari | 13–15h (night) | Tirrenia | €35 |
| Genoa → Olbia | 10–12h (night) | Moby, Tirrenia, GNV | €35 |
| Genoa → Porto Torres | 10–12h (night) | Tirrenia, GNV | €35 |
| Livorno → Olbia | 6–10h | Moby, Grimaldi | €25 |
| Bonifacio (Corsica) → Santa Teresa | 1h | Moby, Blu Navy | €15 |
Car Transport: From €50–80 for a car (off-season) up to €150–250 in high season. Campers are significantly more expensive. The night ferries (Genoa, Civitavecchia) are comfortable: cabins from €40, onboard restaurants, outdoor decks with sea views. Booking early is essential for August — ferries are often fully booked weeks in advance.
Compare and book ferries: directferries.de or ferryscanner.com. Tip: The Civitavecchia–Olbia route with Grimaldi Lines (fast ferry, 5h) is a pleasant daytime crossing, allowing you to enjoy the approach to Sardinia's northeast coast from the deck.
Local Transport
Rental Car — Indispensable
A rental car is practically essential on Sardinia — the island is 270 km long and 145 km wide, the most beautiful beaches and villages are off the main roads, and public transport is patchy. Sardinia has excellent roads (the main routes SS131 and SS131d are highway-like and toll-free!), and driving is much more relaxed than on the Italian mainland.
Prices: From €25/day (small car, off-season) to €70/day (SUV, high season August). Fully comprehensive insurance without excess is highly recommended — gravel roads to remote beaches are rocky. Note: In the high season (July/August), rental cars are often fully booked — book early! Local providers are sometimes cheaper than international chains.
Driving Style: Sardinians drive more calmly than on the mainland — there's less honking and pushing here. Be cautious on country roads: sheep, goats, and wild boars regularly cross the road, especially at dusk. The mountain roads in Gennargentu are winding and narrow — drive slowly and honk before blind curves.
Buses (ARST)
The state bus company ARST connects the larger cities and some coastal towns. The main lines (Cagliari–Sassari, Cagliari–Nuoro, Olbia–Sassari) run several times a day. However, for smaller towns and beaches, the connections are scarce and irregular — in Barbagia, some lines run only 1–2× daily. Website: arst.sardegna.it.
Train (Trenitalia / ARST Trenino Verde)
Sardinia has a small railway network connecting the main cities: Cagliari–Oristano–Sassari and Cagliari–Iglesias. The trains are slow but inexpensive and scenically appealing. Particularly recommended: The Trenino Verde (Green Train) — historical narrow-gauge railways that travel through breathtaking landscapes: the Mandas–Arbatax route (5 hours through gorges and over viaducts) is one of the most beautiful railway lines in Europe. Not an everyday connection, but a tourist experience (May–October, reservation required).
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