Sardinia is the largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily, and is easily accessibly by sea and air, with daily flights from all the major Italian and European capital centres.
Sardinia lies 187km (116mi) to the west of the Italian mainland and just 16km (10mi) south of the French island of Corsica.
Sardinia has three international airports, which offer a choice of flights from all the major European airlines as well as from several low-cost carriers, especially during the summer tourist season.
With a very efficient road and transport system, Sardinia is small enough that you can easily fly into any airport and then take a bus, taxi or hire car to your destination.
Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) is located 4km (2.4mi) from the town centre of Olbia, in northwest Sardinia. A regular shuttle bus connects the airport and Olbia’s centre every 20-30 minutes, a 10-minute ride.
Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG) is located about 7km (4mi) from the city of Cagliari, in southern Sardinia. Local trains connect the airport to the centre of Cagliari in around 10 minutes.
Alghero–Fertilia Airport (AOH) is located around 8km (5mi) north of the city of Alghero, in northeast Sardinia. A regular shuttle bus runs from the airport to Alghero and other towns on the island.
From outside Europe, the most convenient route to Sardinia often requires a connecting flight from a European city, such as Rome or Milan, to Cagliari, Olbia or Alghero airports – depending on which resort you're planning on visiting. Each airport receives daily flights from all the major European cities.
By ferry, the east coast port of Olbia, which offers easy access to the chic resorts of Costa Esmeralda and Porto Rotondo, is just seven hours from Civitavecchia on the Italian mainland, around 80km north of Rome. Ferries also run to and from the capital, Cagliari.
The following are the most convenient and quickest routes to Sardinia.
Within Italy: Meridiana and easyJet offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB), Sardinia.
Milan to Olbia Costa Smeralda is 1 hr 15 min, direct flight
Rome to Olbia Costa Smeralda is 55 min, direct flight
From United Kingdom: British Airways and easyJet offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB), Sardinia.
London to Sardinia is 2 hrs 30 min, direct flight
Manchester to Sardinia is 2 hrs 45 min, direct flight
From France: EasyJet offers the most convenient scheduled flights to Olbia (OLB) and Cagliari (CAG), Sardinia.
Paris to Sardinia is 2 hrs 5 min, direct flight
From Germany: Condor Flugdienst, Eurowings and Lufthansa offer the most convenient flights to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB), Sardinia.
Berlin to Sardinia is 2 hrs 25 min, direct flight
Dusseldorf to Sardinia is 2 hrs, direct flight
Frankfurt to Sardinia 1 hr 45 min, direct flight
Hamburg to Sardinia is 2 hrs 25 min, direct flight
Munich to Sardinia is 1 hr 40 min, direct flight
From United States: KLM, Transavia Holland, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, easyJet and United Airlines offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Olbia (OLB), Alghero (AOH) and Cagliari (CAG) airports in Sardinia.
Atlanta to Sardinia is 11 hrs 29 min, connecting flightˆ
Boston to Sardinia is 10 hrs 19 min, connecting flightˆ
Chicago to Sardinia is 11 hrs, connecting flightˆ
Dallas-Fort Worth to Sardinia is 13 hrs 25 min, connecting flightˆ
New York to Sardinia is 11 hrs 10 min, connecting flightˆ
Los Angeles to Sardinia is 13 hrs 35 min, connecting flightˆ
San Francisco to Sardinia is 13 hrs 40 min, connecting flightˆ
From Canada: Air Canada, KLM, Transavia Holland, Lufthansa and easyJet offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Olbia (OLB) and Cagliari (CAG) airports in Sardinia.
Toronto to Sardinia is 10 hrs 20 min, connecting flightˆ
Montreal to Sardinia is 9 hrs 30 min, connecting flightˆ
Vancouver to Sardinia is 12 hrs 25 min, connecting flightˆ
From Australia: Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa and easyJet offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Olbia (OLB), Alghero (AOH) and Cagliari (CAG) airports in Sardinia.
Adelaide to Sardinia is 25 hrs 20 min, connecting flightˆ
Brisbane to Sardinia is 26 hrs 5 min, connecting flightˆ
Sydney to Sardinia is 25 hrs 35 min, connecting flightˆ
Melbourne to Sardinia is 23 hrs 50 min, connecting flightˆ
Perth to Sardinia is 21 hrs 25 min, connecting flightˆ
From New Zealand: Air New Zealand and Lufthansa offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Olbia (OLB), Alghero (AOH) and Cagliari (CAG) airports in Sardinia.
Auckland to Sardinia is 28 hrs 20 min, connecting flightsˆ
From Singapore: Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Condor Flugdeinst and EasyJet offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Olbia (OLB), Alghero (AOH) and Cagliari (CAG) airports in Sardinia.
Singapore to Sardinia is 15 hrs 25 min, connecting flightˆ
(ˆincludes transfer time.)
Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) is located 4km (2.4mi) from the town centre of Olbia, in northwest Sardinia.
Taxi: Taxis are available 24 hours from the Arrivals area. Journey time into Olbia city is about 10-15 minutes, and fares start at around €15-20.
Shuttle: A regular shuttle bus operates between the airport and Olbia’s town centre every 20-30 minutes, taking 10 minutes.
Bus: Bus number 2 and 10 (tel: +39 800 191 847; www.aspoolbia.it) run frequently between the airport and central Olbia, taking about 15-20 minutes with a fare of €1.
A bus service runs from Olbia Airport to Santa Teresa Gallura, taking around 1 hour and 30 minutes, three times daily.
International car rental companies represented at the airport include Avis, Europcar, Hertz and Maggiore, along with several local operators. The car rental centre is located about 50m (164ft) from Arrivals.
Money: There are ATMs, a bank and a bureau de change located within the terminal.
Food: The airport has a full-service restaurant overlooking the runway, plus several cafés and a wine bar.
Shopping: A selection of shops offer local gifts, souvenirs and food items. There are also duty-free goods available for passengers leaving the EU.
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is accessible in all areas, and public telephones are dotted throughout the terminal.
Other: Other facilities at Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport include baby changing rooms and a first aid centre. Bicycle rental and maintenance is also available.
The airport is fully accessible, with lifts, disabled toilet facilities and specially adapted telephones.
There is a special room dedicated to welcoming and assisting disabled passengers, along with a meeting point after baggage reclaim.
Designated disabled parking is available immediately opposite the terminal entrance, and there are special meeting points within the terminals for those requiring help.
Any passengers who may require additional assistance are advised to contact their airline before travelling.
A passport valid for at least six months beyond intended period of stay, a return/onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.
Hiring a car or motorcycle provides the most freedom to explore Sardinia's rural villages, mountainous hinterland and mainly uncrowded beaches.
The public bus and train system offers a fairly inexpensive way to get around the island's more popular regions, but elsewhere public transport can be time-consuming and difficult. Services also slow to a trickle during the low season.
Taxis are available but expensive. Bikes are available for hire in the main tourist areas.
More information on how to get around Sardinia…
Latest update: How to get to Sardinia: 10 May, 2022
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