Planning a vacation to Sardinia? Since Sardinia is an island in the middle of Mediterranean Sea, approximately same distance to all the continental lands, the answer of how to get to Sardinia is quite extensive. To sum up, we can say, there are three main options to go to Sardinia Italy:
- International Flights: flying from France, Spain, the UK and many other European countries.
- Domestic Flights: Wherever you can find a cheap flight works, Rome, Milan, Bologna all can be an option.
- A ferry ride from many ports in Italy, France and Spain
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How to get to Sardinia by plane?
Sardinia has three international airports in its three main cities: Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero. You can fly from many European countries like France, Spain, Germany, Great Britain etc. There are many domestic flights from main Italian cities like Rome, Milan, Bologna.
Sardinia airports
- Cagliari airport : (airport code CAG)
- Olbia airport: (airport code OLB)
- Alghero airport : (airport code AHO)
Checking live flights info in the links above, can give an idea about the flying airlines and the departing cities to the island. Some budget airlines fly to Sardinia, too.
How to get to Sardinia from Rome?
Two options for how to get to Sardinia from Rome are: going by air or by boat. There are many direct flights from Rome airports to Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero. The flights are about 1 hour long and can cost about €40-80.
If you prefer riding a boat, you can catch a ferry from Civitavecchia port, about 50 miles (80 km) outside Rome. There are many ferry lines departing from this port. More information about ferries is bellow.
How to get to Sardinia from the UK?
British Airways has direct flights from London to Cagliari and Olbia. Cagliari is the capital city and hence more popular option, meaning higher prices to fly. Olbia is a less known destination, indeed a hidden gem for most international travelers. There are many beautiful beaches around Olbia, if not the best on the island. As a bonus, Olbia flights can be cheaper, you can even find a bargain price!
We flew to Sardinia from London with British Airways. Thanks to booking our ticket quite in advance, we had found cheap return flights about £100 per person.
How to get to Sardinia from the US?
There are no direct flights to Sardinia from the US. You need to have a connection at one of European airports. Airlines like British Airways, Lufthansa, Iberia and Air France fly to Cagliari or Olbia in Sardinia with only one connection from the US.
How to get to Sardinia by ferry?
Which ferry companies go to Sardinia?
- Grimaldi Lines: for routes and ticket prices company webpage is here
- Moby Lines: for routes and ticket prices company webpage is here
- GNV: for routes and ticket prices company webpage is here
- Tirrenia: or routes and ticket prices company webpage is here
Ferries to Sardinia from Italy
Ferry departing ports in Italy:
- Rome – Civitavecchia
- Genoa
- Naples
- Palermo (Sicily)
- Livorno
- Piombino
- Savona
Ferry arrival ports in Sardinia:
- Cagliari
- Olbia
- Porto Torres
- Golfo Aranci
- Arbatax
- Santa Teresa di Gallura (from Corsica)
Ferry Rides from Rome to Sardinia
Ferries depart from Civitavecchia port in Rome and go to Sardinia ports like Olbia, Porto Torres, Cagliari, and Arbatax. The shortest route to Sardinia is Civitavecchia – Olbia. It takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes for day trips to 7 – 8 hours for night trips. Ferry prices from Rome to Sardinia start from €23 / €47 depending to the company.
Ferry Rides from France and Spain
Some ferry routes from France to Sardinia:
- Nice – Porto Torres
- Marseille – Porto Torres
- Toulun – Porto Torres
- Toulun – Golfo Aranci
- Corsica island – Santa Teresa di Gallura or Porto Torres
Ferry route from Spain to Sardinia:
- Barcelona – Porto Torres (Grimaldi Lines)
Best way to get to Sardinia
In conclusion, the best way to go to Sardinia depends what preference you have. For us, we wanted to get to the island as soon as possible, so we preferred a direct flight from London. However we had to rent a car after our arrival. Since the island is very big, you need your own vehicle to cover all the places in your itinerary. Besides, for international travelers, a connecting flight from Rome, London or another European city is a chance to visit one more place on the way to Sardinia.
Despite the longer riding times, ferries can be a better option for your budget. Also you can get your own car to the island with the ferries. Meaning no rental car costs, and more flexibility especially when traveling with little kids.
Where to stay in Sardinia?
Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero are the three main cities in Sardinia. All three of them have airports close to cities, lots of things to do and places to visit around the city. Moreover, amazing beaches are in close distance to these cities, which definitely is the main reason to go to Sardinia.
- Cagliari hotels can be found at €80-160 price range. For Cagliari hotels options click here.
- Olbia hotels can be found at €75-150 price range. For Olbia hotels options click here.
- Alghero hotels can be found at €40-100 price range. For Alghero hotels options click here.