Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. It can definitely be hard to decide which part of the island will be your entry point. Lucky for you, there are 3 international airports on the island and they are located in different parts of the island.
The 3 airports in Sardinia are Cagliari Mario Mameli Airport (CAG), Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB), and Alghero-Fertilia Airport (AHO). If you want to visit south Sardinia, you can fly to Cagliari Airport. If you want to visit north Sardinia, Olbia Airport is located northeast of the island while Alghero Airport is located in the northwest.
In this article, we will talk about the different airports on the island of Sardinia. We will also talk about how to get to the city center from the airport so you won’t get lost once you step foot outside the airport terminal.
Which Of The Airports In Sardinia Should You Fly To?
The island of Sardinia is one of the major European destinations. It is a big island and if you are wondering what airport for Sardinia you should fly to, the answer will depend on which part of the island you want to visit. Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and there are three airports that you can fly in. These are Cagliari Mario Mameli Airport (CAG), Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB), and Alghero-Fertilia Airport (AHO).
If you are coming from major European cities, especially in mainland Italy, most of their airports have direct flights to Sardinia. The 3 airports in Sardinia are also a few miles away from the city center and there are several options to reach the city from the airport. You can definitely find low-cost airfare, especially during off-peak seasons.
Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG)
Cagliari Elmas Airport is located in the city of Cagliari which is also the capital and largest city in Sardinia. Cagliari Airport is the biggest airport on the island and there are several international and domestic flights that arrive and depart daily.
Cagliari is located in the south of Sardinia so if you are planning on staying in the southern part of the island, flying into Cagliari is the best option for you. The distance from the airport to the city center is about 7 km (4 miles) and it is easy to reach the city from the airport.
To get from Cagliari airport to the city center, you can either take the train, bus, or taxi. Alternatively, you can also rent a car or hire a private transfer. If you plan on renting a car, you can drive the SS130 road leaving the airport and the travel time would only take about 10 minutes. The train station, bus terminal, and taxis are also accessible from the airport so you can easily get to the city if you don’t plan to book a car rental service.
Services At Cagliari Airport
As the island’s biggest airport, you can expect several services at Cagliari Airport.
There are several restaurants inside the airport terminal so you don’t have to worry about getting hungry while waiting for your flight. There is also a VIP lounge in the airport where members of certain airlines can enjoy snacks, food, drinks, WiFi, and several reading materials such as magazines and newspapers. Other services in the airport include an Info Point for Wi-Fi access, a library, and an emergency room.
Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB)
Olbia Airport is also a large international airport in Sardinia that connects at least 16 cities to the island. Tourists who want to explore the northeast part of Sardinia make Olbia their point of entry. Flying to Olbia is the best option if you want to visit tourist areas such as Costa Smeralda, La Maddalena, Santa Teresa di Gallura, Aranci, and Palau.
Olbia Airport is only 4.2 km (2.5 miles) away from Olbia’s city center and it is also very easy to reach the city center from the airport. To get from Olbia Airport to Olbia, you can take the bus, taxi, private transfer, or by renting a car.
Several taxis can be found in front of the arrivals at the airport. There are also two city buses (line 2 and line 10) that connect the airport to the city. Line 2 buses go to the city every Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 8 PM with intervals of 30 minutes. Line 10 buses operate from Monday to Sunday from 7:30 AM to 7:45 PM with intervals of 45 minutes.
Services At Olbia Airport
Olbia Airport is smaller than Cagliari but it still has several services available for passengers. Some of these services include a Lost and Found office, a pharmacy, luxury stores, Info Point, Wi-Fi access, and a bookstore. Olbia Airport also has a Club Lounge for members of particular airlines or by paying for access (usually around 30-40 EUR).
Alghero Fertilia Airport (AHO)
The Alghero Airport, sometimes called Riviera del Corallo Airport, is the smallest airport in Sardinia. It is only 10 km (6.2 miles) away from the city center of Alghero.
This airport can also be an entry point for tourists looking to explore Northern Sardinia. Olbia Airport serves several areas of Sardinia – northwest, central eastern, and western Sardinia.
Some of the tourist spots on this part of the island are Castelsardo, Sassari, Porto Torres, and Santa Teresa di Gallura.
To get from Alghero Airport to Alghero, you can drive along the SS291 or SP44 state roads and the travel time will only take about 15 minutes. Other ways you can get to the city are via a bus which takes about 30 minutes or via taxis which are stationed at the arrivals area. Private transfers are also available if you are in a group and have a lot of luggage.
Alghero Airport Services
Some of the services at Alghero Airport include an Info Point, free Wi-Fi, souvenir shops, and a small pharmacy. There are also several restaurants and cafés in the airport if you find yourself hungry before your flight or once you have arrived on the island.
Conclusion
Sardinia has 3 airports that connect the island to several domestic and international cities. If you are having a hard time choosing which airport in Sardinia you should fly to, take a look at your itinerary. If you are going to visit southern Sardinia first, then flying to Cagliari Airport is the best option. If you want to explore northern Sardinia, then you have either Olbia Airport or Alghero Airport to choose from.
We hope this article helps you decide which airport in Sardinia you are going to fly into. If you have other questions, let us know!
