Airports in Sardinia: Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero — which one to choose for your area
Sardinia has three airports — Cagliari Elmas, Olbia Costa Smeralda and Alghero Fertilia — and choosing the wrong one can cost you three hours of driving on arrival day. Each serves as the 'gateway' to a macro-area of the island: here you’ll find a practical comparison between the three airports, the distances to the most sought-after destinations, the bus and train connections and tips for deciding based on where you'll be staying.
Cagliari Elmas (CAG): the gateway to the south
It is the busiest airport on the island, connected year-round with major Italian cities and many European destinations, even in low season. It serves all of southern Sardinia: the center of Cagliari is 7 minutes by train from the terminal (the station is integrated into the airport — a rare case in Italy), Pula and the Nora lagoon are 40 minutes away by car, Chia is just under an hour, Villasimius and Costa Rei are about an hour away. Heading west, Oristano and the Sinis peninsula can be reached in an hour and a half, and Carloforte in two hours by ferry from Portovesme. It’s also the right choice for Barumini and the nuragic palace of Su Nuraxi (50 minutes) and, in general, for those wanting to visit the island in the off-season: it’s the airport with the most winter flights.
Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB): the gateway to the northeast
The ultimate holiday airport: in summer, connections multiply with direct flights from all over Europe, while in winter the operation reduces significantly. It serves Gallura and the entire northeastern coast: Olbia city is 10 minutes away, Golfo Aranci is 20 minutes, San Teodoro and Budoni are half an hour, Arzachena and Costa Smeralda are 30-40 minutes, Palau (ferry to La Maddalena) is 45 minutes and Santa Teresa Gallura (ferries to Corsica) is an hour away. Cala Gonone and the Gulf of Orosei can also be comfortably reached in an hour and a half. Be careful of the prices: in high season, flights to Olbia are among the most expensive in Italy. Booking well in advance makes a difference.
Alghero Fertilia (AHO): the gateway to the northwest
It is the smallest airport of the three, mainly serviced by low-cost airlines: it is often the most economical option to reach the island. It serves the Coral Riviera and the northwest: Alghero is 15 minutes away (there is also an urban bus), Sassari is half an hour, Stintino and La Pelosa beach are 45 minutes, Bosa and its wild coast are less than an hour away. Porto Torres, with ferries from Genoa and to Asinara, is 35 minutes away. If you find a cheap flight to Alghero but are staying in the northeast, be cautious: Costa Smeralda is still a 2-hour drive away.
Which airport for which area: the practical table
The golden rule: choose the airport based on the area where you'll be staying, not the flight price. Crossing the island costs hours of driving (Olbia–Chia: 3.5 hours), and saving 60 € on the ticket can quickly disappear in fuel costs and lost time. The table below summarizes, for the most sought-after destinations, the recommended airport and the indicative driving time from the airport to the destination. Further down, you'll also find the interactive map and a comparison of travel times from the three airports.
Connections: buses, trains, and car rentals
Cagliari is the only Sardinian airport with an integrated train station: trains run approximately every 20 minutes to the center (7 minutes, low-cost ticket). From Olbia, urban buses depart to the center and the station (lines 4 and 10), and in summer, direct buses to San Teodoro, Costa Smeralda, Palau, and Santa Teresa. From Alghero, an urban bus connects the airport to the city and there are services to Sassari. That said, to explore beaches and coves, renting a car is still almost essential: all three airports have counters for the major companies in the terminal. In August, book your car weeks in advance — last-minute rates can triple. If you prefer to move without a car, choose a city base (Cagliari, Alghero, or Olbia) and take advantage of daily excursions by boat or minivan.
Practical tips for flights
Book early: summer in Sardinia is one of the most expensive routes in Italy, and prices rise starting in March. Low-cost flights to Alghero and winter flights to Cagliari are the best deals. Only consider alternative airports if the savings are real: saving 60 € on the flight can quickly be eaten up by fuel and hours of driving if you land on the wrong side of the island. If you are traveling with family or a lot of luggage, also compare the ferry: bringing your own car eliminates the rental cost. We discuss this in our guide on how to get to and move around Sardinia.
How many airports are there in Sardinia?
Three: Cagliari Elmas (CAG) in the south, Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB) in the northeast and Alghero Fertilia (AHO) in the northwest. Cagliari is the busiest and best-connected year-round; Olbia is the airport of Costa Smeralda with many summer flights; Alghero is the smallest, served mainly by low-cost carriers.
Which airport is closest to Costa Smeralda?
Olbia Costa Smeralda: Porto Cervo and Arzachena are 30-40 minutes away by car, San Teodoro is about 30 minutes, Palau (for La Maddalena) is 45 minutes. Landing in Cagliari for Costa Smeralda means over 3 hours of driving.
Which airport to choose for southern Sardinia (Chia, Villasimius, Pula)?
Cagliari Elmas, without a doubt: Pula is 40 minutes away, Chia is just under an hour, and Villasimius is about an hour. It is also the only Sardinian airport with an integrated train station inside the terminal, with trains to downtown Cagliari in 7 minutes.
Which airport is more convenient for Stintino and La Pelosa?
Alghero Fertilia: Stintino is about 45 minutes away by car. Alternatively, you can land in Olbia, but it takes about 2 hours from there. Alghero is also convenient for Sassari (30 minutes) and Bosa (less than an hour).
How do you get from Cagliari airport to the city center?
By train: the Elmas Airport station is connected to the terminal by a pedestrian bridge and trains to downtown Cagliari take about 7 minutes, with frequent services throughout the day. Alternatively, there are taxis and major car rental services directly at the airport.
Is it worthwhile to land at one airport and depart from another?
Yes, if your itinerary crosses the island: for example, landing in Olbia, traveling down the east coast, and departing from Cagliari avoids making the 3-hour drive back. Just be sure that the car rental allows drop-off in a different city (usually with a 'one-way' fee).