Sardinia, Italy: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Sardinia, Italy, is served by three main airports: Alghero 'Riviera del Corallo' Airport, Cagliari 'Elmas' Airport, and Olbia 'Costa Smeralda' Airport. These airports are located in the northwest, south, and east of the island, respectively, and are served by a variety of airlines, including both budget and regular carriers. Direct flights to Sardinia are available from numerous airports across Italy, as well as other European countries such as Switzerland, France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, and England.

Sardinia Airports

Sardinia's three main airports

Sardinia has three main airports: Cagliari Airport, Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport, and Alghero–Fertilia Airport.

Cagliari Airport

Cagliari Airport is Sardinia's main airport and is located just 7 kilometres from the centre of Cagliari. It is served by many domestic and international flights, including regular and seasonal flights by low-cost airlines such as Ryanair. The airport has only one terminal, with arrivals on the ground floor and departures on the second floor. The train station is located outside the passenger terminal and offers regular trains to downtown Cagliari, departing every 6 minutes.

Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport

Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport is the best choice for those visiting northwestern Sardinia, including San Teodoro, Porto Cervo, and La Maddalena Archipelago. The airport is smaller than Cagliari Airport and has only one terminal with two floors. The check-in counters and boarding gates are located on the ground floor, while the second floor features a small museum and several luxury stores. Olbia Airport is served by several major airlines, including Air Italy, Alitalia, and Lufthansa.

Alghero–Fertilia Airport

Alghero–Fertilia Airport, also known as Alghero Riviera del Corallo Airport, is located in the northwest of Sardinia and serves the city of Alghero and the surrounding area. The airport is served by several low-cost carriers, including Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air. Alghero–Fertilia Airport has a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as a tourist information office and a car rental service.

Cagliari Airport

The airport first opened on 3 May 1937 and has since undergone upgrades and expansions. In 2003, the terminal was expanded to include six jet bridges for passenger boarding, increasing its capacity to 4 million passengers per year. In 2018, the airport handled 4,370,014 passengers, making it the busiest airport in Sardinia. Cagliari Airport, in collaboration with Olbia and Alghero airports, actively participates in initiatives for the region's economic development. For instance, they hosted a roundtable discussion on economic development in Sardinia, with key stakeholders in attendance. Additionally, new flights connecting Cagliari Airport to Copenhagen are expected to be operational twice a week from July 1, 2025, by SAS Scandinavian Airlines.

The island of Sardinia is a popular holiday destination for European travellers, known for its great weather, beaches, and sightseeing attractions. Cagliari, in particular, offers a range of experiences for tourists, from its vibrant city life to its beautiful beaches. The airport's proximity to the city centre makes it a convenient gateway for visitors. With its high passenger traffic and busy terminal, Cagliari Airport plays a crucial role in facilitating tourism and economic growth in Sardinia.

Olbia Airport

Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (IATA: OLB, ICAO: LIEO) is an airport in Olbia, Sardinia, Italy. It handles flights from major Italian and European destinations, including direct flights from Heathrow and Manchester in the UK. The airport is managed by Geasar S.p.A and was the primary operating base for Italian airline Air Italy, whose headquarters were located there. Olbia Airport is connected to the local motorways SS125 and SS729, and several bus services operate to and from the airport.

The airport has a large car park with more than 1,100 guarded parking stalls available to passengers 24 hours a day. The car park is divided into three sectors: Sector A for long-stay parking located to the west of the airport, Sector B for long-stay parking located to the east, and Sector C for short-term parking, which is the closest to the airport.

Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport has a variety of shops, restaurants, a wine bar, a small art gallery, and indoor garden areas featuring local flora. The airport also provides services such as dining, a club lounge, fast track, luggage storage, after-beach showers, and special assistance.

The airport has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including the introduction of jet flights in 1972 and the construction of a new terminal in 2004, capable of handling 4.5 million passengers annually. The new terminal has 40 check-in desks and ten boarding gates, five of which are equipped with jet bridges.

Alghero Airport

Sardinia, Italy, has three main airports: Olbia in the northeast, Cagliari in the south, and Alghero–Fertilia Airport, which is also known as Alghero Airport or Alghero-Riviera del Corallo Airport. Located 8 km north-northwest of the city of Alghero, Alghero Airport is a small regional airport that opened in March 1938 as a military airport. During World War II, it was equipped with a 700-metre runway, which was later lengthened and improved. In the early 1960s, civil activities moved to the east side of the property, and an old hangar was converted into a passenger terminal.

In 1980, Alitalia established a flight school at Alghero Airport, which operated until March 2003. The airport has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including the construction of a new terminal that increased the terminal area from 8,000 m2 to approximately 14,000 m2. The airport can be reached via the Strada Statale 42 from Alghero Centre, and via the SS 131 Carlo Felice Highway and the SS 291 from the rest of the island.

A variety of airlines offer flights to and from Alghero Airport, including Alitalia, Blue Air, easyJet, Ryanair, Vueling, and Wizz Air. These airlines provide year-round flights to various destinations in Italy, Spain, and Romania, as well as seasonal flights to other European countries.

Airlines that fly to Sardinia

Sardinia is served by three airports: Alghero Airport (AHO), Cagliari Airport (CAG), and Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB). These airports offer a range of direct and connecting flights from across Europe, including from Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, and England.

When travelling to Sardinia from the United States, you will need to catch a connecting flight in London or another European city. Airlines that fly from London to Sardinia include easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, Lufthansa, Vueling, and SWISS.

EasyJet offers 5 nonstop flights per week from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB). Ryanair offers 11 direct flights per week, while easyJet offers 5. The cheapest round-trip flight from London to Sardinia starts at $69, and the cheapest one-way flight starts at $29.

Lufthansa offers 195 connecting flights per week from Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG) and Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB). Vueling offers 61 connecting flights per week from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) and Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG). SWISS offers 44 connecting flights per week from London City Airport (LCY), London Gatwick Airport (LGW), and Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG) and Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB).

The main companies flying direct to Olbia are Air Italy (former-Meridiana), Alitalia, AirBerlin, Lufthansa, and Iberia. Low-cost companies flying to Olbia include Easyjet, Vueling, Eurowings, and Air Baltic. Alitalia also serves the northwest, central, eastern, and western areas of Sardinia, alongside low-cost companies Wizz Air, Easyjet, and Ryanair.

Frequently asked questions