Sardinia is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, known for its impressive coastlines and unforgettable hilltop views.
If you’re looking to travel to Sardinia, you might be wondering what options you have available to you!
Getting there from mainland Italy can feel difficult, but what about other parts of Europe? What are some of the best routes to Sardinia?
If you’re wondering about this—don’t panic! You’ve come to the right article.
To help you plan ahead, we’re going to give you some of the most important routes from Sardinia to mainland Italy, as well as some other important European locations.
We’ve also made sure to include a short Frequently Asked Questions section to explore some of the most common questions around traveling to Sardinia.
Where Is Sardinia?
Sardinia is a large island off the coast of Italy, located in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Even though it is separated from Italy by a body of water, it is Italian territory and considered the second largest island in the country, behind Sicily.
It sits just below the island of Corsica, which belongs to France. With over 2000 km of coastline, Sardinia is an extremely popular location for its incredible beaches.
It’s a great place to go for an affordable vacation, only made better by its impressive mountainous interior and friendly locals.
No bridge connects mainland Italy to Sardinia, meaning one of the only ways to get there in a car is via the ferry.
This might make the passage over the water seem difficult, but there are many different routes you can take to get there.
In 2016, over 2 million people visited Sardinia over the course of the year, making it an extremely popular destination for vacationers.
Taking The Ferry To Sardinia
Taking the ferry to Sardinia is cheaper, but a more difficult option.
You should know that you can get a ferry from Italy to Sardinia all year round, however, they run most frequently through the main tourist months (summer).
A benefit of using the ferry is that you can bring your car with you, making it a perfect option if you’re already taking a road trip around Italy (or wider Europe).
The main places you can take a ferry from are Spain, France, Sicily, and mainland Italy.
There are a few main ports in Sardinia that connect to different ports around mainland Europe.
This includes Olbia, Golfo Aranci, and Porto Torres, all of which are located in the northern parts of the island.
There’s also a port on the east coast called Arbatax, and a port in Cagliari in the south. It’s also important to note that there is a ferry port that connects Sardinia and Corsica.
The fastest ferry you can get is most likely from Rome (actually located around 50 miles away in Civitavecchia).
From this port, you’re able to catch a connection to Olbia, Arbatax, and Cagliari.
If you want to travel more on the ferry once you arrive, then you can catch further connections to other parts of the island, or back to different parts of Italy.
One thing to note is that ferry trips can take quite some, so be prepared to wait upwards of seven hours.
With this said, thankfully ferries often depart late, and you’ll be able to sleep overnight. You can also get the ferry with or without a vehicle, and the price of your tickets will adjust accordingly.
Flying To Sardinia
Next up, let’s take a look at the options you have when traveling to Sardinia via air. Many people consider this the easiest way, as it is the least time-consuming.
That said, it can be expensive if you don’t take the time to search for the cheapest flights available.
First off, you should know that there are three airports in Sardinia. The first is in the northeast at the Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport.
The second is at the capital of Cagliari on the south of the island, and the third is at Alghero in the northwest.
Since Sardinia is an island, all of these airports are very close to cities with connecting transportation, making it easy to find your way around when your flight ends.
If you’re looking to get to Sardinia from Italy, the fastest and cheapest route you can take is going to be from Rome—as it is the closest, connecting city.
A flight from Rome (Fiumicino) to Cagliari (Sardinia) is around 242 miles and takes around 1 hour and 5 minutes.
Prices range depending on the time of year and what you’ll be able to find, but you can expect it to cost you around 100 euros.
If you want to get to Sardinia from other parts of Europe, this is most easily achieved by flying (see our ultimate guide to flying to Sardinia here).
There are flights to Sardinia from all major cities in Europe, making it an extremely accessible part of the continent.
This is mainly due to the high amount of tourism that Sardinia has garnered over the years.
Final Thoughts
So that was our short guide on how to get to Sardinia, both from mainland Italy, and other parts of Europe.
The main options you have are the ferry and by air, both have their pros and cons that can differ depending on the person who is traveling.
We hope that this article has helped you to understand the differences between them and that you’re now a lot more confident about which route you will take.
If you still have some questions, make sure to check out our short Frequently Asked Questions section below.
We wish you the best of luck on your travels and hope that it’s a smooth, calming trip to this beautiful Mediterranean island!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Expensive Is The Ferry From Italy To Sardinia?
It’s worth noting that prices vary depending on a few external factors. This could be the time of year, the availability of tickets, and the time of departure.
With that being said, the average price of tickets from Italy to Sardinia is around 150 euros, but this is always subject to change. We’d recommend booking well in advance to get the best deal!
What Is The Cheapest Way To Get To Sardinia?
The cheapest way to get to Sardinia depends on where you are in the world. We would suggest checking out a range of different travel options and hunting for the cheapest price you can find.
If you’re somewhere in Europe, flying to Sardinia might be the cheapest option you’ll have available to you.
How Safe Is Sardinia To Travel To?
Thankfully, it’s said that the crime rate in Sardinia is one of the lowest in all of Italy!
This means that you’re much less likely to come across a crime in Sardinia, especially when you compare it to other places across the nation.
Sardinia is generally considered a calm place to go with lots to do and very friendly people.
The countryside is also fairly safe, provided you make sure to be cautious when out on hikes or swimming in the ocean.
