Airports Compared: Olbia, Cagliari, or Alghero?
Sardinia has three international airports, each serving a different corner of the island. Which one makes sense mainly depends on which region you plan to visit.
Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB)
A small, modern regional airport south of Olbia, with around two million passengers a year. Ideal for anyone heading to the northeast: Costa Smeralda, Golfo Aranci, San Teodoro, or on toward La Maddalena and Palau. From here, the ferry ports of Olbia and Golfo Aranci are also just a few minutes away, in case you're combining flight and ferry travel.
Cagliari Elmas (CAG)
The island's largest and busiest airport, right on the capital's doorstep. A good choice for anyone planning to visit the south (Poetto, Chia, Villasimius) or a full round trip of the island – from here, both the southwest and (with more driving time) the east are easy to reach.
Alghero Fertilia (AHO)
Served mainly by Ryanair, in the island's northwest. A natural choice for anyone visiting Alghero itself, the Grotte di Nettuno, Stintino/Pelosa, or the Sinis Peninsula – regions that would mean a significant detour from Olbia or Cagliari.
Airlines
From the larger airports in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, carriers including Eurowings, Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Condor, and easyJet, as well as budget carrier Ryanair, serve all three airports – the latter mainly to/from Alghero and Cagliari.
Practical notes
- Seasonal flight schedules: outside the summer season, many routes are significantly reduced or cancelled entirely – check ahead of time.
- Rental cars right at the airport: all three airports have rental car counters directly in the terminal – without your own car, a rental is practically mandatory.
- Combining with the ferry: if you're planning a round trip, you could fly into Cagliari and leave by ferry from Olbia/Golfo Aranci (or vice versa).