Strictly Sardinia: "How To Get To Sardinia"

Host: Claudia Tavani
Episode Date: February 6, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Claudia Tavani leverages her local expertise to provide a comprehensive guide on how to reach Sardinia, Italy. She details both air and ferry options, giving practical advice for travelers from Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia. Claudia also demystifies local transport nuances, airline reputations, seasonal variations, and suggests booking strategies, making this a must-listen for anyone planning a Sardinian getaway.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Main Ways to Reach Sardinia

Timestamps: 00:40 – 02:05

• Two Options: "There are only two ways of getting to Sardinia. Because we're an island, it's either by plane or by ferry." (00:50)
• Planes are preferable: Flying is generally faster, easier, and cheaper than the ferry. Ferries mainly make sense if you want to bring your own car, but renting a car upon arrival is common.

2. Sardinia’s Airports and Their Locations

Timestamps: 02:06 – 03:15

• Sardinia has three main airports:
  • Cagliari Elmas (South & Central)
  • Alghero Fertilia (Northwest)
  • Olbia Costa Smeralda (Northeast)
• All airports are conveniently close to their respective cities, making bus, taxi, or train transfers easy.

3. Key Flight Routes from Italy

Timestamps: 03:16 – 06:10

• Flight durations: Rome to Sardinia (50 min–1 hr), Milan to Sardinia (1 hr–1 hr 10 min)
• Main airports with most connections: Milano Linate and Rome Fiumicino to Cagliari and Olbia are the busiest.
• Airlines: Flights from Rome & Milan to Cagliari and Olbia are run by AeroItalia; flights from Rome & Milan to Alghero by ITA Airways.

Notable Quote:

• "Oftentimes people ask me whether [AeroItalia] is a reliable airline. Well, it's not just reliable. It's the only one that at the moment has direct connections from Cagliari and Olbia to Rome and Milan." (06:00)

4. The “Continuità Territoriale” System

Timestamps: 06:11 – 06:50

• "These flights are operated under what we call continuita territoriale, which literally means territorial continuity, which is intended to regularly connect mainland Italy to Sardinia as a service for residents. The service cannot be interrupted." (06:20)
• Flights may be delayed, but rarely cancelled due to this regulation.

5. Domestic and European Budget Flights

Timestamps: 06:51 – 08:39

• Numerous Italian cities have direct flights, especially with budget carriers (Ryanair, EasyJet, Eurowings, Volotea, Wizz Air).
• More options during peak travel (May–October); limited in low season.

Notable Quote:

• "Most budget flights to Sardinia are operated by the biggest budget airline in Europe, Ryanair." (07:24)

6. Direct International Flights to Sardinia

Timestamps: 08:40 – 09:50

• Major European cities with direct flights:
  • London Gatwick (British Airways)
  • Munich (Lufthansa)
  • Paris Orly (Air France)
  • Amsterdam (KLM)
• Extra Ryanair routes during summer: Dublin, London Stansted, Paris Beauvais, etc.

7. Booking Tips

Timestamps: 09:51 – 10:30

• Claudia recommends using Skyscanner for flight comparison, then booking directly with the airline.
• "If you're traveling to Sardinia in the summer months, I strongly advise to book as early as is feasible... because prices tend to skyrocket during the peak season." (10:20)

8. For Travelers from the US, Australia, and Asia

Timestamps: 10:31 – 12:30

• No direct flights from North America, Asia, Australia, or New Zealand.
• Best to connect via Rome Fiumicino or Milan (note: in Milan, international flights arrive at Malpensa, but domestic departures for Sardinia are from Linate—airport switch required).
• Rome Fiumicino is the most convenient, as both international arrivals and Sardinian departures are from the same terminal.

Notable Quote:

• "Overall, I find that the best place to connect if you're coming to Sardinia from North America or from Australia or Asia is via Rome Fiumicino Airport." (12:00)

9. Arriving by Ferry

Timestamps: 12:31 – 16:29

• Main ferry ports in Sardinia: Olbia, Golfo Aranci, Porto Torres, Arbatax, Cagliari, Santa Teresa di Gallura (for Corsica only).
• Ferry journey duration: Regular ferries take 10–15 hours, fast summer ferries (Livorno to Olbia/Golfo Aranci) take ~5 hours.
• Operators: Tirrenia, Grimaldi Lines, Moby, GNV, Sardinia Ferries, Corsica Ferries, etc.
• Ferries depart from Civitavecchia (near Rome), Genoa, Livorno, Piombino (Italy), and once a week from Toulon, Marseille (France), and Barcelona (Spain).

Notable Quote:

• "I don't really recommend traveling to Sardinia by ferry because it takes a long time and... if the sea conditions are a bit rough. It can take between 10 and 15 hours..." (13:40)
• "When it comes to booking the ferry to Sardinia, I normally recommend using Ferry Hopper, which is a comparison site... like a booking site altogether." (15:20)

10. Cruises

Timestamps: 16:30 – 16:59

• “There also are cruises to Sardinia… It’s not really a way to get to Sardinia, I say, because you only get to spend a day in Sardinia and then you go away on the same cruise.” (16:35)
• Not a practical method for a Sardinia-focused holiday.

Summary Tips & Final Words

Timestamps: 17:00 – 18:08

• For European travelers: Wide choice of direct flights, especially with Ryanair and other budget airlines to Alghero, Cagliari, and Olbia.
• For Italian travelers: Direct and frequent flights from nearly all major cities, especially via Rome Fiumicino or Milan Linate.
• From outside Europe: Go via Rome Fiumicino for the most seamless experience.
• Early booking is essential during high season (May–October) for the best rates and availability.
• Claudia teases the next episode on “Where to Stay in Sardinia.”

Memorable Quotes

• "It's either by plane or by ferry." (00:50)
• "These flights are operated under what we call continuita territoriale... the service cannot be interrupted." (06:20)
• "If you're traveling to Sardinia in the summer months, I strongly advise to book as early as is feasible... because prices tend to skyrocket during the peak season." (10:20)
• "Rome Fiumicino is the most convenient... both international arrivals and Sardinian departures are from the same terminal." (12:25)
• "I don't really recommend traveling to Sardinia by ferry because it takes a long time and... if the sea conditions are a bit rough." (13:40)

Notable Segments with Timestamps

• Main transport introduction: 00:40 – 02:05
• Airports & city access: 02:06 – 03:15
• Flight options and airlines: 03:16 – 08:39
• Booking advice: 09:51 – 10:30
• International connection tips: 10:31 – 12:30
• Ferry details and booking: 12:31 – 16:29
• Cruises & final thoughts: 16:30 – 18:08

Tone & Style

Claudia delivers advice in a friendly, reassuring, and practical tone enriched by her local perspective—balancing helpful specifics with encouragement and humor, putting listeners at ease about their Sardinia planning logistics.

This summary offers a comprehensive guide to the episode, equipping travelers with all necessary information to choose and arrange their trip to Sardinia efficiently and confidently.