Italy Guide
Sardinia
Arrival
If you're coming direct from the UK, you'll find the regular flights operated by Ryanair to Alghero and Olbia and by easyJet to Cágliari and Olbia hard to beat for price. From the Italian mainland there are frequent daily flights to all three of the island's airports from Rome, Milan and Bologna, with less frequent connections from smaller centres. Most routes are served by Alitalia, Air One and Meridiana; prices start at around €75 for a one-way Rome– Olbia ticket, and there are plenty of deals and weekend discounts available.
A cheaper option is to take a ferry from mainland Italy, as well as from Sicily, Corsica and France. You should make bookings several months in advance for summer crossings, even if you're on foot; August sailings can be fully booked up by May. Basic prices range from about €15 to €100 per person, depending on the season and the route taken: pricier tickets include use of a reclining armchair, while the cheapest tickets ("Ponte") involve sleeping on deck. A berth provides a better night's sleep, but adds another €20 or so. The charge for a vehicle starts at around €35 for a small car in low season. Fares on the high-speed ferries (mezzi veloci) are €30–90 travelling second-class (up to 50 percent more in the peak season), plus €50–120 for a small car. Look out for discounts applying to return tickets bought in advance within certain periods, and for special deals for a car plus two or three passengers.