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“Our plane was delayed so arrived a couple of hours late. We had rung ahead to warn them. We had a much bigger car than expected. But we had a long wait to pick it up, (about 50 minutes queuing) which was a shame as already late in the evening. Very quick to drop off back at the end of our holidays. Overall very satisfied.”
“Staff at desk in Cagliari were excellent”
Cagliari Airport, Sardinia's main transport hub, is located just less than five miles from the city centre. Tourists landing at Sardinia's primary international gateway can arrange car hire on site to explore what is one of Europe's most idyllic islands in its entirety.
Who to Book With
Numerous car hire suppliers operate in the main terminal. Among them are: Sardinya Rent a Car, Eurorent, Easy Car, Autoeuropa, Pinna Rent a Car, Pintauro Rent a Car, Avis, Autonoleggio, Budget and Matta Rent a Car. The desks of these companies are easy to find in the airport's Arrivals area.
Need to Know Essentials
You will need to show the following paperwork at vehicle collection:
- Valid driver’s licence
- The credit card that was used to made the reservation
- Valid passport to confirm booker's ID
- Printed confirmation of booking
Driving
Due to limited public transport options on the island, driving is generally considered to be the best way to get around Sardinia. The island has no toll highways and roads such as the Strada Statale connect most towns and cities. Many roads wind through mountainous or hilly terrain, meaning that care should be exerted while driving inland. Drivers are encouraged to use their car horns on bends as a safety precaution. Local drivers who know the roads often travel at speeds which are in excess of the local limits. Finding a parking space in the centre of Cagliari is difficult.
See our guide to Italy for more information on driving here.
The short distance between the airport and the city centre can be covered by car, bus or taxi, with self-drive the most popular choice outside of rush hours. Buses have a limited schedule and don’t run at night.
Trains
Cagliari Airport isn't on the island’s rail network, yet passengers can easily access Cagliari Station in the city for connections to Sassari in the northwest.
Taxis
Taxis can be caught 24 hours from the taxi rank outside Cagliari Airport's main terminal. They are reasonably priced but are more expensive than buses, with price increases between 22:00 and 06:00 and extra charges for luggage or more than three passengers. All taxis come with a meter but prices can sometimes be negotiated. One of the main operators is Cooperativa Radio Taxi.
Taxi prices:
Cagliari Airport to Cagliari city centre is about £15
Cagliari Airport to Sassari is about £250
Cagliari Airport to Costa Smeralda is about £400
Buses
Buses are the cheapest form of transport from the airport. Services depart every half an hour for the main train station in Cagliari and other popular locations. The first bus leaves at 05:20 and services usually terminate at 23:30. A typical one-way ticket to the centre costs around £0.50.
Terminals
Cagliari Airport has one main terminal that is made up of three storeys. Arrivals can be found on the ground floor, whilst Departures are located on the first floor. Every year, around three million people use Cagliari Airport as an entry point for the isle of Sardinia.
Parking
Both long-term and short-term parking can be taken advantage of at Cagliari Airport. In total, there are around 1,700 parking spaces on the premises. While it may cost around £15 per 24 hours to leave a vehicle at Cagliari Airport, there are some free car parks for short stays.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is available on the second level of the main terminal.
Information Services
An information desk is located in the Arrivals hall of the main terminal.
Useful Numbers
Information Desk: +39 70 212076/79
Customs: +39 70 240098
Car park: +39 70 240098
Accessibility
Facilities for those with reduced mobility are available, although passengers are advised to ensure they inform their airline of their needs prior to landing at Cagliari Airport.
Restaurants and Bars
Arrivals and Departures both have a series of restaurants that are either snack bars or establishments fit for a sit-down meal of local cuisine. Beer or wine can be consumed at most eateries at the airport.
VIP Lounges
Business Class Lounge
Money and ATMs
Cagliari Airport has one bank for those that require financial services. ATMs and bureaux de change booths are easy to find in Arrivals.
Shopping
The majority of shops are found on the first floor of the main terminal, near Departures. They mainly sell local Sardinian handicrafts, jewellery and perfume, as do the duty-free outlets in the shopping gallery on the first floor.