I'm trying to figure out what the cheapest way to get there--whether by ferry or flying. We would be staying in the southern part of the island, i think. The ferry websites are hard to configure for next June. Has anyone already figured this out?
(We would already be in Italy.)
i would appreciate any advice... Thanks!
dina

It will probably not be information for 2007 specifically, but if you go to www.slowtalk.com, then to the Italy forum, and search for >Sardinia ferry<, you should find a great deal of information posted by GAC, who is a real guru on transportation in Italy.

dina4,

The following airlines fly from Italy's mainland to Cagliari airport in the South of Sardinia:

Meridiana
http://www.meridiana.it/IG/pages/home_en.aspx

Air One
http://www.flyairone.it/en/

Alitalia (mostly codeshares operated by Meridiana)
www.alitaliausa.com

Alpieagles (limited service to Verona)
www.alpieagles.com

I flew Meridiana from Rome to Olbia in the North of Sardinia last September - a short and easy trip. Ticket was affordable, don't remember the exact price.

The ferry is slow and some car rental contracts specify that the vehicle may not be taken on ferries - do check if you decide to go for that option.

Hope this helps,
Andre

Here is an excerpt from my trip report which was 3 years ago. Kind of a long time ago but I'm sharing the info in case it might work for you. Basically, try all kinds of dates because you might get a real bargain!


After comparing prices, I chose Meridiana to fly us from FCO to Olbia, Sardinia the day after we arrived in Rome. That flight was 89 euro each including taxes. I then wanted to secure an inter-island flight from Sardinia to Sicily because my husband was concerned about taking a long ferry ride. He gets sea sick easily. I went to the Meridiana web site and found that the prices were 488 euro for two. Yikes! I was thinking "Ferry here we come--with an extra large barf bag and a bottle of Dramamine for DH." Not one to give up easily, I started putting in different dates to see if the price was any cheaper. I went through all of the days in the week with all days costing 488 Euro, then I hit on Sunday Sept 21. It was 110 euro for 2. Then I tried the following Sunday the 28th and it was THIRTY, yes 3-0 Euro for TWO plus taxes! Perfect price, perfect departure day, as it gave us nearly two weeks in Sardinia.

After finding this bargain fare on the web site, I tried to make the arrangements on-line. I was having trouble paying for the flight. I emailed them and got a quick reply with a phone number to call. I had to call Italy as Meridiana has no office here. I've been studying Italian for 8 years, so it was fun for me. (If you ask, they do have English speaking agents.) After talking with the agent, and after I was assured that we'd actually LAND in Catania, and that the flight attendant would not simply shove us out the door of the plane considering we paid so little, I made the reservation. After taxes, we flew from Olbia to Catania for less than 58 Euro for two. One note, with them, you make the reservation with one agent and then they might say "thanks" and then hang up on you after giving you the reservation number. You need to say "Wait, I want to pay for it now". They'll say "OK" and then they'll connect you with the next office which accepts payments with your credit card. They sell e-tickets, so no need to worry about paper tickets.

Also Eloise is right. If you need ferry information or any Italian travel info, GAC knows routes and even prices.

thank you so much!

Eloise, i found that website and GAC had a lot of the info i needed.

Andre, thank you for the list of airlines. I will check them out.

Wantagig, what a story! Good for you. i hope i have similar luck. i will search for your trip report.

So far, it seems like flying isn't that much more than ferrying, but i think it depends on the date. And it's too soon to get dates in june.

thanks again!
dina

Ryanair:


http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/


is a cheap no frills airline which flies to Alghero in Sardinia from Stansted (about 30 miles from London by train), East Midlands and Liverpool in UK, also from Dublin (S.Ireland), Barcelona (Spain), Frankfurt (Germany) and Pisa (Italy).


Flights must be booked on the internet and you print off your "ticket". Going back or forwards a day or so can substantially alter the price.

dina4,

You're welcome - unlike wantagig I had no problem at all booking on the Meridiana website. I was e-mailed a normal e-ticket receipt a few minutes after completing the transaction (including payment by CC). I recall being advised by e-mail of a minor schedule change (20-30 min later or earlier, don't remember) a few weeks before the flight.

Kaneda, the OP mentioned South Sardinia and Alghero airport is in the North. I didn't mention that EasyJet also flies to Cagliari from London Stansted since the OP also mentioned that she/he would be travelling to Sardinia from mainland Italy.

Hope this helps,
Andre

There are numerous ferry services from the Italian mainland to Sardinia: from Genova, Livorno, Piombino, Civitavecchia, Napoli or Salerno to Cagliari, Arbatax, Olbia, Golfo Aranci, Palau or Porto Torres. Most sailings are overnight, so will actually waste less time than flying. Which route is convenient depends on where you are in Italy.

Once again, i amazed by this forum.

thank you so much for all the great info!!!

Although, from time to time, you will find "rock bottom" air fares to Sardinia from the Italian mainland, the absolute cheapest fares are those for DAYLIGHT car ferries between Livorno/Piombino/Civitavecchia and Olbia/Golfo Aranci.

In my posting in www.slowtravel.com, I list just about every ferry route to Sardinia available from the Italian mainland.

In particular, you should look at the schedules and fares of Lloyd Sardinia (Linea dei Golfi), Tirrenia, Moby Lines, and Sardinia Ferries.

A DAYLIGHT crossing to Olbia/Golfo Aranci from Livorno/Piombino/Civitavecchia can take as little as 5-6 hours, and you can book "passaggio ponte" (no cabin and no reclining seat) to save money. If you act quickly once on board, you'll usually find seating in the common areas of the ship (bar, main salon, restaurant, cafeteria etc).

From Olbia to Cagliari is a very easy 4 hour train ride (and the scenery is not bad at all).

You could also sail directly to Cagliari from Civitavecchia on Tirrenia Lines, but this is a 14.5 hour overnight crossing, and for this length of time you would probably want to reserve a cabin at a considerably higher cost than "passaggio ponte".

thanks again! that is all extremely helpful info...