Sardinia is Italy's second-largest island, famed for its pristine turquoise waters, rugged interior mountains, and ancient Nuragic civilizations. The island offers an extraordinary blend of dramatic coastlines, traditional villages, and vibrant cities that remain authentically Italian.
Getting around Sardinia almost always means renting a car: outside the main cities the most beautiful beaches, Nuragic sites and inland villages are effectively unreachable by public transport, and a rental car is essential for any flexible itinerary. Public options exist but are limited. ARST regional buses connect most towns and many beaches, though frequencies drop sharply on Sundays and outside summer. The rail network is sparse, with slow Trenitalia and ARST services linking Cagliari, Oristano, Sassari and Olbia, plus the scenic narrow-gauge Trenino Verde that runs through the mountains in summer as a tourist experience rather than practical transport. The island connects to the mainland by ferries from Civitavecchia, Genoa, Livorno and other ports into Cagliari, Olbia and Porto Torres, and by air through three airports at Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero. Coastal roads are scenic but slow and winding, and the old-town cores of Cagliari and Alghero have ZTL limited-traffic zones.
Transport at a glance
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Book rental cars early — in July and August they sell out completely across the island
Plan on a car for the coast: most of the best beaches have little or no bus service
Download the ARST app to check bus times, as printed timetables are often outdated and services thin out on Sundays
Validate bus and train tickets when boarding, or in the platform machine, to avoid fines
Respect the ZTL limited-traffic zones in the old towns of Cagliari and Alghero — driving in without a permit triggers automatic fines
Allow extra time on coastal and mountain roads, which are scenic but slow, narrow and full of hairpin bends
Book ferries well in advance for August, especially if bringing a car, as crossings fill months ahead
Fill up at supermarket fuel stations, which are usually cheaper, and note many rural stations close on Sundays