Càgliari Transportation Tips by tini58de Top 5 Page for this destination

Ferrovie dello Stato

We only used the train once, when we did not have a direct bus connection returning from Barumini to Cagliari. We took the bus to Sanluri Stato and from there caught the train back to Cagliari. The train was on time, quite comfortable, too, so we did not have any complaints!

One thing I remember from previous trainrides in Italy: make sure to validate your ticket before you board the train! There are little yellow punching machines on the platform!

Mode: TO

Type: Train

Drive if you dare

Well, personally I do not like to drive, so this never really was an option for me. We found that public transportation was great for the places we wanted to see, but I do realize that there are some remote places that might require a car!

If you rent a car and plan to use it in Cagliari, think about renting a small car, since the streets in the old part of town are narrow and parking space is scarce! I especially love those Fiat 500 cars - and we did see them in quite a few places!

Mode: AROUND

Type: Car/Motor Home

Walk your shoes off!

Walking definitely is the option to explore the old part of Cagliari - the streets are so narrow that it would be hell having to drive here - besides, if you want to get a feel for a place you just have to walk! Hear the sounds, smell the air, look hither and thither - and have aching feet at the end of the day!!!

That's the way to do it!

There are suggested walking tours through Cagliari, read more about those in my General Tips!

Mode: AROUND

Type: Other

'Pulman' buses overland

There are various bus companies for overland travel throughout Sardegna, the most well known is ARST (Azienda Regionale Sarda Trasporti). The bus terminal in Cagliari is right next to the train station and there is quite a busy schedule.

Tickets for the ARST buses (including the shuttle bus to the airport) can be obtained at the ticket counter inside the McDonald's, tickets for other companies in the bus station itself.

Mode: TO

Type: Bus

Website: http://www.arst.sardegna.it/

Ferry

The only other way to get to Sardegna is by ferry. There are ferry services to and from

Cagliari - Trapani
Cagliari - Civitavecchia
Cagliari - Arbatax
Cagliari - Napoli
Cagliari - Palermo

The Stazione Marittima is very conveniently located not far from train and bus station and the city center.

Mode: TO

Type: Ship/Boat

Website: http://www.tirrenia.it/index_en.asp

Cagliari Elmas airport

Cagliari airport Elmas is conveniently located just 10 minutes drive from the city center. Since it is so close to the city you have a spectacular and little frightening view of the city while getting ready to land! It looks sooooooooo close (and in fact, it is)!!!

We arrived there from Stuttgart on tuifly, formerly HLX and hapagfly. The airport was first opened in 1937, but recently renovated and has a very modern apparence.

There is a shuttle bus to Cagliari central bus station every 30 minutes, the fare is 2 €. You do have to obtain the tickets before getting on the bus. In Cagliari this is at the ticket counter of the central bus station, but since we were picked up at the airport in Cagliari, I do not know where to get the tickets there. I did read something about a vending machine or look for a kiosk/café/information counter - I am sure you will be helped!

Mode: TO

Type: Airplane

Website: http://www.aeroportodicagliari.com/cagliari_airport.htm

Public transportation

Actually there is no need to use much public transportation, since the city center and the most sights are within walking distance. If you decide to stay a little longer in Cagliari, though, and want to go to some more remote places, the orange buses are what you need!

You can buy the tickets at any of the many kiosks around. One ticket costs 1 € (Feburary 2007) and is valid for 90 minutes. You can use any of the buses except for the line #9.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Bus

Website: http://www.ctmcagliari.it/ (Italian only)

Lifts

To reach the Castello district (upper part of the old town) of Cagliari you can either walk up and climb a good number of stairs or you can use an ascensore. There are 3 or 4 of them that we have discovered, maybe there are even more!

Those lifts are free of charge and can carry as much as 1000 kg! Good option for travellers who depend on a wheelchair!

Mode: AROUND

Type: Other