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Getting to Alghero and North-West Sardinia
Alghero-Fertilia Airport (AHO) sits roughly 10 km northwest of Alghero’s old town, making it the main gateway for visitors heading to Sardinia’s Catalan corner. It is a small, easy-to-navigate airport, with arrivals rarely taking more than 15-20 minutes to clear passport control and baggage reclaim.
Despite its modest size, the airport is well served by transport options, from budget-friendly ARST buses to taxis, private transfers and car hire desks right in the arrivals hall, so getting into town rarely involves much waiting around.
This guide compares every practical way to reach Alghero, Sassari and the wider northwest coast, including realistic journey times and fares, so you can choose the option that fits your budget and schedule before you land.
If you are travelling on to the Costa Smeralda or Cagliari side of the island, note that Alghero Airport is not the closest option; those areas are better served by Olbia or Cagliari airports respectively, though onward buses from Alghero do exist and are covered below.
The airport handles a healthy mix of seasonal charter and low-cost carrier flights from across Europe, which means arrivals can spike sharply in July and August, worth bearing in mind when planning your onward transport.
Regular scheduled services are operated by budget carriers including Ryanair, easyJet and Volotea on routes from the UK and mainland Europe, alongside domestic connections to Rome and Milan, so onward travel within Italy is often possible without routing through a larger hub airport.
Once you have arrived, our companion guide to Things to Do in Alghero covers the old town, beaches, boat trips and Neptune’s Grotto in full detail, so this page focuses purely on the journey itself.
Alghero Airport Transfer Options at a Glance
Here is a quick comparison of every way to reach Alghero and beyond from the airport, with approximate journey times and fares to help you decide before reading the full detail in each section below.
| Option | Journey Time to Alghero | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ARST bus (Line 9312) | 20-30 minutes | €1-2 (£1-2 / $1-2) per person |
| Taxi | 10-20 minutes | €15-25 (£13-22 / $16-27) daytime, higher at night |
| Private transfer (exclusive) | 10-20 minutes | €50-100 (£44-87 / $55-109) per vehicle |
| Shared shuttle | 15-30 minutes | €20-35 (£17-30 / $22-38) per person |
| Car hire | 15-20 minutes | Varies by vehicle and season |
| ARST bus to Sassari (Line 760) | 30 minutes | Approx. €3 (£3 / $4) |
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Compare ratesBus Transfers: ARST Line 9312
The cheapest way to reach Alghero from the airport is the ARST bus, running on route 9312 between the terminal and Via Catalogna station in the old town. It is by far the most popular option for budget-conscious travellers without luggage to worry about.
Journey time is typically 20-30 minutes, and the fare is only around €1-2 (£1-2 / $1-2) per person, occasionally quoted with a €3 (£2 / $3) option for a 24-hour city travel pass if you plan to use local buses again the same day.
Buses run roughly hourly, with the first departure around 5:20am and the last around 11pm, though exact times shift seasonally, so checking the current ARST timetable before you fly is worthwhile.
The bus stop is located outside the terminal, roughly 100-150 metres from the arrivals exit, clearly signposted alongside stops for other regional routes. Tickets can be bought from a vending machine in the arrivals hall, via app, or sometimes directly from the driver.
The bus is a great option if you are travelling light and staying centrally, but it is less convenient with heavy luggage or if your accommodation sits outside the old town, since onward walking or a local taxi may be needed at the other end.
On busy summer days, buses can fill up quickly after a large charter flight lands, so it is worth being near the front of the queue at the stop rather than assuming a seat is guaranteed on the first service.
Taxi Transfers from Alghero Airport
Official white taxis wait outside the arrivals hall at all times flights are scheduled, offering the fastest door-to-door option without any advance booking required.
The journey into Alghero takes just 10-20 minutes, with fares typically starting around €15-25 (£13-22 / $16-27) during the day, depending on passenger numbers and luggage. A roughly 40% surcharge usually applies for night rides between midnight and 7am.
Taxis to Sassari run considerably higher, often quoted around €60 (£52 / $65), reflecting the longer 30 km distance, so compare this against the ARST bus if budget matters more than speed for that particular leg.
Fares are generally metered, though it is worth confirming the approximate cost with the driver before setting off, particularly late at night when few other options are available and negotiating power is limited.
Taxis make the most sense for families, groups sharing the fare, or anyone arriving on a late or delayed flight when bus frequency has dropped off for the evening.
Card payment is generally accepted in official taxis, though carrying some cash as a backup is sensible, particularly for shorter journeys where the driver may not have a working card reader to hand.
Private Transfers and Shared Shuttles
Booking a private transfer in advance guarantees a driver waiting for you at arrivals with a name board, useful if you want certainty over cost and timing before you even board your flight.
Exclusive private transfers to Alghero typically cost €50-100 (£44-87 / $55-109) per vehicle, depending on group size and vehicle type, with the journey itself still only 10-20 minutes given the short distance involved.
Shared shuttles, where you travel alongside other passengers on a set schedule, bring the per-person cost down to roughly €20-35 (£17-30 / $22-38), at the expense of a slightly longer journey of 15-30 minutes with possible extra stops.
Providers such as Welcome Pickups offer English-speaking drivers and 24/7 support, while operators like Sardabus and Turmo Travel run scheduled shared shuttles covering Alghero and connections further afield.
This option suits travellers who want the comfort of a taxi with the cost predictability of pre-booking, particularly useful if you are arriving with young children, lots of luggage, or on an unusual arrival time.
Most providers offer free cancellation up to 24-48 hours before arrival, which is worth checking when comparing quotes, since flight delays can otherwise leave you paying for a no-show pickup.
Compare Airport Transfer Companies
Pre-booking your airport transfer can save time and reduce stress when you arrive. Whether you need a private taxi, shared shuttle or executive transfer, comparing providers can help you find the best price and service for your journey.
We’ve selected three trusted airport transfer companies so you can compare prices, vehicle options, cancellation policies and customer reviews before you travel.
Car Hire at Alghero-Fertilia Airport
Several car hire desks operate directly from the arrivals hall or a short walk outside, making this one of the most convenient airports in Sardinia to start a self-drive holiday.
Weekly rental prices vary considerably by season, roughly from €165-400 (£144-348 / $180-436) depending on how far ahead you book and the vehicle category, with July and August commanding a significant premium over shoulder months.
Picking up your car takes only 15-20 minutes from landing to driving away in quieter periods, though queues can build during the busiest summer arrival banks, so allow extra time if your flight lands mid-afternoon in July or August.
A hire car is genuinely useful in this part of Sardinia, since attractions like Capo Caccia, Porto Conte Nature Reserve and the beaches at Le Bombarde are far easier to reach with your own transport than by public bus.
Book well ahead for peak season, since the smaller fleet sizes at this airport compared to Cagliari or Olbia mean popular vehicle categories, especially automatics, can sell out weeks in advance.
Fuel is generally cheaper away from the airport itself, so if your rental agreement requires a full tank on return, it is worth filling up at a petrol station in town rather than the more expensive one closest to the terminal.
Most major international brands, alongside smaller local operators offering slightly lower rates, maintain a presence here, so comparing a couple of quotes before booking is generally worth the extra few minutes.
If you plan to reach the nature reserve or nearby beaches with bulkier gear such as diving equipment or bikes, it is worth requesting a roof box or bike rack at the time of booking rather than at the desk, since these add-ons are limited in number and often reserved well ahead of the peak summer weeks.
Find Car Hire Deals for Sardinia
A hire car can be useful for exploring Sardinia and the surrounding area, particularly when the places you want to visit are awkward to reach by public transport.
Using more than one comparison site can help you check prices and rental terms across a wider range of suppliers before deciding which option suits your trip.
Airport Facilities and Amenities
Alghero-Fertilia is a single-terminal airport, small enough that you are unlikely to need more than a few minutes to walk between check-in, security and the gates on departure.
For live flight status and the latest terminal information, the airport’s own site at aeroportodialghero.it is the most reliable source. So.Ge.A.Al, the company managing the airport, updates it directly rather than relying on third-party flight trackers.
A handful of cafes and a small duty-free shop operate airside, along with a currency exchange desk, though choices are limited compared to larger Italian airports, so eating beforehand in town is often the better option.
Free wifi is generally available throughout the terminal, useful for confirming your onward transfer or checking the latest ARST bus timetable while you wait for luggage.
Luggage trolleys are available near baggage reclaim, and accessible facilities, including lifts and adapted toilets, are provided throughout, though assistance should ideally be requested with your airline in advance.
Given the airport’s small scale, security queues are rarely long outside the very busiest summer departure banks, so the standard 2-hour arrival recommendation for check-in is usually more than sufficient here.
A small tourist information desk operates in arrivals during peak season, staffed with maps and advice on accommodation and transport, worth a quick stop if you have not finalised your onward plans yet.
A cash machine is also available in the arrivals area, useful if you land without euros, since the bus and taxi options both work more smoothly with a little local cash on hand for the first leg of your trip.
Drivers meeting arriving passengers can usually wait free of charge in the short-stay pickup area for around the first 15 minutes, after which a small hourly charge typically applies, so timing your arrival to match the flight’s actual landing rather than its scheduled time can save a few euros.
Onward to Sassari by Bus and Taxi
Sassari, Sardinia’s second-largest city, sits around 30 km from the airport and is a common connection point for onward regional trains and buses across the island’s interior.
The ARST 760 bus runs directly from the airport parking area to Sassari, taking around 30 minutes for approximately €3 (£3 / $4), with roughly 10 daily services spread from before 5am to just after midnight.
A taxi covers the same route in a similar time but costs considerably more, typically around €60 (£52 / $65), so the bus is the clear choice here unless you specifically need door-to-door timing.
From Sassari’s train station, regional Trenitalia services connect onward to Porto Torres, Olbia and other towns across northern Sardinia, useful if your final destination lies beyond Alghero itself.
If Sassari is your actual destination rather than a connection point, the bus remains the most sensible option for almost every traveller given the fare difference against a taxi.
Sassari also has its own car hire desks if you would rather collect a vehicle there than at the smaller Alghero fleet, though this rarely works out cheaper once the bus or taxi fare to get there is factored in.
Sassari has no airport of its own, so nearly all visitors heading there for business or onward rail travel route through Alghero-Fertilia, making the 760 bus effectively that city’s own airport transfer service too.
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View transfersConnecting South and East: Cagliari and Olbia Options
Direct ARST and long-distance coach services connect Alghero Airport with several other Sardinian towns, including Bosa, Oristano, Macomer, Nuoro and, on longer routes, Cagliari.
A coach to Cagliari takes several hours given the distance across the island, with fares varying by operator; for most travellers heading to the south of Sardinia, flying directly into Cagliari Airport instead makes far more practical sense.
For Olbia and the Costa Smeralda, a Sun Lines coach service connects via Sassari, with the full journey taking around 1 hour 50 minutes, priced at roughly €25 (£22 / $27), though again a direct flight into Olbia is usually more time-efficient.
These longer regional connections are best treated as a fallback for multi-stop itineraries rather than a primary transport plan, given the driving distances involved across the island’s varied terrain.
If your trip includes both northwest and southeast Sardinia, it is usually cheaper and faster to book an open-jaw flight, arriving into one airport and departing from the other, rather than relying on a single long coach journey.
Seasonal coach services also run to Bosa, taking roughly an hour for around €4 (£4 / $5), a handy option if you are heading straight there rather than via Alghero itself.
Porto Torres, another of Sardinia’s ferry gateways, is also reachable by regional bus via Sassari, useful if your itinerary includes a ferry connection to mainland Italy or France afterward.
Travellers connecting onward from Porto Torres to Corsica, Toulon or Marseille should allow generous transfer time given the combined bus journeys involved, rather than booking a tight same-day connection.
Night, Early Morning and Off-Season Arrivals
Alghero-Fertilia handles a fair number of budget airline arrivals that land late in the evening or very early in the morning, when public bus frequency drops significantly or stops altogether.
If your flight lands after the last ARST bus of the day, a taxi is generally your only realistic option, so budgeting for the higher night-time fare in advance avoids any unwelcome surprises at arrivals.
Outside the main summer season, seasonal routes to destinations like Stintino and Santa Teresa Gallura, which run from June through September, are suspended entirely, so check current schedules carefully if travelling in shoulder months.
When they do run, the seasonal coach to Stintino takes roughly 30-40 minutes and is popular with visitors heading straight for the La Pelosa beach area, while the longer service to Santa Teresa Gallura takes closer to two hours, useful if you are timing a same-day ferry connection onward to Corsica from that town’s own port.
Pre-booking a private transfer for a known late arrival removes the uncertainty of finding a taxi at an hour when fewer are circulating, particularly useful for winter flights with smaller passenger numbers.
Car hire desks generally keep more flexible hours than public transport, though it is worth confirming your specific pick-up time with the rental company if your flight is scheduled well outside standard daytime hours.
Winter timetables also tend to run fewer daily services across the board, so a journey that felt effortless in August with hourly buses may need more careful planning in January or February.
Which Transfer Option Is Right for You?
Solo travellers and backpackers staying centrally in Alghero, arriving during daytime hours, get the best value from the ARST bus, saving considerably compared to a taxi for a journey of only 20-30 minutes.
Couples and small groups with moderate luggage often find a taxi the best balance of cost and convenience, especially given how short and inexpensive the ride into town actually is.
Budget-focused travellers arriving off-peak, when buses run less frequently, should still check the timetable first, since even an infrequent bus can beat the cost of a taxi if the timing happens to line up.
Families with children, buggies and extra bags tend to prefer a pre-booked private transfer, removing the stress of finding a taxi with the right amount of space after a long flight.
Anyone planning to explore Capo Caccia, the nature reserve, or beaches beyond walking distance of the old town should seriously consider car hire, since public transport in this part of Sardinia is limited outside the main bus routes.
If your trip is purely a beach-and-old-town stay in central Alghero, you can comfortably skip car hire altogether and rely on the bus, taxis and your own two feet for the whole visit.
Business travellers or anyone on a tight connection to Sassari for onward rail should factor in the ARST 760 bus as the most time-and-cost efficient link between the two towns.
Older travellers or anyone with mobility concerns often prefer a pre-booked transfer over public buses, since it avoids standing at a stop with luggage and guarantees door-to-door service without transfers or waiting.
Groups travelling with surfboards, bikes or diving equipment should check ahead with taxi or transfer providers, since not every vehicle can accommodate bulky sports gear without prior notice.
Practical Tips for Alghero Airport Transfers
Always carry a little cash for the ARST bus and taxis, since card machines are not universally reliable on board buses, even though most taxis and car hire desks accept cards without issue.
Double-check the current timetable for your chosen bus route before travelling, since ARST schedules shift between summer and winter timetables, sometimes with little advance notice online.
If hiring a car, photograph the vehicle carefully at pickup and check the fuel policy, since return requirements vary between “full to full” and pre-purchased fuel options that can affect your final cost.
During July and August, book any private transfer or car hire well in advance, as demand at this relatively small airport can outstrip supply during the peak weeks of the Sardinian summer.
Keep your transfer confirmation easily accessible on your phone, since arrivals halls at smaller airports like Fertilia can get crowded when several flights land close together.
Travel insurance covering flight delays is worth having if you have pre-paid for a private transfer or car hire slot, since a late arrival can otherwise mean forfeiting a non-refundable booking.
Finally, allow a little extra buffer time when departing in peak season, since the small terminal can feel busier than its size suggests once several charter flights queue for check-in at once.
If you are unsure which option suits your trip, it rarely hurts to plan for a taxi as a backup, since it remains available at nearly any hour and removes the risk of missing the last bus of the day.
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
Landing at little Fertilia airport always feels like the calm start to a Sardinian holiday, here is how to keep it that way.
- Check the last bus time: the ARST service to Alghero often stops well before midnight, so late flights usually mean a taxi.
- Book car hire early for summer: the fleet here is smaller than Cagliari or Olbia, and automatics sell out first.
- Carry small notes: bus ticket machines do not always give change for large bills.
- Compare Sassari fares: the bus at €3 (£3 / $4) beats a sixty euro taxi (£52 / $65) for the same 30-minute journey.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way from Alghero Airport to the city centre?
The ARST bus on route 9312 is cheapest, costing around €1-2 (£1-2 / $1-2) per person for a 20-30 minute journey to Via Catalogna station in the old town.
How much does a taxi from Alghero Airport cost?
Expect to pay approximately €15-25 (£13-22 / $16-27) during the day for the 10-20 minute ride into Alghero, with a roughly 40% surcharge applying at night.
Is it worth hiring a car at Alghero Airport?
Yes, particularly if you plan to visit Capo Caccia, Porto Conte Nature Reserve or beaches beyond the old town, since public transport to these areas is limited.
How do I get from Alghero Airport to Sassari?
The ARST 760 bus runs directly to Sassari in around 30 minutes for approximately €3 (£3 / $4), considerably cheaper than the roughly €60 (£52 / $65) taxi fare for the same route.
Can I get a direct bus from Alghero Airport to Olbia?
Yes, a Sun Lines coach connects via Sassari in around 1 hour 50 minutes for roughly €25 (£22 / $27), though flying directly into Olbia is usually faster for that region.
What happens if my flight lands after the last bus?
A taxi becomes your main option, so budget for the higher fare or consider pre-booking a private transfer if you know your arrival time in advance.
Where do I catch the airport bus at Alghero-Fertilia?
Bus stops for all routes are located outside the terminal, roughly 100-150 metres from the arrivals exit, clearly signposted alongside each other.
Are there facilities like cafes and wifi at Alghero Airport?
Yes, though choices are limited given the airport’s small single-terminal size. Free wifi, a few cafes and a small duty-free shop are available airside.
Is there a direct train from Alghero Airport?
No, there is no rail link to the airport itself. The nearest station is in Alghero town, reached by bus or taxi, with onward Trenitalia connections from Sassari.
Should I book a private transfer or just take a taxi on arrival?
For most solo and couple travellers, a taxi on arrival works fine given the short distance. Families or late-night arrivals benefit more from pre-booking a private transfer.
Further Reading
Once you have arrived, our full guide to Things to Do in Alghero covers the old town, city walls, beaches, boat trips and Neptune’s Grotto, with a practical itinerary structure for stays of any length, whether you have one day or a full week.
If you are hiring a car and planning to see more of the island, our Road Trip Around Sardinia guide places Alghero within a wider driving route that also covers Cagliari, the north coast and the Costa Smeralda.
Travelling without a car altogether? Our guide to Getting Around Sardinia Without a Car explains which towns, including Alghero, are realistic to explore using trains, buses and ferries alone.
If your trip also includes a ferry leg, our island-wide Sardinia Ferry Routes hub covers every port and operator connecting Sardinia to mainland Italy, France and Corsica, including the onward sailings reachable via Porto Torres.
