subject: Getting Around The Island Of Sardinia [print this page] There are many ways to get around while travelling to and from villas in Sardinia. If you want to bring a car from a port in Italy, there are many ferry companies that will allow you to transport one to the island. Tirrenia ferry company services several ports on the island and will connect you to Genova, Naples, and many other Italian cities on the west coast. But if you're arriving by plane, you'll need to find information about car rentals or local transportation. Shuttle services from Olbia (OLB) and Alghero (AHO) airports offer drop off and pick up shuttles from the airport to your villa or hotel. Once you've arrived, there are many local bus services and a couple of train lines that can allow you to see the neighbouring areas, and can actually give you access to more remote beaches and landscapes.
Hiring a Car
There are several recognisable international car rental agencies operating out of the local airports that you can take advantage of. But you might want to check to see if the provider of your accommodation also will organise a car rental for you. For example, after booking a villa through their service, some companies will assist in car rentals through a local Italian company. This is probably the easiest way to get from the airport to the seaside villas in Sardinia. And once you have the car, you're free to explore the island in your own time.
Buses
If renting a car isn't your preference, ARST public transport buses connect many towns and transportation hubs to common coastal hotels and villas in Sardinia. Line 601 will take you from Olbia Airport to near the beautiful villas available in San Pantaleo, Arzachena, Santa Teresina and the seaside Palau. It then continues on to the beach village of Santa Reparata. On this one bus you can be connected to many of the interesting towns, villages, and attractions of the island. Hop off at Olbia for an afternoon in a bustling and thrilling city, full of beautiful old churches on the Corso Umberto, and museums featuring ancient artefacts. Or travel out to Porisco and see its little beach covered in white sand. There are many bus lines that criss-cross over and around the island. Though the ARST website is in Italian they have a useful interactive map. Simply click on the region you're visiting and it will give you a map of all the bus lines. Then just click on a location to discover which bus lines service that stop, and click on the bus number to download a schedule. So easy!
Trains
Though the dominant mode of public transportation is definitely bus, there are a few train lines that service the areas near the beach and seaside villas. In Sardinia, there are trains passing through the regions of Sassari; Macomer to Nuoro; and a Monserrato to Isili train that cuts through the centre of the island and offers spectacular scenes of the mountains and the small villages which it serves. There are websites that offer information on Sardinia's trains in English.
