Over 300 homes managed since 2011 in northern Sardinia
Every year we help hundreds of families, couples and groups find the perfect home — with no mistakes and no surprises.
| Plane | 🚢 Ferry | |
|---|---|---|
| Travel time | 1–2h (flight) + transfers | From about 5–6 h (Piombino, Civitavecchia) to 10–12 h (Genoa, Barcelona) |
| With a car | ❌ Impossible (you need to hire one) | ✅ You bring your own car |
| Luggage | Limited — extra costs if you exceed the allowance | Whatever fits in the car |
| Comfort | Standard plane | Cabins, restaurant, outdoor decks |
| Date flexibility | High (many flights) | Medium (fewer sailings) |
| Weather dependent | Rarely | Can be delayed by rough seas |
| Suitable for families with a car | 🟡 Only with a hire car | ✅ Ideal |
| Suitable for short weekends | ✅ Ideal | 🟡 Less convenient |
For flights to Sardinia: book 2–3 months ahead and use Google Flights price alerts. Low-cost flights to Alghero and Olbia (for example Ryanair, easyJet and Volotea) are often good value if booked in good time.
• Short weekend → plane (Alghero or Olbia)
• Family with children → ferry (more comfortable, you bring the car)
• You want to explore freely → car + ferry (the best combo)
• Low budget → compare the costs first
👉 Not sure yet? Write to us and we'll tell you.
| Airport | Distance from | Main destinations served |
|---|---|---|
| Alghero (Fertilia) | About 10 km from Alghero (15 min), 140 km from Olbia | Main Italian cities and various European cities (many seasonal routes) |
| Olbia (Costa Smeralda) | A few km from Olbia, about 40 min from Palau | The busiest — main Italian and European airports |
| Cagliari (Elmas) | Southern Sardinia — 200+ km from the north | Wide choice — but far from northern Sardinia |
| Port | Main routes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Porto Torres | Genoa, Civitavecchia, Barcelona, Toulon and Nice (seasonal) | The north-west port — close to Sassari, Stintino and Alghero |
| Olbia | Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Piombino | The busiest — many operators and frequencies |
| Golfo Aranci | Livorno, Piombino | Smaller but convenient if you're heading towards Gallura |
👉 With AffittaSardegna you have everything: home + advice + local tips since 2011.
We help you choose the right home based on the period, area and type of holiday.
👉 Book direct and save up to 15%.
Once you arrive, you'll need a car to explore freely. Read the complete guide to car hire in Sardinia to spend less and avoid surprises.
There's no magic in the price of a trip to Sardinia: those who book early pay less. That holds for ferries and even more for planes. We have managed homes in northern Sardinia since 2011 and we see the same pattern every year.
For departures in July and August, the “good” window closes at the end of January. Those who book by January usually find the lowest rates for a car + 2 passengers; after that prices rise as summer approaches, and those who book August in May or June often pay much more. Summer bookings open as early as autumn-winter: compare early on the operators' websites.
For June and September things are more relaxed: rates stay affordable even when booking in April, and last-minute deals can be found up to 15 days beforehand. These are the two months we always recommend travelling in, also for the sea and the smaller crowds.
For Alghero, Olbia and Cagliari it is generally best to book at least 2–3 months ahead, especially for July and August. Last-minute deals exist, but in high season they are rare.
On days of the week: midweek flights often cost less than those on Friday and Sunday. If your holiday allows it, moving your departure by 24 hours can save money.
For ferries you can book directly from our website, with the discount code reserved for those staying in our homes: Book the ferry. For flights we tell you what we would tell a friend: which airport suits your home and when to book.
With small children, the choice between ferry and plane changes quite a lot. There is no universal answer, but there are a few things we have learned from seeing them work (or not work) dozens of times.
For families with children under 10, the night ferry with a cabin is almost always the best choice. You leave in the evening between 20:00 and 23:00, the children sleep in their bunks, and you arrive in the morning rested, with the car ready to drive off. No queue at check-in with luggage over the limit, no car seat to take apart, no car hire to sign for with a baby in your arms. It is worth booking a cabin with a private bathroom: the price difference is small, the comfort is not.
The plane only really makes sense if the children are at least 4–5 years old and you're leaving from far away. With babies and children under two, the sum of check-in, security, a pushchair to board, the wait and then a hire car to set up with a car seat at the airport turns a 90-minute flight into a heavy day.
If you're setting out from northern or central Italy and taking the ferry at Genoa, Livorno or Civitavecchia, it is worth breaking the journey: a night in a B&B near the port the day before boarding is money well spent. Avoiding driving 6–8 hours and then boarding straight away is the difference between a calm departure and a tense one.
What to pack in your ferry hand luggage: pyjamas, snacks, a bottle of water, a favourite cuddly toy, and everything you need to sleep as if at home.
Holiday homes in northern Sardinia
We have managed holiday homes in northern Sardinia since 2011. Book direct: save up to 15%, genuine local support, zero commissions.
