Are you looking for information on how to get from Sicily to Sardinia? You are in the right place! I have traveled between the two islands a bunch of times, and know all the hacks.
Sicily is an amazing land, full of art, culture and breathtaking natural landscapes. Cities such as Palermo, Siracusa and Catania are real gems to be discovered, while on the coast you can also find beautiful beaches.
Italians and foreigners alike often tend to compare Sicily and Sardinia, trying to figure out which one is best, but in reality, for one reason or another, they are both beautiful places to spend your holidays and they could not be more different!
For one thing, Sicily is significantly more populated than Sardinia – which means compared to it, Sardinia appears to offer way more “empty spaces” and wilder landscapes. Also, their history is different; the food is different (and delicious in both islands); and the overall vibe is very different.
For this reason, many tourists decide to organize a trip between the both islands – in fact, I wholeheartedly recommend it. You’d be seeing two of the most beautiful regions of Italy! However, doing this requires a bit of planning, since getting from Sicily and to Sardinia isn’t as straightforward as it may seem, what with both of them being islands.
Don’t know where to start looking? Don’t worry, you are in the right place. I will share all the useful information you need to plan your trip.
You should also read my guide How To Get To Sardinia: Routes From Italy And Europe.
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How To Get From Sicily To Sardinia
The first thing you need to consider if you want to travel from Sicily to Sardinia is if you want to travel by ferry or hop on a flight. Both options are only available during specific days and months, depending on the season, but the two islands are regularly connected throughout the year – it’s just a matter of allowing a bit of flexibility.
The prices of flights and ferries may vary depending on the company and the time of your trip. In general, ferry travel is often more expensive than air travel, as direct flights from Sicily to Sardinia are operated by low-cost companies such as Ryan Air or Volotea.
On this guide you’ll find more information on your options to get from Sicily to Sardinia.
Flights from Sicily to Sardinia
Generally speaking, when it comes to air travel from Sicily to Sardinia, you can find direct flights or connecting flights (usually via Rome Fiumicino Airport), although the latter option is usually not very convenient, both in terms of cost and time.
The problem is that most direct flights are often only available during the summer and only on the weekends. Therefore, you’ll need to plan your trip and book your flights in advance, because these flights are often sold out.
Direct flights from Sicily to Sardinia are managed by RyanAir and Volotea. Both are low cost companies, so they have convenient costs, especially if you travel carry-on only. Keep in mind though, that you’ll have to book well in advance, in order to take advantage of the lowest prices. My policy is to usually grab a deal when I see it!
Flights from Palermo to Sardinia
Ryanair operates direct flights from Palermo to Cagliari Elmas Airport or to Alghero Fertilia Airport.
The Palermo – Cagliari flight operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from June to September, while in May and October it is also available on Sundays.
The Palermo – Alghero flight is available from April to October on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Flights from Palermo to both Cagliari and Alghero last about an hour and 15 minutes, though oftentimes you’ll see that these suggest timings are actually more than the actual duration of the flight (I think Ryanair allows a bit extra time to avoid complaints for delays). While Ryanair is a budget airline, it is actually very reliable and usually very punctual too.
The price of flights from Palermo to Sardinia can vary a lot and you can expect to pay from a mere €50 to even more than €200 (even if it’s meant to be a low cost airline!). Ryanair charges for every bit of your journey separately, so you’ll have to pay extra if you want to check in your suitcase, if you want to have assigned seats and priority boarding, etc. By booking in advance, you should be able to secure a lower price.
Direct flights to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport are operated by Volotea Airlines. Flights are available each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from the end of May to September.
Much like Ryanair, Volotea is a budget airline and operates on a similar system where you pay for each item on your booking. Volotea is very reliable and flights are usually punctual too.
To check the schedule and cost of flights from Palermo to Cagliari, Alghero or Olbia, you can use the app Omio, here.
Flights from Catania to Sardinia
Ryanair operates direct flights from Catania to Cagliari or Alghero. Flights from Catania to Cagliari are only available on weekends from April to October. As for the Catania – Alghero route, this one is only available from June to September on Thursdays and Sundays.
Volotea is the only carrier that operates direct flights from Catania to Olbia. Flights are available from the last days of May to the first days of October.
In all cases, the flight takes about 1 and 15 minutes. Again, booking in advance means you can secure a cheaper price.
To check the schedule and cost of flights from Catania to Sardinia, you can use the app Omio, here.
Make sure to also read about The Best Things To Do In Catania.
How much do Sicily to Sardinia flights cost?
The prices of Sicily to Sardinia flights vary a lot depending on the season, the carrier you use, and the day and time you wish to travel as well as any additional (and at times even the most basic) perk you wish to add.
Both Ryanair and Volotea can be quite convenient, as long as you accept to fly with just your purse or personal item. Once you start adding a carry-on bag or a checked in one, priority boarding or a specific seat, the price will inevitably go up.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some flights run at really odd hours, which may mean you need to get a taxi or private transfer to the airport if public transport is not running (though in most cases, bus will run in connection with the flights).
In any case, make sure to book well in advance for more availability and cheaper prices.
You can check the prices of flights from Sicily to Sardinia on the Omio app here.
Ferry from Sicily to Sardinia
It may come as a surprise to you, but ferries from Sicily to Sardinia are rarer than you might imagine! The only company that plies this route is Grimaldi Lines, which travels from Palermo to Cagliari on Sundays only.
The ferry journey takes around twelve hours, and it leaves from Palermo at 9:00 am, arriving in Cagliari at 9:00 pm.
Keep in mind that the cost of the ferry from Sicily to Sardinia varies a lot depending on whether you travel on foot, by bike or motorbike, or with your car, and on whether you decide to just opt for a plain seat, a second class or a first class cabin.
You can check the schedule and prices of the ferry from Palermo to Cagliari on Direct Ferries here.
Make sure to also read my post Where To Take The Ferry To Sardinia.
Further Readings
Traveling from other places? These posts may be helpful in learning how to get to Sardinia:
- How To Get From Barcelona To Sardinia
- How To Get From Corsica To Sardinia
- How To Get From Naples To Sardinia
- How To Get From Rome To Sardinia
- Which Are The Flights From London To Sardinia?
- The Best Amsterdam To Sardinia Flights
- The Best Paris To Sardinia Flights
- How To Get From Florence To Sardinia
- How To Get From Milan To Sardinia
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