Sardinia Cruise Travel
Cruise Travel to Northern Sardinia
Olbia is the main cruise port in northern Sardinia. Ships dock at Isola Bianca, a mile or so from the town center. The port's Stazione Marittima holds a bar and a restaurant, car-rental agencies, and a place to leave luggage. Shuttle buses are available for the short trip to the center; otherwise it takes a 15-minute walk, a brief ride by city bus (No. 9), or a trip via train, which runs infrequently. Taxis are also on hand if you wish to venture farther afield.
Some ships stop at Porto Torres, in the northwest, where there is a shuttle service to the town center, though you’ll find less in the way of shops and services there. If you have time, your best option is to take a bus or hire a taxi to Alghero, about an hour away, or Sassari, half an hour away, to reach museums, shops, and good restaurants. Renting a car gives you the greatest freedom; rental prices for a compact manual vehicle start at €60 per day.
Cruise Travel to Southern Sardinia
The cruise port is close to Cagliari's downtown core. A free shuttle is provided from the dock to the port entrance, but it’s not a long walk. The Stazione Marittima has basic facilities for passengers, and the city’s main information kiosk lies right outside, but there are better options for shopping, eating, and currency exchange in town. It’s possible to walk between attractions within Cagliari itself, but the terrain is hilly, so you may want to use public transport.
Buses serving the city are run by CTM. They depart from Piazza Matteotti, which is five minutes from the port. Tickets can be bought in the piazza: a single ticket valid for 90 minutes costs €1.20, and a day ticket costs €3. Remember to validate the tickets in the small machine on the bus as you start your journey. Frequent buses run from here to Poetto Beach and Nora.
If you intend to simply explore the city, then a vehicle will be impractical because parking is difficult; however, a car would be useful to explore the coast and towns of southern Sardinia. Car rental costs from €60 per day for a compact vehicle. Delivery to the port may cost extra.
