Cagliari Airport to City Centre

All Options at a Glance

Train (the One You Want)

The Trenitalia regional train connects Elmas Aeroporto station directly to Cagliari Centrale. The station is inside the airport building — no outdoor walk, no shuttle bus.

1. Follow signs to "Stazione" or "Train" after you pick up your luggage.
2. Buy a ticket (EUR 1.30) at the self-service machines in the station. Cash and cards both work.
3. Board any train heading to Cagliari. They come roughly every 20 minutes, running daily from about 05:30 to 23:00.
4. Get off at Cagliari Centrale — five to seven minutes later. You are at Piazza Matteotti, right where the Stampace and Marina quarters meet.

From Cagliari Centrale, our apartments in Stampace are a 7-minute walk along Via Roma. The route is flat and well-lit — no issue even with a suitcase.

Bus

ARST (the local bus company) runs several lines between the airport and Piazza Matteotti. Same price as the train — EUR 1.30 — but the ride takes 20 to 25 minutes. Stops are outside the terminal; look for the blue-and-white ARST signs near arrivals. You can buy tickets at the newsstand inside the airport.

Honestly, the train is faster, more frequent, and leaves from inside the building. The bus makes sense only if the train is not running.

Taxi

Taxis queue outside arrivals. The ride to central Cagliari costs about EUR 25 and takes 10 to 15 minutes. Worth it if you have heavy luggage, are travelling in a group, or arrive late at night when trains have stopped.

Private Transfer

Pre-bookable sedans start from about EUR 44. Useful for families or late-night arrivals. If you are staying with us, we can arrange one — just mention it when you book.

Car Rental

Major rental companies have desks at the airport. But unless you plan to explore outside the city — Villasimius, Costa Smeralda, the inland mountains — you do not need a car. Central Cagliari is compact and walkable, and parking in the old town is limited and paid.

After 23:00

Trains stop running around 23:00. If you arrive on a late flight, a taxi from the rank outside arrivals is the simplest option. Our apartments use 24/7 self check-in with a digital access code, so you can arrive at any hour without worrying about key handover.

Frequently Asked Questions