Buses to and from Cagliari Airport (CAG)

Cagliari Airport is commonly referred to as Cagliari-Elmas Airport, as it is situated in the area of Elmas, approximately 7 km from Cagliari. It is an international airport, handling over three million passengers per year. Passengers arriving at this airport, or traveling to the airport, can choose between numerous transportation options. Besides the usual taxis and vehicles to hire, passengers can make use of the bus services operated by a company called the ARST Azienda Regionale Trasporti. This company can be contacted at their toll free number of 800 865042, or at 070 4098327.

The bus services offered at the Airport are comfortable and convenient, and it is only a ten minute journey between the airport and the ARST Bus Station. Buses travel from Cagliari every half an hour. The ARST Bus Station is nearby the train station in Downtown Cagliari, in Piazza Matteotti.

Cagliari buses stop outside its terminal building. One is located outside the arrivals area, and is indicated by a blue and white ARST sign, and another is situated outside the departures area, and is indicated by the word ‘Bus’ printed in yellow on the roadside. A single, one-way bus ticket to Cagliari will cost 0.67 Euro, and bus tickets must be purchased before boarding the bus, as they are not sold on the bus itself. Passengers can buy tickets at the airport, from the Newsstand/Bookstore, or ‘edicola’ in Italian. This outlet is found one floor below the Departures level. The first bus leaves the airport at 08:40, and the last bus departs at 23:30.

Passengers traveling from the ARST Bus Station to the airport will leave from Platform 8. The first bus departs for the airport at 05:20, and the last is available at 22:30. Between these hours the buses depart approximately every half an hour from the bus station. Bus tickets can be purchased at the MacDonald’s, which is situated right next to the ARST Bus Station.

There is no actual train station on site, therefore passengers arriving in Cagliari by train, or those passengers who would like to continue their journey by train, will need to use these bus services in order to reach the airport or train station in Cagliari. However, the ARST Bus Station is located alongside the train station, therefore it is easy to switch between bus and train.

Although most passengers find the bus services to be comfortable, some people prefer to arrange a more private sort of transport. There are various companies which offer airport transfer services at Cagliari Airport, including Shuttle Direct. When you have booked the services of one of these companies, the driver will meet you in the arrivals area, and escort you to the waiting vehicle. Private shuttle buses are also available for a less expensive form of transport. The shuttle buses stop at all the main hotels and resorts nearby Cagliari Airport. Most of these companies have a website available for online reservations and payments, and you can arrange your return trip to the airport in advance as well. Knowing that your transport to and from the airport is organized can add a positive contribution to your holiday or business trip.

Many hotels may offer transport from or to the airport as well. These shuttle services are usually offered free of charge, but may require an advanced booking. Find out from your hotel if they have a shuttle service available when booking your accommodation.

Cagliari Airport consists of a single, multi-level terminal building, which was recently upgraded in 2003. Its three levels offer the Arrivals area on the ground floor, Departure areas on the first floor and airport administration offices on the top floor. There is also a restaurant and terrace with views of the airport available on the top floor. Passengers will find all the amenities they require within the terminal, including ATMs, a post office, first aid station and various shopping and refreshment outlets. There are two VIP lounges in the Departures area, as well as the ‘Sala Amica’ Lounge for the assistance of disabled or reduced mobility passengers. The VIP lounges offer self-service bars, satellite television, WiFi internet connections and flight information monitors in a relaxing and comfortable environment. Business passengers may also use the facilities offered in the Business Center, which is located on the top floor of the airport. Here there is a conference room that can seat up to 150 people, and eight smaller office areas for more private business meetings.

At the airport, there is an information point which provides tourist information for arriving passengers, and information desks for more general airport enquiries. There is also information available online, at Cagliari’s official website, http://www.cagliariairport.it/en/. From this website, a link is available to the website of the ARST Bus company, where passengers can find out more information about the bus services offered.