Cagliari Airport Arrivals (CAG)

Cagliari is the most important airport in Sardinia, Italy, and considered as a major gateway to this popular region. It is situated 7 km from Cagliari, in the territory of Elmas, and is therefore commonly referred to as Cagliari-Elmas Airport. Its other Italian name is Aeroporto Mario Mameli. Over three million passengers pass through the airport each year, and the terminal building was recently upgraded to ensure that it can handle the ever increasing number of passengers arriving and departing from this airport. Arriving passengers will find that the terminal is modern and well equipped with all the necessary amenities required for an international airport.

There is only a single terminal building at Cagliari Airport, which has three levels. The terminal’s renovations were completed in June of 2003, and its new look is impressive with its wide glass and metallic surfaces that reflect the natural colors of is surroundings, and the entire construction made from white limestone, a building material which is very common in Cagliari. The floors are made of Sardinian granite, and the terminal inside is free of any architectural barriers.

The Domestic and International Arrivals Area is located on the ground floor, while the first floor (or second level) is dedicated to Departures. The top floor of the terminal is mainly used for the airport company’s administration offices, but there is also a restaurant and Business Center on this level. The Departures level is directly connected to the multistory car parking area by an elevated tunnel, and features 42 check-in desks, various shopping outlets and refreshment areas before and beyond the security control checks, and two VIP lounges, offering a relaxing and peaceful environment, satellite television, a self-service bar area and WiFi internet connections.

The Arrivals Area of the airport has a secured area for baggage collection and ‘lost and found’ offices, which is only accessible to staff and passengers. In the International Arrivals section there are offices for Customs, Police and Guardia di Finanza. The large common area of the airport offers various useful amenities, such as the full-service bank of Bancomat, ATMs, a post office and first aid station. In this area there is a variety of shops and refreshment outlets as well, such as a coffee bar and ice-cream parlor.

Cagliari Airport is fully accessible to disabled passengers, or persons with reduced mobility. There are elevators for easy access to the various levels of the airport, disabled toilet facilities, pavement ramps and dedicated car parking spaces. Disembarkation from the aircraft is made as comfortable as possible for persons in wheelchairs by lifting equipment called an ambulift. On the Departures level there is also the ‘Sala Amica’ Lounge, which is dedicated to offering assistance to disabled persons. If you require special assistance on arrival, you must arrange this service with your airline company when you book your ticket, or at least 48 hours before you leave. The airline company staff will then ensure that there is someone ready and waiting for your arrival at the airport. Assistance will be offered through the procedures of customs and baggage collection, and up until the time you are ready to leave the airport, or until you meet with your friends or family members.

Once passengers are ready to leave the airport they have various transportation options. There is a bus service operated by the ARST Bus Company that travels between Cagliari Airport and the Trenitalia railway station in Downtown Cagliari, in Piazza Matteotti. This bus departs from the bus stops outside the Arrivals and Departure Areas approximately every half an hour. Many taxis are available outside the airport’s arrival area as well. There is no actual train station on the airport site, therefore passengers who will be continuing their journey by train should catch the ARST bus to the railway station. All the popular car hire companies are located in the Arrivals area, and many people find that having their own rented vehicle is the ideal way to explore this region of Sardinia. Companies available include Hertz, Sixt, Avis, National, Alamo, Thrifty, Easycar, Budget, Auto Europa, Sardinya Rent A Car, Eurorent, Pinna Rent A Car, Matta Rent A Car, Ruvioli Rent A Car and Pintauro Rent A Car.

There are no hotels at the airport, but there are many in the vicinity. Find out from your hotel if they have transportation to and from the airport, as this is often a complimentary service offered by many hotels. Some hotels in the area include the Hotel Panorama, a four star establishment just 11 km from Cagliari Airport and nearby the city center and Poetto Beach, the Hotel T Cagliari is situated a kilometer from the old town, and has 207 air conditioned rooms, and the Hotel Regina Margherita is located in the center of Cagliari, within easy walking distance of some of the main attractions, including the Bastione San Remy and Palazzo Viceregio. Other hotels include the Hotel 4 Mori and the Sardinia Domus, which is a two minute walk from the bus and railway stations.

Passengers arriving at Cagliari will find the weather to be hot in summer and mild in winter, and the water warm enough for almost year-round swimming. Cagliari is an ideal location for sailing, hiking and outdoor sports. Tourist information is available at the airport. To find out more about the airport itself, you can visit the official airport website at http://www.cagliariairport.it/en/.