Alghero and Olbia are two of the most important gateways to Sardinia and are both located on the north coast but in opposite positions. The driving distance is about 135-138 km, which can be covered in approximately 1h30 by car. Here are all the options you have to travel between the two cities.
1. 🚗 Car (the most comfortable option)
- Distance: ~136 km · Time: 1h 30min – 2h
- Route: SS291 → SS131 → SS597, passing near Sassari
- No tolls on the route
- Car rental available directly at Alghero-Fertilia Airport or at Olbia port/airport
- It is the only truly flexible option in terms of schedules, especially in low season
- Useful link: DiscoverCars to book a rental car
2. 🚌 Seasonal Direct Bus – Sun Lines (Line 90)
- Active only from April 15 to October 15, 2026, every day
- Route: Alghero center/airport → Sassari → Olbia airport/port/center
- Indicative departures from Alghero center: 07:00 and 15:00 (arrival at Olbia port around 08:50 and 16:55)
- Online ticket recommended: buying on board incurs a €5 surcharge
- Official timetable: https://www.sunlines.it/pdf/LINEA-90.pdf
- Ticket purchase: https://sites.bigosolutions.it/sunlines/it
⚠️ Out of season (November-March) this direct service does not run: you will need to combine multiple means of transport (see point 4).
3. 🚂 Train (with change in Sassari)
There is no direct train from Alghero to Olbia. The journey requires two segments:
- Alghero → Sassari: ARST regional line, ~40 min, roughly hourly services on weekdays. Timetables: https://www.arst.sardegna.it/servizi-orari/servizi-ferroviari-tpl/sassari-alghero/
- Sassari → Olbia: Trenitalia line. Travel time Sassari-Olbia approx. 1h30-2h. Tickets: https://www.trenitalia.com
The usual train route is: Alghero ⇢ Sassari ⇢ Ozieri-Chilivani ⇢ Olbia
⚠️ Attention: the ARST Sassari-Alghero line has had temporary suspensions with replacement buses even in summer 2026 (e.g. June 29 – August 7). Always check the service status before traveling.
4. 🚌 Bus with change (low season)
Outside the months of the direct Sun Lines service, you can combine:
- ARST bus Alghero → Sassari
- ARST bus Sassari → Olbia (not direct, with one or two stops)
- Total travel time: about 4 hours
- Useful link:
5. 🚕 Taxi / Private NCC
Useful outside public transport schedules or with bulky luggage. Indicative cost for the entire journey: 200-300€, variable by season and operator. Book directly with local NCCs or through the departure airport. Note: the Uber app is available in Sardinia (with limitations depending on the location) – as in the rest of Italy, you cannot book private rides but only official taxis and NCCs.
Useful link: https://www.bookaway.com/it
5. 🚙 BlaBla Car
The carpooling service is not very popular in Sardinia, but during high season some options may be available. Worth checking but not very reliable.
Useful link: https://www.blablacar.it/
Available travel options between Alghero and Olbia
| Means | Time | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car | 1h30-2h | All year | Most flexible and comfortable |
| Sun Lines direct bus | ~2h | Only 15 Apr – 15 Oct | Comfortable but seasonal |
| Train (with change in Sassari) | ~3h30-3h45 | All year (weekdays) | Long but feasible |
| ARST bus with change | 4h+ | All year | Very long and depends on connections |
| Taxi/NCC | 1h30-2h | All year, on request | The most expensive but door-to-door |
| BlaBlaCar | 2h | To be checked | Not very frequent |
In summary: The best way to travel between Alghero and Olbia is by car. But if this is not possible, the most comfortable solutions are the SunLines bus during the summer period, or the train with a stop in Sassari.
… and have a great holiday! 🌊
