In this guide, we’ll see how to get to La Maddalena archipelago (and then we’ll also see how to get around the islands) without a car, and saving money!
How to get to La Maddalena
To get to the Maddalena archipelago without a car, you’ll need to:
- get to Olbia airport (or port), both because it’s the closest to the archipelago, and because if you arrive at other airports (Alghero or Cagliari) you’d necessarily have to make an overnight stopover if you only want to use public transport;
- take a bus trip from Olbia to the port of Palau (or use a transfer);
- finally, reach the archipelago with a 15-minute journey on the Palau-Maddalena ferry.
Let’s now look at all the possible travel combinations in more detail.
You may like: How to get around La Maddalena by bus
Direct buses from Olbia to Palau
Palau is a town on the north of Sardinia, the closest a port to reach the Maddalena archipelago. To go from Olbia to Palau by bus, there are at least two different options.
Turmo Travel line from the airport/port to Palau
The first option is the fastest if you’re at Olbia airport or the Maritime port and the schedules match up for you.
The Turmo Travel company runs direct services from Olbia airport towards Palau and then Santa Teresa di Gallura. This is a direct service that makes very few stops, so it’s the fastest solution, taking about 90 minutes. In Olbia, it only stops at the airport and the maritime port before leaving the city and continuing on.
The updated timetables and services for the “Aeroporto Olbia-Palau-Santa Teresa” line are on the official Turmo Travel website: during the summer it runs 5 times a day and the journey time to Palau is less than two hours.
Urban bus to the center + ARST bus to Palau
The second possibility is to go from Olbia airport to the city center in 10 minutes with the ASPO urban buses (line 10 or line 2) and then from the center of Olbia take the ARST intercity bus (line 601) from Olbia to Palau.
You’ll make the change between the urban and intercity bus by getting off at the Corso Vittorio Veneto stop, the avenue where most bus lines stop.
Tickets and prices from Olbia airport to Palau
If you take the Turmo Travel bus from Olbia airport (or port) to Palau, the ticket costs €3.10 each way and you buy it directly on board from the driver (bring coins!).
If you choose the second option ASPO+ARST instead, the price is €1 for the urban ticket to the center + €3.10 for the ARST ticket from Olbia to Palau. In this case, tickets can also be bought via app (ASPO app here, for ARST you can use the Dropticket or Around Sardinia app)
Where do you catch the bus at Olbia airport?
Once you exit the Olbia airport doors, turn immediately right and walk to the end of the sidewalk. You’ll find yourself in front of a series of numbered bays, like in the photo below. The use of the bays might vary but the main ones currently stop:
- At bay number 5, the direct lines to Palau (Turmo Travel);
- At number 3 the Aspo urban lines that go to the center of Olbia (or surroundings);
- Other ARST intercity lines that travel around the region (e.g., Nuoro), from number 4.
Ferry from Palau to La Maddalena
Once you arrive at the port of Palau, which you’ll easily recognize by sight or from the drivers’ announcements, you’ll need to get off at the only stop and take the ferry to get to La Maddalena after buying tickets.
At the time of writing this guide, there are two companies that operate the crossing from Palau to La Maddalena and back: Delcomar and Maddalena Lines. On their official websites, you’ll find updated timetables and fares, which can vary from year to year.
Palau-Maddalena ferry prices and timetables
Normally, each company has a departure every half hour and the crossing time is about 15-20 minutes. The two companies have similar prices, roughly €10-12 round trip.
The round-trip ticket has a discount compared to two single tickets, and the return is open-dated so you can use it flexibly. For the outbound journey, the ticket price includes a surcharge which is the landing tax for the Maddalena archipelago.
Tickets are bought at the ticket offices in Palau here for Delcomar and here for Maddalena Lines, but keep in mind possible queues during peak months, don’t arrive with only minutes to spare. At the time of writing, Maddalena Lines also allows you to buy tickets online, which could make things easier if you’re short on time or there are queues at the ticket offices.
Which company to choose between the two? It doesn’t really matter much. Choose based on your schedule, trying to book the round trip with the same company to save money. Also, don’t calculate things down to the minute: ferries can depart or arrive even 10-15 minutes late, watch out for connections.
Read also: Where to stay in La Maddalena
Direct transfer to get to La Maddalena
Does all this seem too complicated? Do you have a lot of luggage? Or are you a large group and the cost of all the bus tickets is going huge?
Then you might consider a transfer service like WelcomePickups. It’s basically a service similar to a taxi but booked just for your group, with a driver waiting for you in the arrivals area of Olbia airport who takes you by car or minivan directly to the port of Palau. On the official website, you can calculate the exact cost and book online.
How to get from La Maddalena to Olbia airport?
Simply by reversing the routes we’ve seen so far 🙂 Ferry to Palau and then, from the bus stops located just to the right of the pier, take the Turmo Travel bus that goes direct to the Olbia airport or port, or the ARST bus that goes to Olbia city center.
Finally, don’t forget to also take a look at the best area to stay in La Maddalena, which are the best beaches in La Maddalena to visit once you’ve landed, and to find the cheapest flight among all available options using the box below! 🙂
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