Alghero Fertilia Airport (AHO), also known as Riviera del Corallo Airport, serves as a key gateway to northwestern Sardinia, handling around 1.5 million passengers annually. Located eight kilometres northwest of Alghero’s city centre, this mid-sized airport connects travellers to domestic destinations like Rome and Milan, as well as international routes across Europe, including Barcelona, Budapest, and London, primarily through airlines such as Ryanair, ITA Airways, and Volotea. Its single terminal, recently expanded to 14,000 square metres, provides a straightforward experience for those exploring Sardinia’s scenic coast.
Accessing the airport is convenient with multiple transport options. The ALFA Line 1 bus runs hourly from 5:00 AM to 10:30 PM, linking the airport to Alghero’s Via Catalogna near the old town in about 30 minutes for €1. Tickets are available at the terminal’s souvenir shop or onboard, though drivers may not always sell them. Taxis, stationed outside arrivals, offer a 15–20 minute ride to the city centre for approximately €20–30. Car rental desks, including Hertz and Avis, are located in the arrivals area, and two parking lots—Comfort with 353 spaces and Low Cost with 226—are available near the terminal, with short-term rates starting at €1 per hour. Drivers can reach the airport via the SP42 and SS291 roads, though traffic during peak summer months may slow travel.
The airport’s single terminal is divided into two levels, with 22 check-in desks, four boarding gates, and separate areas for domestic and international flights. Arrivals and departures are clearly signposted, with check-in and baggage claim areas on the ground floor and security and gates upstairs. The compact layout ensures short walking distances, and moving walkways assist navigation. Security checks are generally efficient, but passengers should arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international ones to account for potential queues, especially during summer when seasonal flights increase traffic. Non-Schengen flights require additional passport control, which may add time.
Dining options include a bar and cafeteria serving snacks, light meals, and local Sardinian specialities, with payment required at the cash register before service. Cafés and restaurants are available both before and after security, though choices are limited compared to larger airports. Retail offerings feature duty-free shops with quality local products like handicrafts, wines, and cheeses, alongside a newsstand and Giunti al Punto for books, magazines, and gifts. The duty-free area in baggage claim provides additional shopping for arriving passengers.
Facilities cater to essential needs, with free Wi-Fi available throughout the terminal, though connectivity can be inconsistent. The Alghero Airport Lounge offers comfortable seating, complimentary snacks, drinks, and faster Wi-Fi for a fee or through priority passes, while a VIP terminal provides premium services like fast-track processing and private spaces. Accessibility features include elevators, ramps, and wheelchair assistance, bookable in advance. A tourist information desk, currency exchange, ATMs, and basic medical services are available, but there are no luggage storage lockers or charging stations in the departure area, so travellers should bring power banks. The Airport Hotel, within walking distance, offers convenient accommodation for layovers.
On-time performance is generally reliable, with most flights departing within 15 minutes of schedule. However, delays can occur during peak summer months due to high passenger volumes or staffing shortages at security and check-in. Low-cost carriers may enforce strict baggage policies, slowing processes if passengers are unprepared. Weather conditions, such as strong coastal winds, can also affect operations, so checking flight statuses via airline apps is recommended.
Connections are straightforward due to the single terminal, with minimum connection times of 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic, domestic-to-international, and international-to-international transfers. Passengers on separate tickets should allow at least two hours for luggage rechecking and customs. The compact design and clear signage simplify transfers, though those on non-aligned carriers may need to verify gate locations to avoid delays.
Ryanair operates flights to Dublin on Mondays and Fridays from the main terminal, with check-in desks typically in the check-in area (desks 1–10). Exact desk numbers are displayed on airport screens. Departure Gates: Flights to Ireland (e.g., Dublin) typically depart from Schengen gates (e.g., gates 1–5). Gates are assigned dynamically.
