Train travel in Sardinia is possible between most important cities. There is also a tourist train service. Trains are not the most popular means of transport among tourists; most people explore the island by renting a car. In Sardinia, railway connections are served by two carriers – the state-owned Trenitalia and ARST, a regional carrier that also operates bus connections.
Last updated: 26.03.2024
Train travel in Sardinia – Trenitalia
Trenitalia operates raiway connections on standard gauge lines. The lines served by Trenitalia resemble the shape of the letter Y. Trenitalia trains in Sardinia run on the following routes:
Cagliari – Ozieri/Chilivani – Olbia
(Porto Torres) – Sassari – Ozieri/Chilivani – Olbia
Cagliari – Ozieri/Chilivani – Sassari
Cagliari – Iglesias (suburban)
Olbia – Golfo Aranci (suburban)
If you want to travel by long-distance trains, usually you need to change trains at Ozieri/Chilivani station, while once or twice a day, direct trains run, for example, Cagliari – Olbia without the need to change.
If you are considering visiting Ozieri or Chilivani, there is not much interesting in Chilivani, except atrractions for railway enthusiasts who might be interested in the dismantled railway line; nearby, there is a nice old railway bridge.
Ozieri is a pleasant town of eleven thousand inhabitants with a cathedral and typical Sardinian town architecture, and nearby there is a notable attraction – the San Michele cave. There is one problem – Ozieri is 8 kilometers away from the railway station. Along the way from the station to the town, you can see one of the nuraghes and a small bridge from Roman times long overgrown with grass. Fortunately, buses run quite frequently between the railway station and Ozieri.
Trenitalia – timetable search engine (select Tutti treni and then search)
Railway map of Sardinia (Trenitalia and Arst)
Train travel in Sardinia – Italia Tour
If you want to travel by train In Sicily, Trenitalia has an excellent network pass for it’s regional trains:
Italia in Tour – a network ticket for regional and suburban trains, including the Leonardo Express, operated by Trenitalia and Trenitalia Tper. At the time of writing the article, it was available in two variants: for 3 consecutive days for 29 euros and for 5 consecutive days for 49 euros, with children aged 4 to 12 eligible for a discounted ticket. The ticket allows travel on regional trains over a large area of Italy but is not valid on trains in the Cinque Terre area (between Levanto and La Spezia stations) or on trains operated by other carriers, including Trenord.
Italia in Tour – official website; more information
Trenitalia also offers a monthly network pass for specific regions, including Sardinia. However, this is a pass issued for a calendar month, from the 1st to the last day of the month. At the time of the article update, a pass allowing travel on Trenitalia regional trains in second class for a month cost 120 euros. The offer is called “Full Promo”.
Trains in Sardinia- ARST
ARST is a regional carrier that operates narrow-gauge railway lines and bus connections in Sardinia. Additionally, during the tourist season, ARST operates Trenino Verde tourist trains on three railway lines (the fourth section from Nulvi to Palau was closed in 2014). These tourist trains run on selected days during the season and are typically composed of either old railbuses or rolling stock from depots (although rarely). Organized groups have the option to rent a train at any time.
ARST train routes are relatively short, with modest speeds, and the rolling stock is often aging, although it somehow contributes to the nostalgic atmosphere of the villages you pass through. ARST trains operate on the following routes:
Sassari – Alghero
Sassari – Sorso
Sassari – Nulvi
Macomer – Nuoro
Monserrato – Mandas – Isili
Additionally, during the season, Trenino Verde operates on the following routes:
– Macomer – Bosa
– Isili – Sorgono
– Mandas – Arbatax
From June 1st to September 30th, tourists can use the “Tourist Bus Ticket,” a network ticket that allows unlimited trips on ARST vehicles during its validity period. As the carrier indicates on its website, the ticket is valid on all ARST means of transport except the Trenino Verde tourist train, so it should also be valid on scheduled trains. The ticket can be purchased for durations of 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. While writing the article, I did not find any information on whether the offer is still valid.
ARST – official website
Related articles:
Train travel in Italy
Train travel in Sicily
Railways in Europe by country
