La Maddalena is reached by ferry from Palau, a small town on the northeastern tip of Sardinia. The crossing takes about 15 minutes and ferries run frequently throughout the day — roughly every 30 minutes in summer, less often off-season. Two ferry companies operate the route; tickets are cheap and can be bought at the Palau port.
Palau itself is reached from Olbia, which has the nearest airport (Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport, served by flights from most major Italian cities and several European destinations). The drive from Olbia to Palau is about 40 kilometres, taking roughly 45 minutes. Buses also run between Olbia and Palau in summer.
From the mainland, ferries and fast boats serve Olbia and Santa Teresa di Gallura (just north of Palau) from Civitavecchia, Livorno, and Genoa.