Frequently Asked Questions

No, no ferry sails directly from outside Italy, France or Spain to Sardinia. Every crossing starts in Italy, in Genoa, Livorno, Piombino, Civitavecchia or Naples, or alternatively in France from Nice and in Spain from Barcelona. You'll need to reach one of these ports overland first.

From the Italian mainland: Moby Lines together with Tirrenia, Grimaldi Lines and Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV). From France and Corsica, Corsica Ferries also operates, and on the short Bonifacio - Santa Teresa Gallura route, Ichnusa Lines too.

From the mainland, the routes to Olbia: from Piombino and from Civitavecchia in around five and a half hours. Only the hop from Corsica is shorter - Bonifacio - Santa Teresa Gallura takes about an hour.

Yes, Grimaldi Lines connects Palermo with Cagliari, usually once a week and mainly in summer. The crossing takes about twelve hours and runs during the day, though cabins are still available.

All departures with date, ferry company and arrival time are listed in the timetable. Set your travel date there to see the connections for your route. For Livorno - Olbia there's also a dedicated timetable.

The price depends on the route, travel date, vehicle length and accommodation, and varies a lot with the season. What makes up the fare is explained on the Sardinia ferry prices page. The amount for your trip is shown in the booking window on the route page.

During the Italian summer holidays, meaning July and August, plus the days around Ferragosto in mid-August. On every route, vehicle spaces sell out before passenger spots do. With a motorhome, it's therefore best to book months ahead.

That depends on the fare you booked. Flexible fares can be changed for a fee, cheap saver fares often not at all, and cancellations incur charges. The conditions are in your booking confirmation. Anyone who misses check-in with GNV has no right to a refund.

With a vehicle, two hours before departure is the rule, as required by GNV and Grimaldi Lines on their Sardinia routes. On foot, one hour is usually enough, or 30 minutes with some operators. If more than one operator is an option, plan for the stricter deadline.

Shortly before departure: in Genoa it closes 45 minutes before sailing on the domestic Italian routes. That's the hard cut-off - the recommended arrival at the terminal is well ahead of it. The figure for your departure is in your booking confirmation.

Then the ferry leaves without you. GNV puts it plainly: anyone who doesn't arrive for check-in in time, or doesn't board the ship named on their boarding pass, has no right to a refund, not even a partial one.

A valid ID card or passport for every traveller, including children, plus your ticket. GNV requires both in paper form and issues a boarding pass with your seat number in return. With a vehicle, you'll also need the number plate and vehicle documents.

At Piazzale dei Traghetti Iqbal Masih, in the Varco Albertazzi area. By car, the Genova Ovest (A7), Genova Aeroporto (A10) and Genova Est (A12) exits lead there. On foot it's a few minutes from Piazza Principe station, and bus line 20 also serves it.

On the overnight sailings from Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples and Barcelona, it's worth it. Deck passage and reclining seats are also options, and GNV additionally offers premium and deluxe cabins as well as suites. On a day sailing, a reclining seat is usually enough.

On the larger ships: a restaurant, self-service, a bar and a shop, plus a pizzeria and steakhouse with GNV. Internet is available for a fee - GNV offers it under the name Sea-Fi, and Corsica Ferries also has Wi-Fi on board.

No. The vehicle deck is closed for the whole crossing, with every operator. Take anything you'll need on board with you beforehand: medication, charging cables, a change of clothes and your travel documents. More on Taking a motorhome on the ferry.

Yes, every Sardinia ferry carries vehicles, from cars to motorbikes to a car-and-trailer combination. Booking is by length and height, including roof box, rear rack and tow bar. What else applies is on Taking a motorhome on the ferry.

Yes, dogs and cats travel on every Sardinia route, declared at booking. Depending on the ship, your pet stays in a kennel, on deck or in a pet cabin, but it may not stay in the vehicle. Everything else on Taking your dog on the ferry.

Yes, on every connection. Check-in can be later than with a vehicle - usually an hour before departure is enough. But think about onward travel: Sardinia's ports are far apart, and without a car you'll depend on buses and trains.