Sardinia Ferry
Palermo - Cagliari
The island-to-island link between Sicily and Sardinia - capital to capital aboard the Europa Palace
- Crossing in around 12 hours with Grimaldi Lines
- About one departure a week, year-round
- Check-in in Palermo: 1 hour on foot, 2 hours with a vehicle before departure
What you should know about the crossing
Table of Contents
Getting there & the terminal
Grimaldi Lines departs from Palermo's city port; access runs via Via Francesco Crispi, with the terminal at the Stazione Marittima on Molo Piave (Via dell'Arsenale). The port sits at the edge of the old town; AMAT city buses and trams serve the port district, and airport transfers run to the terminal.
On this line, fast check-in applies: with your ticket, go straight to the boarding area and show it to Grimaldi staff, bypassing the ticket counter. There's a meeting point in the terminal for travellers with reduced mobility who have arranged assistance.
Check-in & departure
- Without a vehicle: at least one hour before departure at the boarding area.
- With a vehicle: at least two hours before departure; expect a wait in high season.
Arriving after the deadline forfeits your right to travel, even with a valid ticket. Carry photo ID for all travellers.
On board
The Europa Palace is 204 metres long, sails at 19 knots and carries 1,800 passengers in 242 cabins. Inside and outside cabins have two or four berths and en-suite showers, while the eight superior cabins have a double bed, TV and minibar. For meals there's self-service and an à la carte restaurant, plus an outdoor pool in the warmer months. Satellite Wi-Fi is available for an extra charge; phones connect to the ship's network at sea, which is noticeably more expensive than EU roaming.
Vehicle, bike & pets
Cars, motorhomes, motorbikes and bicycles all travel. Bicycles and e-scooters must be included in the booking, are walked to the ship via the vehicle lane, and stay on the vehicle deck during the crossing. For dimensions, everything attached to the vehicle counts; if it doesn't match the booked category, there's no boarding and no refund. Rules on trailers and onboard power are on Motorhomes on the ferry.
Dogs and cats travel in the onboard kennel or with Pet in Cabin in your own cabin (up to three animals). A lead and muzzle are required on the outer decks. Documents are explained in Travelling with a dog on the ferry.
Arrival & onward travel
In Cagliari, the ship docks at the historic port on Via Roma, right below the old town districts of Marina and Castello; the Grimaldi office is at Via Maddalena 3, and the port ticket office on Via Riva di Ponente. The train station is within walking distance, and CTM city buses stop at the port. By car, the SS131 heads north via Oristano to Sassari and Porto Torres, while the SS125 runs to the east coast.
Tickets & fares
Booking runs through the booking window above; the from-price is pulled live from the operator's data. Grimaldi Lines applies high and low season on this route, and residents and people born in Sardinia or Sicily book at a discount. Given the weekly departure, it's worth booking the outbound and return crossing together; for a vehicle and cabin in summer, book as early as possible.
Palermo - Cagliari
From Sicily direct to Sardinia
There is exactly one ferry line between the two big islands: Palermo - Cagliari. If you want to combine both islands in one trip, it saves you the detour via the mainland.
Grimaldi Lines operates the Europa Palace on this route year-round, normally once a week - depending on the date, either by day or overnight. Cars, motorhomes and motorbikes travel too.
- Crossing
- approx. 12 hrs
- Operator
- Grimaldi Lines
- Frequency
- approx. 1 departure a week
- From price
- €35
Next departures
FAQ Palermo - Cagliari
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Palermo - Cagliari ferry route
How long is the ferry from Palermo to Cagliari?+
Around 12 hours. Depending on the date, the ship sails by day or overnight; the timetable shows which departure runs on your travel date.
How often does the ferry run between Sicily and Sardinia?+
Grimaldi Lines operates the route year-round, normally once a week in each direction. Plan your trip around this date and check departure days early in the timetable.
How early do I need to be at the port?+
Without a vehicle, one hour before departure; with a vehicle, two hours. In Palermo and Cagliari, fast check-in applies: show your ticket directly at the boarding area, with no need to queue at the counter.
What does the crossing cost?+
The from-price above is pulled live from the operator's data. Grimaldi Lines distinguishes high and low season, and residents of Sardinia and Sicily pay less. A comparison of all Sardinia routes is on the price overview.
Can I bring my car or motorhome?+
Yes, cars, motorhomes, motorbikes and bicycles all travel. The vehicle category must match the booking; measurements include roof boxes and tow bars. Details on Motorhomes on the ferry.
Can my dog come on board?+
Yes, either in the onboard kennel or with the Pet in Cabin service in your own cabin. Lead and muzzle are compulsory. What documents you need is on Travelling with a dog on the ferry.