Operator
Tirrenia
The traditional Sardinia ferry operator - history, fleet, check-in, pets and fares in profile
- On the Sardinia routes since 1936, now part of the Moby Group
- Civitavecchia - Olbia and Genoa - Porto Torres, all year round
- Check-in with a vehicle: 90 minutes in Civitavecchia, Olbia and Porto Torres, 2 hours in Genoa
About Tirrenia
Table of Contents
About Tirrenia
Tirrenia was founded in Naples in December 1936, when the Italian state reorganised its subsidised shipping lines under the Finmare umbrella; Tirrenia Società Anonima di Navigazione took over the fleets of several predecessor companies along with the Tyrrhenian Sea routes. After the war it became Tirrenia di Navigazione, which from the 1960s onward introduced the first car ferries to Sardinia and, with the Poeta class, defined the Civitavecchia - Olbia and Genoa - Porto Torres routes. The state era ended in 2012: the operator was privatised and transferred to Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione (CIN), which has been wholly owned by the Onorato family's Moby Group since July 2015. The Tirrenia brand remains on the ships and in bookings.
Fleet
The passenger fleet consists of ships built from 2000 onward. On the Sardinia routes, the Bithia class (Bithia, Janas, Athara), built between 2001 and 2003 to carry 2,700 passengers and 900 cars at 30 knots, and the Nuraghes class (Nuraghes, Sharden), from 2004 and 2005, with greater freight capacity. On board there are reclining seats, twin and four-berth cabins, suites and accessible cabins, a restaurant and self-service serving Sardinian dishes, a croissanterie and a bar.
Routes to Sardinia
Tirrenia runs Civitavecchia - Olbia year-round with day and evening departures, and Genoa - Porto Torres as an overnight ferry every month of the year. Both routes carry cars, motorhomes, motorcycles and pets. The sister brand Moby Lines adds Genoa - Olbia, Livorno - Olbia and the Corsica ferry from Santa Teresa di Gallura.
Check-in, vehicles and pets
Check-in takes place on the forecourt outside the ship, and the ticket is personal. In Civitavecchia, Olbia and Porto Torres, you need to arrive 30 minutes before departure without a vehicle, 90 minutes with one; in Genoa, two hours with a vehicle, 30 minutes without, one hour from June to September - access via the Varco Albertazzi gate opens only six hours before departure and only with a ticket. Only the driver is allowed onto the vehicle deck; everyone else boards via the pedestrian access. Vehicles up to 2.20 m in height and 5 m in length travel at the standard fare, above that with a surcharge; gas- and methane-powered vehicles must be declared at booking and arrive with a half-empty tank. Pets need a ticket, rabies vaccination and a valid health certificate; pet cabins with linoleum flooring and a hygiene mat hold up to three animals, while small pets travel in a carrier. More in the guides Motorhomes on the ferry and Travelling with a dog on the ferry.
Tickets
Tirrenia sells Best Offer fares for cars and motorcycles, a promotional rate for motorhomes, caravans and minibuses, and discounts for residents and people born on the island; names and number plates in the booking must match the travellers and the vehicle. Current prices are shown in each route's booking window, with a comparison on the price overview.
FAQ Tirrenia
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Tirrenia and the ferries to Sardinia
Which routes does Tirrenia run to Sardinia?+
Civitavecchia - Olbia, with day and evening departures year-round, plus the overnight Genoa - Porto Torres ferry. The sister brand Moby Lines runs Genoa - Olbia and Livorno - Olbia.
Is Tirrenia part of Moby?+
Yes. Tirrenia was founded in 1936 as a state-owned operator, privatised in 2012 and transferred to Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione (CIN); since 2015, CIN has been wholly owned by the Onorato family's Moby Group. Bookings still go under the Tirrenia name.
How early do I need to be at the port with Tirrenia?+
In Civitavecchia, Olbia and Porto Torres, 30 minutes before departure without a vehicle, 90 minutes with one. In Genoa, two hours with a vehicle, 30 minutes without - one hour from June to September.
Which ships sail to Sardinia?+
The Bithia class (Bithia, Janas, Athara - carrying 2,700 passengers and 900 cars at 30 knots) and the Nuraghes class (Nuraghes, Sharden), with reclining seats, cabins and suites, a restaurant, self-service and a bar.
Can I bring my motorhome?+
Yes. Up to 2.20 m in height and 5 m in length, the standard fare applies; above that, a surcharge, measured including hitch and drawbar. Gas-powered vehicles must be declared with a half-empty tank. More on Motorhomes on the ferry.
Does Tirrenia carry pets?+
Yes, with a ticket, rabies vaccination and a valid health certificate. Pet cabins with linoleum flooring and a hygiene mat hold up to three animals. Papers and rules are on Travelling with a dog on the ferry.
Where can I find the timetable and prices?+
Departures are listed in the timetable, prices in each route's booking window; a comparison is on the price overview.