Guide
Taking a Motorhome to Sardinia
Dimensions, check-in deadlines and vehicle deck rules, for every ferry route to Sardinia
- Every Sardinia ferry route carries motorhomes and trailer combinations
- The price is based on length and height, including any fittings
- Vehicle spaces sell out before passenger spaces in summer
Taking a motorhome on the ferry
Table of Contents
The only way to reach Sardinia with a motorhome is by ferry, and the question isn't whether, it's from which port. Every operator serving the island carries motorhomes, caravans and trailer combinations; the differences lie in dimensions, deadlines and what's allowed on the vehicle deck.
Dimensions decide the price
Booking is based on length and height, including all fittings: a bike rack on the back, a roof box, an awning left out, a tow bar. A few centimetres can be enough to tip you into the next price bracket.
Measure your vehicle yourself rather than going by the manufacturer's figure, which applies to the vehicle as it left the factory, not to yours with a rack and box fitted. Book too small and you pay extra at the counter; measure too small and the deck is already full, and you may not travel at all.
Check-in: two hours is the standard
With a vehicle, longer deadlines apply everywhere than on foot. On the Italian routes to Sardinia, two hours before departure is the usual figure; Moby Lines states two hours for Genoa and 90 minutes for Livorno. In peak season, add time for the queue at the port entrance, allow more in July and August.
Before leaving the vehicle, the rule everywhere is the same: engine off, gear engaged, handbrake on, mirrors folded in.
Gas bottles and shore power
Gas bottles can travel with you, but must be closed and secured before boarding. During the crossing, no gas or electric operation is allowed inside the vehicle, including the fridge. If you rely on chilled supplies, plan the crossing around that or use a battery-powered cool box.
Shore power for campers is not available on the Sardinia ferries.
The vehicle deck is closed
You won't have access to your motorhome for the whole crossing. This isn't a matter of goodwill, it's a safety rule. Take everything you'll need upstairs beforehand: medication, charging cables, a change of clothes, travel documents, and on an overnight crossing whatever you need for sleeping too.
Book early, especially with a vehicle
On every Sardinia route, vehicle spaces sell out well before passenger spaces. During the Italian summer holidays that's already true months ahead. If you're flexible, weekday departures or a different mainland port are worth considering, choices range from Genoa and Livorno to Civitavecchia and Naples.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Common questions on this topic.
Do all Sardinia ferries carry motorhomes?+
Yes. Moby Lines, GNV, Grimaldi Lines, Tirrenia and Corsica Ferries carry motorhomes, caravans and trailer combinations on every route to Sardinia. The timetable shows which departures run on your travel date.
How is the price for a motorhome calculated?+
By length and height, including all fittings. Bike racks, roof boxes, awnings and tow bars all count. If you get it wrong, you either pay extra at the counter or, in the worst case, are turned away. Measure your vehicle yourself before booking rather than relying on the spec sheet.
Can I go into the motorhome during the crossing?+
No. The vehicle deck is closed for the entire crossing, on every operator and for safety reasons. Anything you need on the way, medication, charging cables, a change of clothes, travel documents, has to go up with you beforehand.
What are the rules for gas bottles?+
They can travel with you, but must be closed and secured before boarding. During the crossing, no gas or electric cooking or cooling is allowed inside the vehicle. Checks at check-in can include spot checks on this.
How early do I need to be at the port with a motorhome?+
Considerably earlier than on foot. On the Italian routes, operators generally ask for two hours before departure; Moby Lines states two hours for vehicles in Genoa and 90 minutes in Livorno. In peak season, allow extra time for the queue at the port entrance.
Can my dog travel too?+
Yes, on every Sardinia route, though the rules vary by operator, and your pet cannot stay in the vehicle during the crossing. Details are on Travelling with a dog on the ferry.