Ferry from Italy to Sardinia

Ferry companies operating between Italy and Sardinia offer special discounts to certain passengers. Children under 3 years old usually travel for free, and those between 4 and 11 years old receive reduced fares, depending on the operator.

Sardinian residents also receive discounts by entering their ID or passport number when booking their ferry on Ferryhopper.

Remember to bring a document proving your Sardinian residence and be prepared to display it when boarding the ferry.

Keep in mind that discounts may vary slightly between companies.

Wondering where in Italy you can catch a ferry to Sardinia? You’ll be glad to know that ferries depart from numerous ports along the western Italian coast.

Whether you’re on a road trip through Tuscany, exploring the ancient sites of Rome, or planning a pit stop in the Gulf of Naples, a nearby port will be ready and waiting to whisk you away to Sardinia!

Ferries from Northern Italy to Sardinia

If you’re planning a trip to Liguria or Tuscany, the ports along Italy's northwestern coast are convenient departure points. Ferries bound for northern Sardinia leave from Livorno and Genoa, and seasonally also from Piombino. Livorno is easily reached from nearby cities like Florence and Pisa, while Genoa is a convenient port if you're visiting the Cinque Terre area.

Here are the main ferry routes from northern Italy to Sardinia:

Livorno to Sardinia ferry

• Livorno to Olbia: Moby Lines and Grimaldi Lines offer multiple departures per day, year-round. Trips take between 8 and 9 hours.
• Livorno to Golfo Aranci: Weekly crossings operated by Corsica Ferries that average 7 hours.

Genoa to Sardinia ferry

• Genoa to Olbia: GNV, Moby Lines and Tirrenia provide several crossings per week that take around 9-11 hours.
• Genoa to Porto Torres: Tirrenia and GNV ferries depart at least once a day, year-round, and take around 11 hours to reach Sardinia.

Piombino to Sardinia ferry

• Piombino - Olbia: Moby Lines provides summer crossings to Olbia from Piombino during the month of August. This is the quickest way to get to Sardinia, with a journey time of 5 hr 30 min.

Tip: There are occasional departures from Savona, a great alternative to Genoa, as it's only 40 km away by car. Corsica Ferries serves the Savona - Porto Torres during the month of September, with a trip duration of around 15 hours.

How to get to Sardinia from Central Italy 

After exploring Rome’s ancient archaeological sites and Renaissance architecture, why not spend the rest of your vacation resting and relaxing by Sardinia’s shimmering turquoise sea?

Just 1 hour by train from Rome, the port of Civitavecchia offers ferry connections to Sardinia’s northern coast, including Olbia and Porto Torres, as well as its eastern city of Arbatax and southern capital, Cagliari.

Rome (Civitavecchia) to Sardinia ferry

• Civitavecchia - Olbia: Operated by Tirrenia and Grimaldi Lines, this route is available year-round, with crossings lasting around 7-8 hours.
• Civitavecchia - Porto Torres: Ferries to Porto Torres are available weekly every month of the year. Grimaldi Lines ferries take 7-8 hours to complete the journey.
• Civitavecchia - Cagliari: Grimaldi Lines offers up to 3 departures a week to southern Sardinia, with a journey time of around 15 hours.
• Civitavecchia - Arbatax: Ferries to Arbatax leave twice a week and take 9-10 hours to reach the eastern coast of Sardinia.

Reaching Sardinia from Southern Italy

After exploring Naples’ bustling streets, wandering through Pompeii’s ancient ruins and enjoying the Amalfi Coast, add another adventure to your trip with a visit to Sardinia!

Grimaldi Lines offers departures from Naples to Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital and main city in the south, 3-4 times a week. The journey takes around 14-15 hours.

Useful info: Ferries also connect Sardinia to Sicily, its neighboring island in southern Italy. Palermo to Cagliari ferries take 12 hours and are also operated year-round by Grimaldi Lines.

Where do ferries arrive in Sardinia?

You can reach 6 ports in Sardinia from mainland Italy: Olbia, Porto Torres, Golfo Aranci, Arbatax and Cagliari.

Here’s more info on each port:

• Olbia: Located on the northeastern coast of Sardinia, Olbia is one of the island's main ports. It's just minutes from the city center and approximately 15 km from Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport. You can reach Olbia from Livorno, Genoa, Civitavecchia (Rome) and Piombino.
• Porto Torres: A popular arrival point for those planning to visit Sardinia’s northwestern coast, including La Pelosa Beach and the Asinara National Park. You can reach Porto Torres from Genoa, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Savona.
• Golfo Aranci: Facing the northeastern coast of Sardinia, Golfo Aranci is a quieter alternative to the nearby city of Olbia, which is only 20 km away. You can reach Golfo Aranci from Livorno.
• Arbatax: Located on Sardinia’s eastern coast in the picturesque Ogliastra region, Arbatax can be reached from Civitavecchia (Rome). The port is close to the town center and just a short walk from the bus stop linking to nearby Tortolì. From Arbatax, you can also organize a boat trip to explore the stunning coves of the Gulf of Orosei.
• Cagliari: The capital of Sardinia is one of the most popular destinations in Sardinia, especially for those wanting to explore the island’s southern coast. The port is connected year-round to Rome, Naples and Sicily.

Tip: Take a look at our guide on the ports of Sardinia for more info on the places you can reach from by ferry from mainland Italy!

Ferries from Italy to Sardinia offer a variety of services to ensure a comfortable journey, whether you’re traveling during the day or night. Moby Lines, Tirrenia, Grimaldi Lines, Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) and Corsica Ferries offer the following services:

• Restaurants, self-service cafeterias, and bars, where you can enjoy meals, snacks, and drinks
• Lounges and outdoor decks where you can enjoy the views of the Tyrrhenian Sea
• Different types of cabins and reclining seats for added comfort
• Children’s play areas to keep the little ones entertained
• Shops for any last-minute purchases

All ferries also have car decks, air conditioning and luggage storage.

Wi-Fi access

Most ferries from Italy to Sardinia provide internet access. Depending on the vessel, you’ll usually find Wi-Fi packages available for purchase on board or free options.

Cabins and accommodation

You can choose between different types of cabins on ferries from Italy to Sardinia: internal, external with windows, suites and cabins for passengers with disabilities.

Here are some indicative cabin prices:

• 1-bed cabin: starting at around €90
• 2-bed cabin: starting at around €100
• 3-bed cabin: starting at around €120
• 4-bed cabin: starting at around €130

The available amenities depend on the type of cabin and company. For example, suites usually come with double beds, private bathrooms, air conditioning, TVs, minibars, and sometimes a complimentary breakfast.

As an alternative, you can book a reclining airplane-style seat for an additional fee, or a deck-lounge seat, which is included in the ticket price.

Luggage

Each operator has its own luggage policy on the Italy - Sardinia routes:

• GNV: Up to 2 pieces of luggage per passenger for free
• Tirrenia: 1 piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 20 kg
• Grimaldi Lines: 1 piece of luggage up to 30 kg free of charge
• Moby Lines: luggage limits are flexible but larger items should be stored in designated spaces
• Corsica Ferries: 1 hand luggage with maximum dimensions of 200x100x50 cm free of charge

Traveling with pets

You can travel with your furry friend on ferries to Sardinia from the Italian mainland. Simply include your pet in your online booking and pay a small additional fee, usually around €10-15.

Small pets must travel in their own carrier or cage. Larger pets need to wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash. Some vessels also offer the option to book a pet-friendly cabin.

Make sure you travel with the appropriate documents, health certificates, and necessary accessories, and follow any rules specific to the operator you are traveling with.

Here’s some helpful tips for your ferry trip from Italy to Sardinia:

• Aim to arrive at your port at least 1 hour before departure, especially if you’re traveling in the summer or with a vehicle.
• We recommend booking your ferry tickets early, as tickets for cabins and vehicles can sell out quickly, especially during the high season.
• Sardinia is the second-biggest island in the Mediterranean and distances can be longer than anticipated, so plan your travel time accordingly.
• If you choose not to travel with your vehicle, you can easily reach your departure port on the Italian mainland via public transportation.
• Add our Sardinia travel guide to your reading list to learn more about this splendid island!
• On Ferryhopper you can find all ferry schedules to Sardinia, as well as updated prices, ongoing offers and port info!
• Once in Sardinia, you can also reach the nearby islands of Sicily and Corsica. Check out the Cagliari - Palermo and Sardinia - Corsica ferry routes pages for more info.
• Remember to also book your return tickets in advance for a hassle-free trip!
• Explore our interactive ferry map to find all the ferry routes to Sardinia and beyond!