Ferry from Patras to Italy
Tickets, prices & schedulesYou can travel by ferry from Patras to Italy all year round, with connections to Ancona, Bari and Venice operated by Superfast Ferries. These overnight crossings use conventional cruise ferries, with frequency varying by destination and season. The ferry trip takes as little as 16.5 hr and one-way deck tickets start at around € 56, depending on your destination and travel date.
Find up-to-date info, compare timetables, companies and prices for 2027, and book your ferry tickets on Ferryhopper without hidden fees.
Discounts
When traveling from Patras to Italy by ferry, you can take advantage of the fixed discounts available to specific passenger categories. Typically, you can expect lower ferry ticket prices for:
- Infants and toddlers up to 3 years old
- Children up to 12 years old
- Young travelers under 26 and European Youth cardholders
- ISIC card holders
- Senior passengers (60+)
Discounts are also available to loyalty club members.
On-board services and amenities
Superfast Ferries operates the routes from Patras to Italy with a fleet of conventional cruise ferries, such as the Superfast II, Superfast III and Superfast V. These vessels are designed for long-distance travel and feature plenty of dining, shopping and entertainment facilities for the overnight crossing, such as:
- Air-conditioned indoor lounges to relax during the journey
- Restaurants and café-bars for meals, snacks and drinks
- Shops and kiosks selling travel essentials, clothing, cosmetics and gifts
- Onboard entertainment including children’s playrooms, arcade games, digital content, and casino games for adults, with additional facilities depending on the ship
- Wi-Fi, with internet packages available for purchase
Accessibility
The Patras to Italy ferries are generally accessible to travellers with disabilities, featuring ramps and elevators between decks, accessible seating areas and amenities in common areas, and adapted cabins for passengers with disabilities.
Superfast Ferries offers boarding assistance upon request and at least 48 hr prior notification to the ferry company before your journey.
Note: accessibility features vary from vessel to vessel, so contact the ferry company for further details.
Cabins and accommodation
What cabins are available on the ferry?
You can book a cabin for up to 4 passengers, and depending on the route and vessel, you can generally choose between:
- Standard interior cabins
- Exterior cabins (with a sea view)
- Deluxe suites (with double bed, breakfast, and sea view)
- Cabins for passengers with disabilities
- Pet-friendly cabins
- Shared cabins
Some ferries, such as the Superfast III, Superfast IV and Superfast XI also have cabins with a hypoallergenic air-conditioning system.
All cabins feature air conditioning, a wardrobe and an ensuite bathroom.
Prices start at about €290 for a private cabin and around €135 for a bed in a shared cabin, depending on the route.
Can I book a numbered seat?
Yes, airplane-style reclining seats are available as a separate accommodation category. A standard deck/lounge ticket gives you access to the ship’s public passenger areas and does not include an assigned reclining seat.
Luggage
With Superfast Ferries, you are allowed as many bags as you can carry on board by yourself, with no size or weight restrictions.
Traveling with pets
Pets are generally allowed on Patras to Italy ferries, provided you include them in your booking.
Make sure you bring along your pet’s health and travel documents, including passport, microchip ID and valid rabies vaccination, as well as tickets and pet supplies you may need for the trip.
Where do pets stay on the ferry?
When traveling with Superfast Ferries, your pet can stay with you, in the onboard kennels, or you can book a pet-friendly cabin. Prices for kennels are usually €20, while pet-friendly cabins cost from around €340.
The ferries have designated walking areas, however pets are generally not allowed in standard cabins, lounges or dining areas. When outside of their accommodation, smaller pets must be kept in a suitable carrier, while larger pets must wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash.
Useful tips for your ferry trip to Italy from Patras
Here are some useful tips for your ferry trip from Patras to Italy:
- The port of Patras can get very busy, so it’s best to be there at least 3 hr in advance, especially if you’re traveling with a vehicle.
- The Adriatic Sea can get a bit choppy, so if you are sensitive to the waves, consider taking seasickness medication for the trip. As always, you can discuss your options with your pharmacist or doctor.
- When planning your ferry trip, keep in mind that there's a 1-hr time difference between Greece and Italy.
- Book return tickets on the Italy - Patras ferry well in advance, as cabins and car deck spaces are limited. You can find more details on all ferry travel options for your return trip on our dedicated page on Italy-Greece ferries.
- From Patras, you can also travel by ferry to the Greek islands of Kefalonia and Ithaca. For more details on all ferry routes, companies and ticket prices, check out the Patras ferry schedules.
Where to take the ferry from Patras to Italy
Ferries to Italy usually depart from the South Port of Patras (also known as the New Port), which is on the southern side of the city. The port is about 2.5 km from the center of Patras and around 45 km from Araxos Airport (GPA).
At the port, you’ll find passenger terminals, ticket offices, waiting areas, and nearby there are also find cafés, restaurants, shops, and other useful travel amenities.
How to get to the port of Patras?
- By car: the port is easily accessible via the Olympia Odos highway (A8), simply follow signs for Patras Port or New Port. The drive to Patras from Athens takes 2.5-3 hr and around 40-50 min from Araxos Airport.
- By bus: there are several daily Intercity KTEL bus services from Athens to Patras, taking around 3 hr. The KTEL bus station in Patras is a short bus or drive from the port. City bus 118 connects the South Port with the Achaia intercity KTEL bus station.
- By taxi: taxis are readily available throughout the city, with a ride from central Patras to the port usually taking less than 10 min.
Check-in and boarding at Patras
For your ferry to Italy, head to the South (New) Port of Patras, accessed through Gate A. Superfast Ferries requires both foot passengers and passengers with vehicles to reach the embarkation area at least 3 hr before departure, but allow additional time during busy periods.
- Foot passengers: follow your booking instructions for ticket collection and document checks, then proceed to the assigned boarding area. Keep your boarding pass, valid travel document and any proof of a discounted fare ready.
- Passengers with vehicles: have your vehicle registration document ready alongside your tickets and travel documents, and follow staff directions to the vehicle boarding lanes.
Where does the ferry arrive in Italy?
Ferries from Patras arrive at Ancona, Bari or Venice’s Fusina terminal, depending on your booking.
- Ancona: ferries arrive at the port of Ancona, on the Adriatic coast of the Marche region. The port sits alongside the city center and historic waterfront, making it a convenient arrival point if you’re staying in Ancona before continuing your journey. The ferry boarding quays and the separate ticketing terminal are different locations within the port.
- Bari: ferries dock at the port of Bari in Puglia. The port occupies a large waterfront area beside Bari Vecchia, the historic quarter, while the modern city center extends farther inland toward Bari Centrale railway station.
- Venice (Fusina): ferries arrive at Fusina Ferry Terminal on Via dell’Elettronica, in the mainland port area southwest of Venice’s historic center. You’ll disembark in a working ferry terminal, with a separate onward journey needed to reach the canals, central Venice or the railway stations. The Adriatic ferry terminal is separate from the local Fusina boat pier on Via Moranzani, where services depart for Zattere.
Onward travel from the ports in Italy
From Ancona
- By public transport: local buses connect the port area with Ancona Centrale railway station for onward train journeys.
- By taxi: continue directly to the station, your accommodation or Marche Airport.
- By car: follow the signed port exit toward the motorway network for destinations north or south.
From Bari
- By public transport: AMTAB’s route 50 links the port area with Bari Centrale railway station.
- By taxi: travel directly to Bari Centrale, your accommodation or Bari Airport.
- By car: follow the port exit signs toward the city’s main roads and your onward destination.
From Venice (Fusina)
- By boat: services from the separate local Fusina pier on Via Moranzani reach Zattere in about 25-30 min. Allow additional time to transfer from the Adriatic ferry terminal to the pier and wait for the boat.
- By public transport: ACTV bus 16 connects the Fusina area with Mestre/Marghera.
- By car: follow the mainland road network toward your destination. If you’re visiting Venice, you can park at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto and continue on foot or by water transport.
How long is the ferry ride from Patras to Italy?
The duration of the Patras - Italy ferry trip normally ranges from 16 hr 30 min to 33 hr, depending on the route and vessel. Here are indicative travel times for each route:
- Patras - Ancona: from 19 hr to 27 hr
- Patras - Bari: from 16 hr 30 min to 18 hr
- Patras - Venice: from 32 hr 30 min to 33 hr
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FAQs
Choose between Bari, Ancona and Venice based on your final destination and how much time you want to spend at sea:
- Patras - Bari: choose this route for Puglia or southern Italy, or if you prefer the shortest crossing of the three. If you’re heading farther north, factor in the additional driving or train journey.
- Patras - Ancona: a practical choice for Marche and central Italy, balancing time at sea with onward travel. Allow time to reach the railway station or motorway after disembarking.
- Patras - Venice: consider this route for Veneto or northeastern Italy, especially when bringing your vehicle. The longer crossing can involve 2 nights on board, and ferries arrive at Fusina on the mainland, requiring a further transfer to Venice’s historic center.
Without a vehicle, compare arrival times with onward train and bus connections. With a car, consider the total ferry fare, driving distance and road costs to your final destination.
When traveling from Patras to Italy by ferry, you will need the following:
- EU/Schengen citizens: you can travel with a national ID card or a valid passport.
- Non-EU citizens: you must bring a valid passport, and depending on your nationality, you may also need a visa.
If you’re travelling with a vehicle, make sure you bring your driver’s licence, as well as vehicle registration and insurance documents.
Yes, the ferries serving the Patras - Italy routes have car decks for transporting vehicles. The exact cost depends on the vehicle type, route, and travel dates.
Prices start at around €113 to transport a car, €36 for a motorbike and €151 for a camper van.
Make sure you bring your driver’s license, as well as your vehicle registration and insurance documents.
Can I bring an electric or alternative-fuel vehicle?
Yes, but declare the vehicle’s fuel type when booking and follow Superfast Ferries’ requirements:
- Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles: battery charge should not exceed 40%.
- LPG or natural-gas vehicles: fuel tanks should not exceed 50% of their capacity.
If your vehicle displays an alarm during the crossing, notify the crew immediately.
Note: you cannot access the car decks during the voyage, so keep everything you need for the crossing with you before leaving your vehicle.
No, the Patras to Italy ferry routes are only served by conventional ferries. The fastest ferry completes the journey from Patras to Bari in 16.5 hr.
The distance between Patras and Italy depends on your destination. The sailing distances for each route are as follows:
- Patras - Ancona: around 491 nautical miles (about 911 km).
- Patras - Bari: about 295 nautical miles (around 546 km)
- Patras - Venice: approximately 692 nautical miles (about 1,282 km)
Yes, the ferries from Patras to Italy typically travel overnight. The number of nights on board depends on your destination and departure:
- Bari: afternoon departures typically arrive the following morning, with 1 night on board.
- Ancona: crossings generally include 1 night on board, with arrival the following day.
- Venice: the longer crossing can include 2 nights on board, depending on the departure time. For example, a late Monday departure may arrive on Wednesday morning.
You can book a cabin for a bed and greater privacy, or choose a numbered reclining seat.
With Superfast Ferries, you can book your Patras - Italy ferry tickets online on Ferryhopper and pick them up in paper form from the company’s collection points at the port before the trip.
Find detailed answers to all your questions about ferry ticket changes, cancellations and refunds.
Remember that you can also use Ferryhopper's online booking modification service, available with certain ferry companies.
If your ferry trip is canceled, you usually have the following options:
- Change your ticket to another departure of equal value.
- Cancel your ticket with a request sent to the ferry operator for a full refund.
Find out more about what you can do in case of weather disruption or ferry strike.
If you’re worried about possible delays or cancellations, you can always visit our ferry travel alerts page for real-time updates on strikes, weather disruptions, and service suspensions.