Ferry from Tunis to Palermo
Tickets, prices & schedulesFerries from Tunis in Tunisia to Palermo in Sicily, Italy operate year-round. The route is served by Grimaldi Lines and GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci). There are usually 2-3 sailings per week, with crossing times ranging between 8.5 and 13 hr. Ticket prices start from around €30.
Find up-to-date info, compare schedules and prices, and book your ferry Tunis - Palermo tickets on Ferryhopper with no hidden fees.
Discounts
On the ferry Tunisia - Sicily:
- Children up to 2 years old travel for free
- Children up to 11 years old get 50% off
- Young passengers up to 26 years old may receive a 20% discount
On-board services and amenities
The ferry Tunis - Palermo connection is usually served by Grimaldi Lines and GNV with large open-deck ferries that offer a wide range of services, including:
- Bars and cafés
- Shops
- Children’s play areas
- TV lounges
- Outdoor decks
On-board restaurants serve both Western cuisine and halal dishes. Some ferries also feature chapels and prayer rooms.
Cabins and accommodation
The ferry Tunis - Palermo journey is pretty long, so several accommodation options are available:
- Deck passage: no assigned seat, but access to all common areas
- Reclining seats: numbered, air-conditioned seating (available for an extra fee)
- Private cabins: double, triple, or quadruple cabins, inside or sea-view cabins, suites, accessible cabins for passengers with disabilities
Cabin prices vary by type and season, but usually start from around €60.
Luggage
Each ferry company has its own luggage policy:
- The ferry company Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) allows each passenger to board with up to 2 pieces of luggage, without restrictions regarding size and weight. Luggage storage areas are available on board and accessible throughout the journey.
- With Grimaldi Lines, passengers traveling with deck passage, seat or cabin can bring 1 piece of luggage up to 56×45×25 cm and a small personal item (handbag or backpack). Extra luggage is subject to an additional fee.
Traveling with pets
You can travel with your pet on the ferry Tunisia - Sicily, as long as you include it in your booking and pay a fee. Small pets must stay in their carrier, while dogs must wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash. You can also book a pet-friendly cabin or use the on-board kennels.
Make sure to bring along the necessary health certificates and any equipment and supplies (food and water bowls, muzzle, leash, hygiene bags) you may need for your pet during the trip.
Useful tips for your ferry trip to Palermo from Tunis
Here are some travel tips for your ferry Tunis - Palermo trip:
- We recommend that you arrive at the port of Tunis at least 1.5 hr before departure, especially if traveling with a vehicle.
- A passport valid for at least 90 days is required to travel between Tunisia and Italy (ID cards are not accepted).
- Since the crossing is quite long, booking a cabin is highly recommended for maximum comfort.
- If you plan to stay several days in Palermo, you should take advantage of the summer ferry connections to the Aeolian Islands. Choose your favorite island and discover the wonderful Aeolian archipelago.
- For additional details on ferry routes and island connections, visit our dedicated page on ferries to Sicily!
- From Tunis, ferries also operate to Civitavecchia, Genoa and Salerno.
- Book your return ferry from Palermo to Tunis in advance for a stress-free trip.
Where to take the ferry from Tunis to Palermo
Ferries to Palermo depart from the La Goulette - South docks, dedicated to routes to and from Italy.
You can reach the port by car (following signs for “Port de la Goulette”), or by train or bus. Stops are located near the ferry terminals.
Where does the ferry arrive in Palermo?
Ferries from Tunis arrive at Molo Piave in the port of Palermo. The port is about 3 km from Palermo’s main train station and can easily be reached on foot.
How long is the ferry ride from Tunis to Palermo?
The duration of the ferry Tunis - Palermo trip normally ranges between 8.5 hr to 13 hr, depending on the vessel.
Tunis - Palermo ferry companies
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FAQs
Yes, all vessels on the ferry Tunisia - Sicily route have vehicle decks. You can bring cars, motorcycles, camper vans, and caravans. Just add your vehicle to your booking and pay the relevant supplement.
Indicative prices start from:
- Car: around €25
- Motorcycle: around €15
- Camper van: around €35
- Bicycle: free of charge
We recommend booking early, especially in high season, as vehicle spaces are limited and sell out quickly.
No. The ferry Tunis - Palermo route is served only by conventional ferries. The fastest crossing takes about 8.5 hr.
The distance between the ports of Tunis and Palermo is 231 nautical miles (about 428 km).
Yes. There are both daytime and evening sailings. Overnight ferries usually depart between midnight and 03:00 and arrive in Palermo the following day around 14:00.
With Grimaldi Lines and GNV, you can book your ferry Tunis - Palermo 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.