Ferries are a popular mode of transport in Sardinia, especially for travellers with their own car. But of course you can also use the boats as a pedestrian traveller without a car.
How much do tickets cost for each route? What companies sail to Sardinia and how long does the cruise take? Read in this chapter.
Where to buy a ferry ticket?
When travelling to Sardinia you will use many companies running different routes. The easiest way to compare them all is to use the search engine directferries.com, where you can buy your ticket directly.
We recommend buying online, especially when travelling by car in the summer, when last-minute sales may be out of stock.
Sardinia is mostly served by Moby, Grimaldi Lines, Tirrenia, GNV, Corsica Ferries and Ichnusa Lines.
How much do ferries to Sardinia cost?
Prices for ferries vary according to the specific route, but also according to the time of booking. Boat tickets work a bit like airline tickets, and as availability increases, so do prices.
On average, the cheapest ferry to Sardinia is from the Italian ports of Livorno and Civitavecchia. A trip with a car and 1 passenger works out roughly between 45 eur and 150 eur depending on dates, availability and company. Each additional passenger is already cheaper and costs between 15 eur and 20 eur. Prices are quoted as one way, but no discounts are given for return cruises.
One-way tickets for single passengers cost from 30 eur. In addition, you can pay extra for a stay in a sleeper cabin from 30 eur in 4 berth cabins to 150 eur in deluxe single cabins.
The price from French ports is higher and for a car with 1 passenger starts at 120 eur.
However, the amounts are very approximate and vary by up to 100% depending on the specific itinerary, company, dates and availability.
How long does the ferry to Sardinia take?
The shortest route is from Corsica (about 50 minutes), but most travellers sail from the mainland.
Sailing times vary not only by route, but also by boat type and speed. In particular, some overnight services run deliberately slower to give passengers enough time to rest and to accommodate decent departure and arrival times.
The fastest routes run from Italy to Olbia, where the ferry takes between 6.5 and 9 hours. From France, it takes between 13 and 20 hours.
How does it work on the ferry?
Are you about to embark on your first trip to Sardinia on a large ferry? How does it work on these boats?
If you're travelling by car, check-in is usually 90 minutes before departure, when you drive to the large marshalling yards at the port. Through the drive-in ticket office you pay for your ticket or show your ticket purchased online.
You will then board the ferry at the direction of the staff. Everything is very clear and well organised. Parking in the bowels and boarding it can be compared to parking in an overhead garage.
If you are travelling on foot, just register 30 minutes before departure at the ticket office.
On the ship, you leave your car behind and are free to move around all the passenger areas. If you don't pay for a stateroom, there are comfortable seats scattered throughout the ship. You can also take advantage of the seating in the dining rooms, even if you don't order anything.
Especially in the summer, many travelers take their own air mattresses on the ship and sleep on the open-air decks.
Sleeper cabins for 1 to 6 people with showers are always available. However, you have to pay extra for these and they cost from 30 to 120 eur depending on the level of luxury.
The ferries always have restaurants, small grocery stores, sometimes casinos, bars or stages for any performances. Payment can be made in cash in euros or by credit card.
Which routes are used?
See the list of Sardinian boat routes. Prices are indicative and we list the lowest available amounts for which a ticket can be purchased. The price is for 1 car with 1 driver. Each additional passenger will increase the price from 20 eur to 30 eur.
From mainland Italy
- Livorno - Olbia: from 45 eur, the cruise takes about 9 hours and sails 4-5 times a day
- Civitavecchia - Olbia: from 55 eur, the cruise takes 6.5-7.5 hours and sails 1-3 times a day
- Genoa - Olbia: from 75 eur, the cruise lasts 10 to 11 hours and sails 2-4 times a day
- Piombino - Olbia: from 60 eur, the cruise lasts about 5.5 hours and sails 3-4 times a week
- Livorno - Golfo Aranci: from 60 eur, the cruise lasts about 9.5 hours and sails twice a day
- Civitavecchia - Porto Torres: from 50 eur, the cruise lasts 7.5 hours and sails 2-3 times a week
- Genoa - Porto Torres: from 90 eur, the cruise lasts 10 to 11 hours and sails 2-3 times a day
- Civitavecchia - Cagliari: from 150 eur, the cruise lasts 13 hours and sails 2 times a week
- Naples - Cagliari: from 150 eur, the cruise lasts 13 hours and sails 3-4 times a week
- Civitavecchia - Arbatax: from 120 eur, the cruise lasts 9 hours and sails 2-3 times a week
- Compare and buy ferries from Italy
From mainland France
- Toulon - Porto Torres: from 105 eur, sailing 11 hours and 3-4 times a week
- Nice - Porto Torres: from 105 eur, sailing 11 hours and 3-4 times a week
- Compare and buy ferries from France
From Sicily
- Palermo - Cagliari: from 150 eur, the cruise lasts 12 hours and sails 1x a week
- Compare and buy ferries from Sicily
From Corsica
- Bonifacio - Santa Teresa Gallura: from 70 eur (for pedestrians from 30 eur), the cruise lasts 1 hour and sails about 5-7 times a day
- Bastia - Golfo Aranci: from 75 eur, the cruise takes 7.5 hours and sails irregularly about 2-4 times a month
- Compare and buy ferries from Corsica
From Spain
- Barcelona - Porto Torres: from 75 eur, sailing time 12.5 hours and 2-3 times a week
- Compare and buy ferries from Spain
Hello, we are taking the overnight ferry from Livorno to Olbia on 17 September. I was wondering if it is possible to board and drive earlier than 90min before departure, since the big ships Legacy and Fantasy now run once a day? Thank you for the answer.