Ferry
Genoa
The ferries are the dreaded bottleneck of a Sardinia trip. Especially in the high season in July/August, all ships are completely booked.
While it is still possible to take a risk and travel to the ferry port without a ticket in the low season, this is strongly discouraged in the high season. The only thing that helps here is early booking.
The pricing of the individual companies varies greatly and is difficult to understand. There is really no other option than to decide on the date of the outward and return journey and then compare the individual offers.
With a bit of luck, you may be able to snatch up a special fare if you book in good time.
At DirectFerries you can view the crossings of the various ports and ferry companies and also book them online.
If you print out your ticket at home, make sure that the barcode is clearly visible.
Olbia
Especially for an overnight ferry passage, booking a cabin is recommended. Travelling in an armchair (poltrona) is cheaper, but it is not really comfortable.
Some passengers, especially young ones, sleep on deck in their own sleeping bags and also use the deck chairs set up for this purpose. It is important to remember that it can get very cold, damp and draughty on deck at night.
Others immediately occupy the corridors at the stairs with their air mattresses. So far this has been tolerated. However, it is questionable whether one can really calm down here.
The catering on the ships is usually of very good quality – with quite moderate prices. As a rule, you can choose between an on-board restaurant, a bar or self-service.
There is often a playroom for children and some ships also have a pool on deck, although this is only open on day passages.
The duration of the trip depends on the speed of the particular ship and the distance between the ports. For example, a trip from Genoa to Olbia takes 9-10 hours, from Civitavecchia it is only 4-7 hours.
Ports and ferry companies
As this was originally a German website, only connections that make sense for tourists from Central Europe are listed here.
The ports of Cagliari, Olbia, Porto Torres, Arbatax and Golfo Aranci are served from the Italian mainland.
Of course, it is an advantage if the port of arrival is close to your accommodation. Nevertheless, compare the different offers. Sometimes you can save a lot of money by taking a slightly longer trip across the island.
The following list of ferry companies is only an orientation, because the routes can change from year to year. Also, depending on the season, not all ports listed here are served.
A very good overview of the current connections of the individual companies, ports, departure times and sailing times can be found at Directferries.
Tirrenia
The fleet was replaced by new ships a few years ago. Tirrenia operates from Genoa as well as from Civitavecchia to Porto Torres, Olbia, Arbatax and Cagliari.
Moby Lines
Several special fares are offered and in some cases camping on board is also possible. The line sails from Genoa to Olbia and Porto Torres, and from Livorno and Piombino to Olbia.
Sardinia Ferries
Here, too, various special fares are offered. The ships sail from Livorno, Civitavecchia and Piombino to Golfo Aranci (near Olbia).
Grandi Navi Veloci
The ships are among the most comfortable ones, but the price is also somewhat higher than on the other lines. The company belongs to the Grimaldi Group and operates from Genoa to Olbia and Porto Torres.
Lloyd Sardegna SpA (Moby Lines)
The former Linea dei Golfi was taken over by Moby Lines and runs from Piombino to Olbia. The line should be particularly interesting for holidaymakers with motorhomes, as camping is also offered on board.
GoinSardinia (Flotta Gallura)
The company was founded in 2013 by the “Consorzio Operatori Turistici di Santa Teresa Gallura”.
A ship was chartered for the high season to offer tourists a low-cost crossing. 70% of the seats were reserved for those who had booked an accommodation of the consortium (hotel, holiday flat or camping site).
The remaining 30% of tickets could also be purchased without booked accommodation.
GoinSardinia operated from Livorno to Olbia and Arbatax in 2014. It is not yet clear whether connections will ever be offered again.
Saremar (Flotta Sarda)
This ferry company belongs to the region of Sardinia and mainly connects the offshore islands and Corsica with Sardinia. As of 2012, the lines were further expanded in order to offer a (mainly low-priced) alternative to the other companies.
Connections to the mainland were previously only available in the season between Civitavecchia and Olbia as well as Vado Ligure and Porto Torres. The use of additional ships and an expansion of the connections were planned for the coming years.
In the meantime, however, it has been announced that the region of Sardinia will no longer offer its own crossings to and from the mainland.
Tips for vehicle transport
Olbia, waiting for the ferry
Here, too, the rule is: book early! Tickets for cars and motorhomes are often the first to be allocated.
You need the following information to make a booking: Registration number, vehicle type (possibly also height, width, length). When specifying the dimensions, any overhangs such as jet boxes, surfboards, bicycles etc. must be added.
Depending on the ferry company and port, you must have checked in at least 2 – 3 hours before departure. Otherwise you may lose your right to transport. This requires some logistical planning when travelling to the port. Traffic jams and breaks should be generously calculated in. On the other hand, you don’t want to wait several hours in the port.
You should also plan for a longer wait at check-in. Sometimes check-in is not done centrally, but in the office of the individual company. You should enquire about this in good time.
For some years now, the list of transport conditions must be shown on request. You can obtain this from your ferry company or travel agency.
View of the port of Golfo Aranci
It is important that you follow all instructions given by the ship’s staff. Discussions are completely inappropriate here.
When entering and leaving the ship, do not be infected by the temperament of your fellow Italian passengers. A friendly smile and a “Let them in” are better than pushing and honking….
All fellow passengers except the driver must leave the car and board on foot. This rule is increasingly strictly enforced.
There is often a surcharge for roof loads. It is then worthwhile – after the passengers have left the car – to stow the luggage in the car in such a way that e.g. the bicycles from the roof still fit into the interior.
Everything you need on board should be ready to hand in the car. The cars will be parked so close that you will rarely be able to open the tailgate. The garages will be locked just before you leave, so you won’t be able to get anything out of the car for the entire journey.
Once you have parked your car, make sure you remember the location!
The garages are numbered, some are also colour-coded and the stairs to the garage all have their own identification such as “scala blu” (blue stairs) or “scala verde” (green stairs). However, these colours often only refer to the coloured signage. It is therefore possible that the “green staircase”, for example, has blue steps – so pay close attention here!