Cagliari - Palermo
Ferry to Sicily
Cagliari - Palermo
Ferry to Sicily
Fares for the Cagliari to Palermo crossing usually range somewhere between $78* and $748*. Most travellers pay around $389* for a Cagliari Palermo ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $78*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $176* on average. Bringing a car along typically brings the average fare up to $490*.
Fares vary according to passenger count, vehicle type, the route itself and what time you sail. Figures come from fares searched in the previous 30 days, don't include service fees, and were last checked September 26.
There's a quick way to stack up ferry fares and operators from around the world side by side, so you can pick the crossing that best suits you. Getting in early tends to open up the widest choice of prices and sailing times.
Direct Ferries has discounts running throughout the year. Where a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied the moment you pick the matching age bracket in the passenger section of your search.
If you're a student or recent graduate, a 5% discount is up for grabs. Head to our partner Student Beans to confirm your status and you'll receive a code to enter at checkout.
A handful of Spanish and Italian ferry routes also offer a resident discount — choose the "Residents" option if it appears during your search and the lower fare is applied straight away. You'll usually need to show proof of address, like a residency card or certificate, when you check in.
Cagliari Palermo sailings generally depart at around 17:00.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Cagliari and Palermo is better suited to a weekend away or an extended stay, so you get proper value out of the journey.
Yes, Grimaldi Lines carries vehicles on the Cagliari to Palermo route. Check our Deal Finder for up-to-date car ferry pricing on this crossing.
Whether a caravan or campervan is welcome on board the Cagliari to Palermo ferry comes down to the ship and operator running the sailing. Pop your travel details into our Deal Finder, and we'll check the operators on this route for you.
Yes, Grimaldi Lines takes bicycles on the Cagliari to Palermo crossing. Most operators are happy to carry bikes, but it's always worth confirming their exact policy before you turn up at the terminal.
Yes, Grimaldi Lines carries foot passengers between Cagliari and Palermo.
Pets aren't currently permitted on ferries between Cagliari and Palermo. Our Deal Finder can help you find a nearby route that does allow them.
Guide dogs and assistance dogs are often treated differently to general pets, even on routes where pets aren't allowed. Contact our customer service team to find out what's possible on your sailing, or check our Special Assistance Help page for more information.
Whether the Cagliari to Palermo route has an overnight sailing depends on a mix of factors. Search with your travel dates, and we'll show you whether an overnight option exists, plus current timetables, crossing times and daytime alternatives.
Note that overnight sailings can occasionally take a bit longer than daytime crossings.
What you'll need to travel varies by route, so it pays to check ahead of your sailing. A valid passport is typically required for the Cagliari to Palermo crossing, along with any visa or national ID required for your nationality. As rules depend on both where you're from and where you're headed, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is worth a read to avoid any hold-ups at check-in.
Booking couldn't be simpler — select your departure port, arrival port and travel date to see everything on offer. From there, you can weigh up alternative routes and departure times to land on the best fit.
Look for early-booking deals and flexible fare types, like upgrades or flexi-tickets, which give you room to change plans later. Double-check details such as passenger numbers and vehicle specs as you go, to keep the booking process painless.
You'll get a confirmation email the moment your booking goes through. From there, how your boarding pass turns up depends on the operator.
Some operators send the boarding pass straight away, while others want you to check in at the port. Where it's on offer, online check-in through the Direct Ferries app can save you time at the terminal.
Ticket desks tend to sit right by the ferry terminal. Building in some extra time before you sail means you won't be rushed collecting tickets and getting checked in.
Have your confirmation email and valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — ready at check-in. If a pet's travelling with you, bring their vaccination and insurance papers, and hold onto proof of address if you booked with a resident discount.
A gap in sailings from Cagliari to Palermo on your chosen date usually comes down to something like a timetable adjustment, limited space, or a seasonal dip in service. Try a different date, or browse other options with our Route & Port finder.
Generally speaking, booking your Cagliari to Palermo ferry sooner rather than later pays off — earlier bookings usually mean lower fares and more choice of departure times and cabins.
A few weeks' lead time is usually enough to catch a good deal, though fares can still move around depending on the season and what's left available.
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| Cagliari - Palermo Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $176 | |
| Average Price with Car | $490 | |
| Average Price with Motorbike | $266 | |
| Average Campervan Price | $712 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $545 | |
| Cagliari - Palermo Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sardinia |
| Destination | Sicily |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Grimaldi Lines |
| Average Price | $389 |
| Average Pet Price | $729 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 1 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 12 h |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 12 h |
| First Ferry | 17:00 |
| Last Ferry | 17:00 |
| Distance | 263 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
The Sardinian capital city of Cagliari lies on the Mediterranean Sea coast and is regarded as one of the greenest Italian cities as it has a number of public gardens that visitors are able to enjoy. The most wooded site in the city is the 62 acre Monte Urpinu Park and is located on a low hill that is covered in pine and evergreen oak. Also in the city is the Park of San Michele, along with its medieval castle, and the Terramaini Park that has a pond which is home to flamingos and other wading birds.
The city can trace its history back to prehistoric times and has at various points in its past been under the rule of several civilisations. Of interest to many visitors to the city are the prehistoric Domus de Janas, which are prehistoric chamber tombs that date back to between 3,400 and 2,700 BC. There is also a Roman amphitheatre, three Pisan-era towers, a large Carthaginian era necropolis and a Byzantine basilica.
The port of Cagliari is divided in two sector, the old port and the new international container terminal. The port has scheduled services by passenger ship to Civitavecchia, Naples, Palermo and Trapani.
The city of Palermo is located on the Italian island of Sicily and lies on the island's north west coast and has a large and strategically important natural port, next to the Monte Pellegrino. The city is typically Mediterranean and can trace its history back to the 8th century and is today known for its Norman buildings, fabulous palaces and the hustle and bustle of its markets. Palermo's historic centre is the Quattro Canti district, which means 'Four Corners' and is where a number of the city's most spectacular attractions can be found. These include the Royal Palace and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. The cathedral's sheer size and lovely architecture really needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. Also popular in the city is the medieval Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi and the 12th century Castello della Zisa. For visitors who enjoy the performing arts there is also the Teatro Massimo which is a recently refurbished theatre that puts on regular performances.
Ferries from the city's port depart to Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples and Tunisia.
