Cavo - Portoferraio
Ferry to Elba
Cavo - Portoferraio
Ferry to Elba
Fares for the Cavo to Portoferraio crossing usually range somewhere between $33* and $151*. Most travellers pay around $145* for a Cavo Portoferraio ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $33*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $145* on average.
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.
Sailings on the Cavo Portoferraio route generally kick off from Cavo at around 09:00, and the last departure of the day is usually around 19:25.
You certainly can — with a short crossing and sailings running daily, Cavo to Portoferraio is an easy day trip. Taking a vehicle, where possible, gives you the freedom to explore a bit further once you land.
Yes, Toremar carries vehicles on the Cavo to Portoferraio 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 Cavo to Portoferraio 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, Toremar takes bicycles on the Cavo to Portoferraio 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, Toremar carries foot passengers between Cavo and Portoferraio.
Pets aren't currently permitted on ferries between Cavo and Portoferraio. 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 Cavo to Portoferraio 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 Cavo to Portoferraio 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 Cavo to Portoferraio 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 Cavo to Portoferraio 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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| Cavo - Portoferraio Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $145 | |
| Cavo - Portoferraio Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Elba |
| Destination | Elba |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Toremar |
| Average Price | $145 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 3 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 20 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 20 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 20 m |
| First Ferry | 09:00 |
| Last Ferry | 19:25 |
| Distance | 7 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
Located on the Italian island of Elba, Cavo is a town and port that lies on the island's Mediterranean Sea coast. Elba is the largest of the Tuscan Archipelago islands and forms a part of the Archipelago Toscano National Park. Elba is also the third largest Italian island after Sicily and Sardinia.
The island is renowned for its crystal clear waters, beautiful beaches and its wonderful landscape on both land and sea. The island is definitely a must see destination for any visitors to Tuscany. For visitors who want to do more than relax on one of the island's beaches, then the island is the perfect destination for scuba diving or snorkelling thanks to its rich waters teeming with many species of fish. For visitors that prefer to stay on dry land then a hike or a mountain bike ride up into the mountains may be in order, or alternatively a sedate round of golf.
The island is connected to the Italian mainland on routes between Piombino and Portoferraio, the capital located in the north, and Cavo, Rio marina and Porto Azzurro, on the east coast of the island.
The town of Portoferraio is located on the north east coast of the Italian island of Elba, on a headland that closes the gulf towards the north. Portoferraio is one of the island's most ancient towns and can trace its origins back to the Ligurians, the Etruscans and the Greeks, before finally becoming a Roman colony named Fabricia. Cosimo I dei Medici is responsible for the town's layout who began to change it after 1548, when the town's name was changed to Cosmopoli, in order to strengthen the town's defences. Popular attractions in or near the town include the Romanesque Church of Santo Stefano alle Trane, the Villa dei Mulini and Villa San Martino, the Etruscan Fortress of Castiglione, the Pinacoteca Foresiana, the International Art Centre of Italo Bolano and the Botanical Garden at Ottone.
A few kilometers from Portoferraio, towards Bagnaia, in the hamlet of Le Grotte, where visitors can see the remains of a Roman villa from the Imperial period. These were covered by plants and shrubs until 1960 when digging brought to light the great complex with walls in opus reticulatum, big terraces overlooking the sea and a pool with heating and a water circulation system.
