Palermo - Cagliari
Ferry to Sardinia
Palermo - Cagliari
Ferry to Sardinia
Fares for the Palermo to Cagliari crossing usually range somewhere between $80* and $865*. Most travellers pay around $362* for a Palermo Cagliari ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $80*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $182* on average. Bringing a car along typically brings the average fare up to $566*.
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.
Palermo Cagliari sailings generally depart at around 09:00.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Palermo and Cagliari 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 Palermo to Cagliari 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 Palermo to Cagliari 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 Palermo to Cagliari 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 Palermo and Cagliari.
Pets aren't currently permitted on ferries between Palermo and Cagliari. 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 Palermo to Cagliari 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 Palermo to Cagliari 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 Palermo to Cagliari 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 Palermo to Cagliari 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.
More routes than anyone else.
Compare fares, times & routes in one place.
Change plans easily with flexi tickets.
Book e-tickets & manage trips in-app.
Live ship tracking & real-time updates.
Top-rated customer support when you need it.
| Palermo - Cagliari Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $182 | |
| Average Price with Car | $566 | |
| Average Price with Motorbike | $243 | |
| Average Campervan Price | $639 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $539 | |
| Palermo - Cagliari Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sicily |
| Destination | Sardinia |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Grimaldi Lines |
| Average Price | $362 |
| Average Pet Price | $710 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 1 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 12 h |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 12 h |
| First Ferry | 09:00 |
| Last Ferry | 09:00 |
| Distance | 263 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
The Italian city of Palermo is located in the north west of Sicily, by the Gulf of Palermo in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The city has a reputation across the world for its history, gastronomy, culture and architecture with a its origins dating back over 2,700 years. Many visitors flock to the city and it has become Sicily's main hub for culture, commerce and tourism. The city's centre has many examples of fine palaces and churches which give way to areas whose way of life doesn't seem to have changed for centuries. This is perhaps most evident in the markets in Palermo, whose Arabic origins can still be seen today thanks to the noise, aromas, colours, narrow streets and with the excellent array of produce on offer and the general 'souk's atmosphere.
From the city's port, ferry services operate to destinations include Genoa, with a crossing time of 21 hours, Civitavecchia, 14 hour crossing time, Naples, 10 hours and 30 minutes, and Tunisia, 10 hours. It is recommended that foot passengers check in 1 hour prior to departure and vehicles 2 hours prior to departure. For all departures to Tunisia check in should be 4 hours prior to departure.
The city of Cagliari is located on the Bay of Angels (Golfo degli Angeli) on the Italian island of Sardinia. The city was built on seven hills which identify the city's prehistoric neighbourhoods. The city's eight miles of coastline has a number of beaches with Poetto, perhaps being the most popular and has many restaurants and bars along the shoreline and is a popular place to socialise in the evenings. The city can trace its origins back to the 7th century when it was founded by the Phoenicians and has many fine examples of buildings that reflects its history.
A popular tourist attraction in the city is the castle which towers over the city and located between the harbour and the castle is the city's marina which is in the old harbour district in the city. Cagliari is a very green city and has a number of public gardens for its visitors to enjoy. Located on a hill covered in Pine and evergreen Oak is Monte Urpinu Park and is around 62 acres in size and is perhaps the most wooded of the city's parks. Also in the city is the Park of San Michele which has a medieval castle in it, and the Terramaini Park which has a pond that is popular with flamingos and other wading birds.
From the city's port, scheduled ferry services depart to Civitavecchia, Naples, Palermo and Trapani.
