Portoferraio - Cavo
Ferry to Elba
Portoferraio - Cavo
Ferry to Elba
Fares for the Portoferraio to Cavo crossing usually range somewhere between $37* and $302*. Most travellers pay around $147* for a Portoferraio Cavo ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $37*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $147* 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 Portoferraio Cavo route generally kick off from Portoferraio at around 06:50, and the last departure of the day is usually around 16:40.
You certainly can — with a short crossing and sailings running daily, Portoferraio to Cavo 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 Portoferraio to Cavo 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 Portoferraio to Cavo 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 Portoferraio to Cavo 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 Portoferraio and Cavo.
Pets aren't currently permitted on ferries between Portoferraio and Cavo. 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 Portoferraio to Cavo 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 Portoferraio to Cavo 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 Portoferraio to Cavo 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 Portoferraio to Cavo 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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| Portoferraio - Cavo Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $147 | |
| Portoferraio - Cavo Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Elba |
| Destination | Elba |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Toremar |
| Average Price | $147 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 2 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 14 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 15 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 15 m |
| First Ferry | 06:50 |
| Last Ferry | 16:40 |
| Distance | 7 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
The Italian town of Portoferraio is located in the Province of Livorno, on the edge of the harbour on the island of Elba. The town's name is derived from the Italian for "Iron Port", after the iron mills in and around the city. It is because of these mills that facilitated the city's growth during the 19th century. During this period the town became the main shipping port of profitable iron ore towards the mainland. Thanks to Napoleon's stay, as he was exiled in Elba in 1814 after his defeats in Europe and his forced abdication, Portoferraio and the entire island enjoyed an age of glory.
Arriving from the sea, Portoferraio seems like a bay, protected from pirates by it bastions which provide shelter from the sea. One of the most popular tourist attractions in the town are its ancient bastions and historic walls, which are fairly well preserved, and were built to provide protection to the town. Located nearby is the hamlet of Le Grotte, where visitors can see remains of a Roman villa dating back to the Imperial period. Until 1960, the ruins were covered by shrubs and plants, but excavation showed the extent of the complex with wall sin opus reticulatum, large terraces overlooking the sea and a pool with heating and water cycle system.
Ferry services from the town's harbour depart to Plombino, Bastia and Cavo.
The town and port of Cavo is located on the Italian island of Elba, the largest of the island in the Tuscan Archipelago and Italy's third largest, after Sardinia and Sicily. It also forms the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago, Europe's largest marine park, along with Giglio, Giannutri and Montecristo. The island is perhaps most famous for harbouring French Emperor Napoleon in 1814 during his exile, although the island's history goes back much further than this. It dates back to prehistory with the Ilvati tribe from Liguria who named the island Ilva and then later inhabited by the Etruscans and then later still by the Romans who liked the island because of its rich deposits of iron ore and its mud baths. The island's archaeological findings, contained in its museums, the impressive fortresses and military buildings such as Castello del Volterraio and the beautiful Napoleonic residences of the 1800's such as Palazzina dei Mulini all bear testament to the island's past.
