The ferries that depart from Genoa for Sardinia arrive in Porto Torres throughout the year and in the port of Olbia only in some months.
On the Porto Torres route we find Tirrenia carriers departing from Genoa every month, while those of GNV are operational from mid-May to mid-October. It is therefore possible to travel on this route at any time.
On the Olbia route, departing from the port of the Ligurian capital, from mid-May to the end of October, the units of the Moby and GNV fleets are available, in principle, daily. In fact, there are very few days when there are no trips on the route during these months in which it is active.
Information on ferries to Sardinia departing from Genoa
To find out the information relating to the individual routes and to book, both as regards the Genoa – Porto Torres ferries and for the data relating to the Genoa – Olbia ferries, can turn out useful the map, the general overview of the journey, the first and last trips, the table with updated timetables and prices, the comparator and the booking form, present on the pages to which the links refer.
Let’s see below what is the important information concerning all the line services that guarantee the connections between Genoa and Sardinia.
Line services Genoa – Porto Torres
The ferries that reach the Sardinian port city of Porto Torres from Genoa, operating throughout the course of the year on a daily basis, are those managed by the Tirrenia shipping company (held by the same owner of Moby). It is the Cruise-Ferry Athara, Bithia or the Fast Cruise-Ferry Sharden, Moby Tommy, Aki or Wonder that are alternatively used on the route by the shipping company.
The GNV fleet is operational on the route, from mid-May to mid-October, with a daily trip (every other day only at the beginning and at the end of the period). The carriers used on the line are GNV Blu and Allegra.
Duration and times
With Tirrenia, the duration of the journey is 10 hours, during the night, with departure at 20:30 and arrival expected at 06:30 the following morning. In summer, the departure time is postponed by half an hour (9.00 pm) and the duration of the crossing is also extended by half an hour due to the more intense traffic expected, with arrival at 07.30 am.
With GNV the duration of the journey can vary between 13 and 14 hours. The navigation, in mid season, is nocturnal, with departures at 19:00 or 22:00. In high season, on Saturdays, the frequency of the rides is doubled, with two departures a day: one at 09:30 (during the day) and another at 23:59 (at night); the departure on Friday is brought forward to 18:30. Further variations are foreseen for the mid-August bridge.
Accommodation and services on board
With regard to the type of accommodation, you can book an inexpensive deck passage, a numbered reclining seat or a cabin (with or without porthole, double or quadruple). On-board services include bars, restaurants, a children’s play area and a shop.
Prices
With Tirrenia the basic price is €38.34, referring to the cost of the journey for a passenger on deck in the low season; if a car not exceeding 4 meters in length is added, the total amount becomes €116.17.
With GNV, the price starts from €33 for a deck seat for one passenger in the low season; with a car up to 4.99 meters long, the total amount starts at €103.
The prices indicated are subject to increases, determined by seasonality, accommodation, whether or not to embark a vehicle, as well as other factors.
Check-in and boarding
The terminal of the port of Genoa (at this link you can find details on how to reach it and on the services available in the port area) is located in the Ferry Square Iqbal Masih.
With Tirrenia, (electronic) check-in must be carried out in the square in front of the ship by showing the ticket and documents; passengers without a vehicle are obliged to show up at least half an hour before departure, while those traveling with a vehicle at least two hours before.
With GNV, check-in involves collecting the boarding passes by showing the ticket and documents; those traveling as pedestrians must go to the port ticket office of the terminal one hour in advance, while if you are traveling by car the check-in operations are carried out at the port access gate (Varco Albertazzi), where you must present yourself two hours before departure.
Line services Genoa – Olbia
The ferries to the port of Olbia from Genoa do not operate every month. A unit from the Moby shipping company sails from mid-May to the end of October almost daily and, in the same period, a GNV ship, which stops a few days in May, in October and on weekends, thus covering the route, on average and high season, almost every day.
The carriers of the Moby fleet most used are the Fast Cruise-Ferry Moby Wonder, Drea, Aki, Otta.
The units in the GNV fleet that shuttle between the two ports are Rhapsody, GNV Allegra, Excellent and Excelsior.
Duration and times
With Moby the duration of the journey is 10 hours, at night, with departure at 21:30 and arrival scheduled at 07:30. On Saturdays and in high season there are generally two trips a day, with the addition of the one at 21:15. During the mid-August period, the frequency increases further, with the departure at 09:00, in daytime navigation.
With GNV the crossing lasts between 12 and 13 hours, with navigation at night and departure at 19.00 (Friday at 18.30 and Saturday at 23.30).
Accommodation and services on board
The accommodations that can be booked are, in increasing order of price, deck passage, armchair, cabin (inside or outside, double or quadruple ones) and suite. On-board services are guaranteed by bars, restaurants, a children’s play area and a shop.
Prices
With Moby, the price for a deck passage for a passenger on foot starts from €48.32, with a car up to 4 meters in tow from €89.62.
With GNV, the cost of a deck passage starts from €24, while traveling with a vehicle up to 4.99 meters in length, the price starts at €71.
These amounts are to be considered purely indicative, since they depend on various factors, such as seasonality, the type of accommodation, the addition or not of the vehicle and more.
Check-in and boarding
The address of the terminal is Iqbal Masih Ferry Square. Further information on how to reach the Genoese port, and on which services are available, can be found at the last link proposed.
With Moby, check-in is electronic and takes place in the square in front of the ship. Foot travelers must show up at check-in at least half an hour before departure time, while travelers by car within two hours of departure. In addition to the ticket, it is necessary to have identity documents and those of the car with you.
With GNV, tickets must be converted into boarding passes. If you are on foot, you can check in, at least one hour before departure, at the port ticket office of the terminal. If you are by car, you must show up at the Varco Albertazzi port access two hours in advance.
