Ferry from Rome to Sardinia

How to Get to Sardinia from Rome

Sardinia, the second biggest island in the Mediterranean, is a unique destination that caters to all the visitors’ needs. Being quite a “rugged” destination, with its rocky and unspoiled coastline and its breathtaking mountainous regions, it attracts nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, trekking, or cycling across the island, as well as those who want to exploit the available water sports activities. Moreover, travelers who wish to enjoy a relaxing journey also favor Sardinia. From its crystal-clear beaches to the scenic mountain villages and medieval cities, Sardinia captivates visitors with its cultural and archaeological sites as well as its inviting shores. On the other hand, it is also the place to be for foodies, boasting a rich culinary tradition and offering a wide variety of mouthwatering local dishes.

The island of Sardinia lies on the west side of the Italian mainland. Thus, passengers who want to get to Sardinia from Rome can easily reach their journey’s end by catching a ferry from the Port of Civitavecchia. Indeed, Civitavecchia Port offers daily connections to Sardinia. Especially during the summer months (the peak tourist season), sailings from Rome to Sardinia are very frequent. The Port of Rome, situated 87km/54 miles from the city of Rome, has efficient connections to the Italian capital. Hence, if you want to make your way to Civitavecchia, you can get on one of the trains running from the railway hubs of Rome to Civitavecchia Train Station or opt for a bus ride to Civitavecchia Port. That being said, bus routes are long, and their frequency is limited. On the other hand, Civitavecchia port taxis and private port transfers provide direct and comfortable connections to the harbor’s area, while car rentals are always an option for travelers who want to explore Sardinia at their own pace and with their own vehicle.

Ferries from Rome to Sardinia: The Available Ports

Sardinia features a total of eight ports. Still, ferries from Civitavecchia to Sardinia sail to four of them. Hence, you’ll find routes from Civitavecchia to Cagliari, the port of the island’s largest city and perhaps, the busiest port in Sardinia in terms of cruise traffic, as well as to Arbatax, a tourist hotspot and busy ferry port. Additionally, travelers can also catch a ferry from Civitavecchia to Sardinia’s Porto Torres Port, the second biggest port on the island. Last but not least, the Port of Olbia, one of the busiest harbors in the Mediterranean in terms of passenger flow, can also be accessed from Civitavecchia Port. In fact, ferries from Rome to Olbia are the most frequent option for reaching Sardinia. In detail, the following ferry routes connect the Port of Civitavecchia to Sardinia:

Types of Ferries from Civitavecchia to Sardinia

Overall, there are two types of ferries that provide connections from Civitavecchia. The conventional ferries and the high-speed vessels. That being said, for the moment, all ships sailing from Rome to Sardinia are Ro-Ro passenger ships, meaning that their routes are longer, but they remain, in general terms, unaffected by weather conditions. In any case, all vessels boast a wide array of services and amenities. From restaurants, bars, shops, and child areas, they feature many seating regions and are equipped with cabins. Moreover, they are accessible and provide good care to their passengers with disabilities. All the ships’ areas are air-conditioned. As a matter of fact, the air-conditioning is often too cold, so it is advisable to dress in layers. Finally, all ferries from Rome to Sardinia can accommodate vehicles.

You can check out the main differences between high-speed and conventional ferries to get an idea. However, it’s important to remember that all ferries from Civitavecchia to Sardinia are conventional.

The Ferry Schedule from Rome to Sardinia

Although you’ll find available ferry routes from Rome to Sardinia no matter the time of the year, sailings are far more frequent during the summer months. In fact, some ferry companies (such as GNV) don’t offer connections during the winter season. It’s important to remember that routes can slightly change from year to year. Still, in general terms, changes are minimal. In any case, you are always advised to book your ferry tickets from Civitavecchia to Sardinia as early as possible. This way, you may benefit from special deals and lower fares while ensuring you secure the ideal seat, cabin, or lounge that suits your needs and preferences.

Your ferry ride from Civitavecchia to Sardinia will last from 5.5 to 15 hours, depending on the selected port. Overall, sailings to Cagliari are the most time-consuming, whereas crossings to Olbia are the quickest option. Still, you should choose your arrival port in Sardinia based on your accommodation location. Moreover, ferry routes are highly dependent on the weather conditions. As a result, routes often get delayed.

The ferry docks in the Port of Rome are the Piers 2, 16, 18, 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, and 30. Thus, your ferry will depart from one of those docks. In any case, it’s important to always bear in mind that the Port of Civitavecchia is a busy hub. Especially during the summer months, the port gets crowded. Therefore, you should plan your journey to the Port of Rome wisely to avoid missing your ferry.

Explicitly, passengers traveling with Tirrenia Lines (Moby) are required to be at the port 30 minutes before the departure time of their ferry from Rome to Sardinia (90 minutes if they travel with a vehicle). On the other hand, Grimaldi customers are asked to be at the departure dock 2 hours before the scheduled departure of the ferry, while travelers settling on a ferry ride with GNV must be at the port 1 hour prior to their departure (2 hours if traveling with a car).

The Ferry Companies’ Desks at Rome Civitavecchia Port

All three ferry companies providing sailings from Rome to Sardinia feature counters inside the ADM Ferry Terminal of Civitavecchia Port. Hence, you can reach your ferry agency’s desks once arriving at the port. The operating hours of each company’s counter vary. Thus:

• GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci) Ticket Counters: Located inside the Ferry Terminal, they are open from 09:00 am to 11:30 am and from 03:30 pm to 05:30 pm on Mondays and from 07:00 am to 11:30 am and from 03:30 pm to 05:30 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. On Sundays, they operate from 06:30 pm to 08:30 pm, while on Saturdays, they remain closed. Please note that even if you book your GNV ticket online, you’ll have to reach the ticket counter and get your ticket to board the ferry to Sardinia.
• Grimaldi Ticket Counters: They are also to be found within the terminal and are open to the public from 05:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, from 06:00 pm to 11:00 pm on Wednesdays, and from 05:00 pm to 11:00 pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. On Sundays, they are closed. Grimaldi also requires passengers to take a boarding card from its ticket counters. However, the fast check-in option applies to journeys to Sardinia, allowing passengers to show their tickets to the company’s staff right under the ferry.
• Tirrenia (Moby) Ticket Counters (CIN): You’ll also find the Tirrenia (and Moby) ticket counters, lying inside the Ferry Terminal. They offer their services from Monday to Saturday (from 08:10 am to 02:10 pm and from 04:40 pm to 10:55 pm), while on Sundays, they are open from 06:10 pm to 10:55 pm, including on public holidays. Please note that passengers can board a Tirrenia ferry, displaying their e-ticket. Hence, you don’t need to reach the ticket counter to receive a boarding pass.

Fares and Tickets from Rome to Sardinia

The tickets for the ferry journeys from Civitavecchia to Sardinia vary, depending on the chosen ferry company and the selected arrival port in Sardinia. Moreover, the type of the reserved seat also affects the final cost. Hence, deck seats are the most affordable option within seats in lounges or cabins (though recommended as sailings are long) considerably raise the final ferry fare. Overall, if you want to book a deck seat for your ride to Sardinia from Rome, you’ll pay around €25/$27,66 to €50/$55,30. Seniors and passengers with disabilities are often entitled to special discounts. A special fare policy also applies to children. Thus, children up to 4 years of age travel for free with Tirrenia Lines and GNV, while kids from 4 to 11 years old qualify for an up to 50% discount. On the other hand, children up to 3 years old travel out of charge with Grimaldi Lines, while kids aged 3 to 12 pay half the fare.

Ferry Companies with Routes from Civitavecchia to Sardinia

Routes and Fares of Ferry Companies from Rome to Sardinia

The fares and prices of ferry routes from Rome to Sardinia are affected by several factors. Hence, the final destination in Sardinia, the type of seat, the time of the year, and any extra amenities (such as cabins) are just some of the factors that determine the final cost of the ferry ticket. Moreover, the routes also differ depending on the time of the year. Thus, they are more frequent during the summer and scarcer in winter, while some routes are seasonal and available only during the tourist season. In general terms, if you want to get an idea of the ferry prices and routes from Civitavecchia to Sardinia, you should keep reading! (Please note that fares are for the most affordable ticket options, such as deck seats or economy class).

Grimaldi Lines Ferry Routes from Rome to Sardinia

Tirrenia (Moby) Ferry Routes from Civitavecchia to Olbia

GNV Ferry Routes from Civitavecchia to Olbia

The GNV Ferries (Forza, Splendid, GNV Spirit, GNV Vessel 1) handle connections from Civitavecchia Port to Sardinia. However, their routes are seasonal, meaning that they operate approximately from May-June to the end of September. During that time, they frequently connect the Port of Rome to Olbia. The duration of their crossings ranges from 6h15m to 8.5 hours, depending on the route and the vessel, and the prices for their tickets start from €42/$46,30.

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