Plan the crossing from Genoa to Palermo, with departure-port details, Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) and onward travel after arrival.
Choose your route, travel dates, passengers and vehicle to compare current sailings and fares. Route selected: Genoa to Palermo. Search all ferry routes.
Check your ports, passengers, vehicle and dates before completing the reservation.
Genoa–Palermo is one of Italy’s longest domestic passenger ferry routes. It can be especially attractive for motorists who would otherwise drive the length of the peninsula before crossing to Sicily.
GNV publishes the route year-round, with around six weekly departures and higher frequency during the main season.
At roughly twenty hours, this is a route where cabin choice, meal planning and arrival timing matter much more than on a short ferry crossing.
If you are connecting to accommodation, another ferry or ground transport, leave a sensible margin after the scheduled arrival. Weather, port traffic and boarding operations can occasionally affect the final timing.
Even on Genoa to Palermo, fares and vessel assignments can vary by departure, so compare the live options rather than relying only on a typical journey time.
Travelling the other way? Read the Palermo to Genoa ferry guide.
Compare crossing time, onboard facilities, passenger rules and fare flexibility before booking.
Grandi Navi Veloci
Crossing time: About 20h30
GNV operates Genoa–Palermo year-round with around six weekly departures and increased frequency in high season.
Use the operator confirmation for the correct check-in area, terminal instructions and arrival deadline. Port procedures can vary by passenger type and sailing.
Genoa is one of Italy’s largest ferry ports, with direct motorway links and a large passenger terminal complex close to the city. Follow the operator-specific check-in instructions because different companies use different areas of the port.
Palermo’s ferry port is close to the city centre and provides access to western and northern Sicily. Motorway routes lead east towards Cefalù and Messina and south-west towards Trapani and the rest of the island.
These routes range from medium-length daytime sailings to full overnight journeys. Compare the assigned vessel, cabin choice and departure time rather than assuming every sailing offers the same onboard experience.
Longer Sardinia and Sicily crossings offer cabins, reclining seats or deck accommodation depending on operator and ship.
Restaurants, self-service dining, cafés and bars vary by vessel and departure.
Cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and other bookable vehicle types can travel on these passenger ferries.
Pet cabins, kennels or designated pet areas are available on suitable vessels; check the selected sailing.
The assigned vessel can change. Treat the live booking result and operator information as definitive for facilities, accessibility, seating, accommodation and pet arrangements.
These are domestic Italian routes, but ferry companies require passenger details and may request identification at check-in or boarding. Carry the accepted ID used for the booking and normal vehicle documents.
Carry valid identification for every traveller and check the operator’s requirements for children and non-Italian nationals.
Enter accurate vehicle dimensions and carry registration and insurance documents.
Use the terminal, gate and deadline shown on the current booking confirmation because port arrangements can change.
Palermo combines a major ferry port with immediate access to western and northern Sicily. Drivers can continue towards Cefalù, Trapani, Agrigento and the island’s motorway network.
If travelling from central or southern Italy, Civitavecchia–Palermo and Naples–Palermo are much shorter alternatives.
Compare Ferry RoutesThe shortest sea crossing is not always the best overall journey. Compare departure port, sailing length, operator and onward travel after arrival.
about 20 hours 30 minutes. Exact times depend on operator, vessel and sailing date.
Grandi Navi Veloci publish direct passenger services on this route in the current 2026 network.
Yes. These are passenger and vehicle ferry services; enter the correct vehicle type and dimensions when booking.
Yes on passenger sailings. Check the operator’s foot-passenger check-in deadline and terminal instructions.
Yes on suitable vessels. Cabins are especially useful for overnight crossings, while some daytime departures also offer private accommodation.
Yes, subject to the operator’s current pet rules and the accommodation available on the selected ship.
Use the check-in deadline on your booking confirmation. Vehicle passengers normally need substantially more time than foot passengers, especially in summer.
The route is year-round, with frequency increasing during the main travel season.
Palermo to Genoa ferry guide covers the opposite departure port, arrival arrangements and onward connections.
Use the terminal or pier named on your Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) confirmation. The published departure is the sailing time; check-in and vehicle acceptance close earlier. If reaching Genoa by train or bus, allow for the transfer from the station to the harbour and for luggage handling.
Start your onward itinerary at the actual landing point in Palermo. Leave time to unload before a timed collection, train or island bus. If the ferry arrives late in the day, check the final public-transport departure or arrange a transfer in advance.
Allow for the overland journey to Genoa before choosing the ferry. A separately booked flight, train or earlier crossing may not protect you if you miss check-in. Use local times on both sides and check entry rules for each country on your full itinerary. Travel within Europe is not automatically free of document checks.
If driving from Britain, plan the continental approach and any overnight stop before the Italian port. Elba, Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily use different mainland gateways; compare the total driving distance after the ferry as well as the sea fare.
Select the correct passenger category before comparing Genoa to Palermo fares. A passenger-only boat cannot take a car, and a vehicle ferry may still have limited bicycle or foot-passenger availability. The travel modes shown in the facts panel should be checked against the specific sailing.
For a vehicle booking, give the full height and length including a roof box, rear rack or trailer. Where accommodation is offered, check whether a cabin or seat is required and whether meals are included. Request mobility assistance and any pet space before completing the booking, because these can have separate capacity limits.
Prices depend on the date, passenger mix, vehicle and ticket conditions. Compare the complete return cost and the amendment or cancellation terms. No fixed fare on this guide should replace a dated quote.
Car and motorhome planning · Travelling without a car · Taking a pet
Compare current sailings, passenger fares, vehicle prices and accommodation, then choose the crossing that works best for your journey.
About 20h30
GNV
Year-round service
Overnight cabins
