Plan the crossing from Naples to Palermo, with departure-port details, Tirrenia, 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: Naples to Palermo. Search all ferry routes.
Check your ports, passengers, vehicle and dates before completing the reservation.
Naples–Palermo is a straightforward way to move between Campania and Sicily with a vehicle, avoiding the long road journey through Calabria and the Strait of Messina.
GNV and Tirrenia both operate the route year-round. Most travellers use overnight sailings, while Tirrenia also publishes daytime options on selected patterns.
The route works equally well for city-to-city travel and for motorists using Palermo as the starting point for a longer Sicily road trip.
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.
Where more than one operator serves Naples to Palermo, compare the current timetable and ticket conditions as well as price; a nearby departure can sometimes offer a better overall fit.
Travelling the other way? Read the Palermo to Naples ferry guide.
Compare crossing time, onboard facilities, passenger rules and fare flexibility before booking.
Grandi Navi Veloci
Crossing time: About 10–12 hours
GNV operates Naples–Palermo daily throughout the year, generally with evening departures suited to overnight travel.
Tirrenia
Crossing time: About 9h15 by day; 10h30–12h overnight
Tirrenia also operates Naples–Palermo year-round, providing another direct passenger and vehicle option on this busy domestic route.
Use the operator confirmation for the correct check-in area, terminal instructions and arrival deadline. Port procedures can vary by passenger type and sailing.
Naples has several passenger ferry facilities around the port. Longer vehicle ferries use the main ferry terminal area, so check the operator instructions carefully rather than following signs for local island hydrofoils.
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’s central port makes it easy to begin with a city stay before heading west to Trapani or east towards Cefalù and Messina.
Travellers from central Italy can compare Civitavecchia–Palermo, while Livorno and Genoa provide options from farther north.
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 9¼ to 12 hours. Exact times depend on operator, vessel and sailing date.
Grandi Navi Veloci and Tirrenia 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.
Both operators run year-round, but departure times and the balance of day versus overnight sailings can change.
Palermo to Naples ferry guide covers the opposite departure port, arrival arrangements and onward connections.
Use the terminal or pier named on your operator confirmation. The published departure is the sailing time; check-in and vehicle acceptance close earlier. If reaching Naples 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 Naples 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 Naples 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.
From about 9h15
2 ferry operators
Year-round route
