Plan the crossing from Palermo to Cagliari, with departure-port details, Grimaldi Lines and onward travel after arrival.
Choose your route, travel dates, passengers and vehicle to compare current sailings and fares. Route selected: Palermo to Cagliari. Search all ferry routes.
Check your ports, passengers, vehicle and dates before completing the reservation.
Palermo–Cagliari is a useful way to combine Sicily and Sardinia without returning to mainland Italy. It is particularly attractive for travellers touring both islands with their own vehicle.
Grimaldi Lines publishes one weekly Palermo departure in the current 2026 programme, with a scheduled journey of about 12 hours.
Cabins and vehicle decks make overnight road trips practical.
Check the live sailing before travel because operating days and vessel assignments can change through the season.
Look beyond the headline fare when comparing Palermo to Cagliari. Departure time, ticket flexibility and the transfer after arrival can make a different sailing more convenient overall.
Travelling the other way? Read the Cagliari to Palermo ferry guide.
Compare crossing time, onboard facilities, passenger rules and fare flexibility before booking.
Grimaldi Lines
Crossing time: About 12 hours
Grimaldi Lines operates the direct weekly Palermo–Cagliari passenger and vehicle connection.
Use the operator confirmation for the correct check-in area, terminal instructions and arrival deadline.
Palermo’s ferry port is close to the historic centre and motorway network. Follow the Grimaldi check-in instructions for the correct boarding area.
Cagliari is Sardinia’s capital and the main gateway for the island’s south coast and central road network.
These are medium or long Mediterranean crossings. Compare the assigned vessel, cabin choice and departure time rather than assuming every sailing offers the same onboard experience.
Cabins and reclining seats are valuable on long or overnight sailings.
Restaurants, cafés, bars or snack services depend on the vessel and departure.
Cars, motorcycles and other eligible vehicle types can be booked where space is offered.
Pet rules and accommodation vary by ship. Add the animal correctly and check the current conditions.
The assigned vessel can change. Treat the live booking result and current operator information as definitive for facilities, accessibility and pet arrangements.
This is a domestic Italian route, but ferry companies require accurate 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-resident passengers.
Enter accurate vehicle dimensions and carry registration and insurance documents appropriate to the journey.
Use the current terminal, gate and deadline shown on the booking confirmation because port arrangements can change.
Arriving in Cagliari opens southern Sardinia, while the SS131 provides the main northbound road toward Oristano and the rest of the island.
Check accommodation check-in, local traffic and any independently booked onward connection before travel.
Compare Ferry RoutesCompare departure port, crossing length, operator and onward travel after arrival.
The current published journey is about 12 hours. Exact times vary by sailing date, vessel and operating conditions.
The current programme is described as 1 departure weekly. Always check the live timetable for the exact date.
Grimaldi Lines is the current operator covered on this route.
Yes on eligible sailings. Book the correct vehicle type and dimensions and follow the operator's check-in deadline.
Yes. Foot passengers are accepted on the passenger services described on this page.
Cabin availability depends on the route and vessel. Longer Grimaldi sailings normally offer cabins; on shorter Corsica Ferries crossings a cabin may be unnecessary or unavailable on some departures.
Pets can travel subject to the operator's current rules, documentation requirements and the accommodation available on the selected ship.
Follow the current booking confirmation. Vehicle passengers should allow more time than foot passengers, and international routes require extra time for document checks.
Cagliari to Palermo ferry guide covers the opposite departure port, arrival arrangements and onward connections.
Use the terminal or pier named on your Grimaldi Lines confirmation. The published departure is the sailing time; check-in and vehicle acceptance close earlier. If reaching Palermo 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 Cagliari. 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 Palermo 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 Palermo to Cagliari 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 12 hours
Grimaldi Lines
1 departure weekly
Vehicles & foot passengers
