Sicily ferry
Genoa - Palermo
The long overnight ferry from Liguria to Sicily: leave in the evening, arrive in Palermo the next afternoon
- Almost daily with GNV, leaving in the evening between 21:30 and 23:59
- Crossing of around 20 hours, arriving the following afternoon
- The northernmost ferry port for Sicily, the shortest drive from the north
What you should know about the crossing
Table of Contents
Getting there & the terminal
The ferry terminal is at Piazzale Traghetti Iqbal Masih 5, in the middle of the port of Genoa; the vehicle entrance for GNV is the Varco Albertazzi. By car you take the Genova Ovest (A7), Genova Aeroporto (A10) or Genova Est (A12) exit depending on your direction, and the A26 leads in as well; from there the terminal is signposted.
Without a car you are a few minutes on foot from the terminal from Genova Piazza Principe station, and city bus 20 is the alternative. From Cristoforo Colombo airport it is around five kilometres, served by shuttle bus and taxi. Foot passengers check in at the ticket desk in the terminal.
Check-in & departure
GNV asks you to be at the berth two hours before departure. Check-in closes in Genoa 45 minutes before departure.
For the return leg from Palermo the deadline is tighter: check-in there closes as early as 30 minutes before departure. If you book both directions, remember the stricter rule. Every traveller needs valid photo ID, children included.
On board
The ships on the route include the Excelsior, the GNV Aurora, the GNV Orion, the GNV Polaris and the GNV Sirio. You can choose deck passage, a reclining seat, inside and outside cabins or a suite; on board there are a restaurant, a self-service, a bar and a pizzeria.
At around 20 hours this is no longer a question of comfort: you spend a full night and half of the next day on the ship. The cabin is the sensible booking on this route. The vehicle deck stays closed during the crossing, so take everything you need on the way up with you.
Vehicles, bikes & pets
For many travellers Genoa - Palermo is a vehicle route pure and simple: bringing a car or motorhome to Sicily this way saves more than 1,200 km of motorway through the length of Italy. GNV carries cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and caravans, and the price depends on length and height.
Details on dimensions, a car and caravan and gas cylinders are on taking a motorhome on the ferry, the rules for dogs and cats on taking a dog on the ferry.
Arrival & onward travel
In Palermo GNV berths at the Calata Puntone, with the operator's ticket desk right beside it. The port borders the city centre: Via Emerico Amari and the Politeama quarter are a few minutes on foot, Palermo Centrale station a good two kilometres.
Because the ship arrives in the afternoon, the day of travel stays usable: the A19 gets you to Catania in a good two hours, the A29 to Trapani in an hour, and Cefalù takes barely an hour.
Tickets & fares
Booking is through the booking box above; the "from" price shown changes with the season and with how full the ship is. Weekday departures are as a rule quieter than those at the weekend. Which cabin categories are free on your travel date is shown as you book.
One point that costs money: if you miss check-in or do not board the ship named on your ticket, GNV gives no right to a refund, not even a partial one.
Genoa - Palermo
Overnight from Liguria to Sicily
Genoa is the northernmost ferry port for Sicily and therefore the shortest drive for anyone coming into Italy through France, Switzerland or Austria. The alternative is more than 1,200 km at the wheel through the length of Italy; on the ferry that becomes one night and a morning on deck.
GNV runs the route on its own, on six to seven days a week; only on Sundays is the service thinner. Departure is late in the evening, arrival the following afternoon.
- Crossing
- approx. 20 hrs
- Operator
- GNV
- Frequency
- almost daily
- From price
- €55
Next departures
Genoa - Palermo FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Genoa - Palermo ferry connection
Which operator sails from Genoa to Palermo?+
The Genoa - Palermo connection is run by GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci) as the only operator. The ships in service include the Excelsior, the GNV Aurora, the GNV Orion, the GNV Polaris and the GNV Sirio.
How long does the ferry from Genoa to Palermo take?+
Around 20 hours. It is the longest ferry connection to Palermo, but it saves you more than 1,200 km of driving. The times for your travel date are in the timetable.
How often does the ferry sail and when does it leave?+
On six to seven days a week, all year round; Sunday is the thinnest day. The ferries leave late in the evening, usually between 21:30 and 23:59, and reach Palermo in the afternoon of the following day.
How early do I have to be at the terminal?+
GNV asks you to be at the berth two hours before departure. Check-in closes in Genoa 45 minutes before departure, and in Palermo for the return leg as early as 30 minutes beforehand. Every traveller needs valid photo ID, children included.
Can I take my car or motorhome on the ferry?+
Yes, and that is what the route is booked for most often. GNV carries cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and caravans; the price depends on length and height. Give the dimensions exactly when you book, above all with a roof box or a car and caravan. What else you should know is on taking a motorhome on the ferry.
Which cabins and services are there on board?+
You have the choice between deck passage, a reclining seat, inside and outside cabins and suites. With around 20 hours on board a cabin is all but essential: you spend a full night and half a day on the ship. On board there are a restaurant, a self-service, a bar and a pizzeria.
Can I bring my dog or my cat?+
Yes, dogs and cats can travel. On these ships GNV has pet-friendly cabins and fenced exercise areas on deck. Places are limited and have to be registered when you book; with a crossing of 20 hours a pet cabin is particularly worth having. The details and the papers you need are on taking a dog on the ferry.