Sicily ferry
Livorno - Palermo
The overnight ferry from Tuscany to Sicily: leave in the evening, arrive in Palermo the next afternoon
- Three times a week with Grimaldi Lines, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
- Departure at 18:30, arrival the following afternoon
- Leaves from Darsena Toscana Est, not from the Stazione Marittima
What you should know about the crossing
Table of Contents
Getting there & the terminal
This is where precision pays: the Grimaldi ferries to Palermo do not leave from the Stazione Marittima in the city centre, but from the Darsena Toscana Est on Viale Mogadiscio in the northern part of the port. Follow a satnav to the Stazione Marittima and you are at the wrong quay, in the evening, with the check-in deadline running.
By car you come in on the A12 Genoa - Livorno - Rosignano or the A11/A12 from Florence and Pisa; from the Livorno exit follow the SS1 and the signs for Porto. Without a car Livorno is easy to reach by train; from the station take a bus or a taxi to the berth, as it is too far to walk.
Check-in & departure
With a vehicle you have to be at check-in at least two hours before departure, without one an hour is enough. The ship leaves punctually at 18:30.
On this route Grimaldi offers fast check-in: you show your ticket to the staff at the berth itself and save yourself the queue at the ticket desk. Have valid photo ID ready.
On board
The ship in service is the Zeus Palace. On board there are a restaurant and a cafeteria, shops, a bar with evening entertainment and play areas for children; in summer the outside deck with the pool is open as well.
At around 19 hours the cabin is the sensible choice, as you are travelling for a whole night and half of the next day. The vehicle deck stays closed during the crossing: medicines, charging cables and a change of clothes belong upstairs with you.
Vehicles, bikes & pets
Grimaldi carries cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and vans; the price depends on length and height. Vehicles have the two-hour check-in deadline, and because there are only three departures a week, the vehicle spaces are booked out before the passenger places in high season.
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 Grimaldi berths at the Stazione Marittima on Via Cardinale Dusmet, Molo Piave, unlike GNV, which ties up at the Calata Puntone. Both are in the same port but not at the same quay; if someone is picking you up, give them the right berth.
The port borders the city centre: Via Emerico Amari takes you into the Politeama quarter in a few minutes. Because the ship arrives in the afternoon, the day stays usable: the A19 is a good two hours to Catania, the A29 an hour to Trapani.
Tickets & fares
Booking is through the booking box above; the "from" price shown changes with the season and with how full the ship is. Grimaldi Lines also has early-booking, senior, youth and family fares, and whether they apply on your travel date is shown as you book.
With only three sailings a week, flexibility here is limited: a missed ship means two days of waiting.
Livorno - Palermo
Overnight from Tuscany to Sicily
Livorno is the ferry port of Tuscany and the nearest way to Sicily for travellers from Florence, Pisa or Emilia-Romagna. The crossing to Palermo takes a night and half a day: leave at 18:30, arrive the following afternoon.
Grimaldi Lines runs the route on its own, three times a week with the Zeus Palace. One point that catches many first-timers out: the ferry does not leave from the Stazione Marittima but from the Darsena Toscana Est outside the centre.
- Crossing
- approx. 19-20 hrs
- Operator
- Grimaldi Lines
- Frequency
- Mon, Wed, Fri
- From price
- €25
Next departures
Livorno - Palermo FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Livorno - Palermo ferry connection
Which operator sails from Livorno to Palermo?+
The Livorno - Palermo connection is run by Grimaldi Lines as the only operator. The ship in service is the Zeus Palace.
How often does the ferry from Livorno to Palermo sail?+
Three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Departure is at 18:30 each time, with arrival in Palermo the following afternoon. The return sailings are on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The times for your travel date are in the timetable.
How long does the crossing from Livorno to Palermo take?+
Around 19 to 20 hours. Because the ship leaves in the evening, you spend the greater part of the crossing asleep and arrive the next afternoon.
Does the ferry leave from the Stazione Marittima?+
No, and this is the most common mistake on this route. The Grimaldi ferries to Palermo leave from the Darsena Toscana Est on Viale Mogadiscio, in the northern part of the port. The Stazione Marittima in the centre is the wrong place. Allow time for the drive out there, above all in the evening.
How early do I have to be at check-in?+
With a vehicle at least two hours before departure, without one an hour. This route has fast check-in: you show your ticket to the Grimaldi staff at the berth itself and do not have to queue at the desk.
Can I take my car or motorhome on the ferry?+
Yes, you can bring a car, a motorcycle, a motorhome or a van; with a vehicle the two-hour check-in deadline applies. The price depends on length and height, so give the dimensions exactly when you book. What you should know about a car and caravan, gas cylinders and power on board is on taking a motorhome on the ferry.
Can I take my pet on the ferry?+
Yes, dogs, cats and other small animals can travel. Grimaldi Lines has pet-friendly cabins and designated areas on board; the animal has to be registered when you book. The details and the papers you need are on taking a dog on the ferry.
What facilities does the ferry have on board?+
The Zeus Palace has a restaurant, a cafeteria, shops on board, a bar with evening entertainment and play areas for children; in summer the outside deck with the pool is open as well. With a crossing of around 19 hours a cabin is worth having, and which categories are free on your travel date is shown as you book.