Ferry to Sicily
Naples - Palermo
The busiest overnight ferry to Sicily, leaving Naples in the evening and arriving in Palermo in the morning
- Daily with GNV, plus Grimaldi Lines on most days
- Overnight crossing of 8.5 to 11 hours, depending on the operator
- The two operators leave from different quays
What to know about the crossing
Table of Contents
Getting there & terminal
The port of Naples is large, and the two operators on this route leave from different quays. This is the point at which most ferries here are missed.
- GNV sails from the Calata Piliero, Piazzale Molo Pisacane 1. The operator's ticket desk is at Piazzale Immacolatella Vecchia 1, so not directly at the berth.
- Grimaldi Lines sails from the Calata Porta di Massa.
Check which berth is on your ticket before you set off. By car you reach the port on the A1 or A3 and the seafront Via Marina; without a car you are at the port in a good ten minutes by bus or taxi from Napoli Centrale station, or just under half an hour on foot.
Check-in & departure
The deadlines differ by operator; plan for the stricter one if you have both in view.
- GNV: be at the berth two hours before departure. Check-in in Naples closes 45 minutes before departure, in Palermo for the return leg already 30 minutes before.
- Grimaldi Lines: two hours with a vehicle, one hour without. This route has fast check-in - show your ticket at the berth, no queueing at the desk.
Every traveller needs valid photo ID, children included.
On board
On this route GNV uses the GNV Aurora, the GNV Orion, the GNV Polaris, the GNV Sirio and the La Suprema, among others, and Grimaldi the Cruise Ausonia. There are seats and reclining seats, inside and outside cabins, suites and pet cabins; on board there is a restaurant, a self-service counter, a bar and shops.
A cabin is worth it on the shorter Grimaldi sailing too: with departure at 22:30 or shortly before midnight and arrival at first light, there is otherwise little sleep to be had. The vehicle deck is closed during the crossing.
Vehicle, bike & pet
Both operators carry cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and caravans; the price depends on length and height. With a vehicle both apply the two-hour deadline. Because several ships sail this route every day, vehicle space is much easier to get here than on the routes from Civitavecchia, which run only once a week.
Details on measurements, a car and caravan and gas cylinders are on taking a motorhome on the ferry, the rules for dogs and cats under taking a dog on the ferry.
Arrival & onward travel
In Palermo, too, the two operators do not use the same quay: GNV berths at the Calata Puntone, Grimaldi at the Stazione Marittima on Via Cardinale Dusmet, Molo Piave. 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, and Palermo Centrale station is a good two kilometres away. Because you arrive in the early morning the whole day is still ahead of you: a good two hours to Catania on the A19, an hour to Trapani on the A29, just under an hour to Cefalù.
Tickets & fares
Bookings are made through the booking box above; the "from" price shown follows the operators' current fares and changes with the season, the operator and how full the sailing is. Because several ships sail each day, it is worth comparing more than one departure on the same date: the two operators' prices are rarely level.
One point that costs money: with GNV, anyone who misses check-in or does not board the ship named on the ticket has no claim to a refund, not even a partial one.
Naples - Palermo
Overnight to Sicily every evening
Naples-Palermo is the most frequent ferry route to Sicily: GNV sails daily at around 20:00, and Grimaldi Lines adds a late evening departure on most days. With a crossing time of 8.5 to 11 hours you leave in the evening and are in Palermo in the morning.
One point decides between catching your ferry and missing it: in Naples the two operators leave from different quays. GNV sails from the Calata Piliero, Grimaldi from the Calata Porta di Massa. Check which berth is on your ticket before you set off.
- Crossing
- approx. 8.5-11 hrs
- Ferry operators
- GNV, Grimaldi Lines
- Frequency
- daily
- Price from
- €24
- Grandi Navi Veloci
- Grimaldi Lines
Next departures
FAQ Naples - Palermo
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Naples-Palermo ferry route
Which ferry operators sail from Naples to Palermo?+
Two operators: GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci) sails daily, usually at around 20:00, and Grimaldi Lines late in the evening on most days. Tirrenia, which served the route for almost a hundred years, withdrew in November 2025 and no longer sails it - offers that still advertise Tirrenia are out of date.
How long does the ferry from Naples to Palermo take?+
That depends on the operator. Grimaldi Lines is faster at around 8.5 hours, while GNV takes 10 to 11 hours depending on the departure. Both sail overnight. The times for your travel date are in the timetable.
Do both operators leave from the same quay?+
No, and that is the most important point on this page. GNV leaves from the Calata Piliero (Piazzale Molo Pisacane 1), and its ticket desk is at Piazzale Immacolatella Vecchia 1, so not at the berth itself. Grimaldi Lines sails from the Calata Porta di Massa. The port of Naples is large, and there is a walk between the quays.
When do I need to be at the port and how does check-in work?+
GNV asks you to be at the berth two hours before departure; check-in in Naples closes 45 minutes before departure, in Palermo for the return leg already 30 minutes before. With Grimaldi Lines it is two hours with a vehicle and one hour without, plus fast check-in directly at the berth. Every traveller needs valid photo ID.
Can I take my car or motorhome on the ferry?+
Yes, both operators carry cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and caravans. With a vehicle the two-hour check-in deadline applies. The price depends on length and height, so give the exact measurements when you book, especially with a roof box or a car and caravan. Everything else you should know is on taking a motorhome on the ferry.
Can I take my dog or cat with me?+
Yes, with both operators, but the rules differ. GNV has pet friendly cabins and designated animal areas; Grimaldi Lines allows dogs on a lead and muzzled on the outside decks and also has pet cabins. In both cases the places are limited and have to be registered when you book. The details and the paperwork you need are under taking a dog on the ferry.
What cabins and what facilities are there on board?+
There are seats and reclining seats, inside and outside cabins, suites and pet cabins; the cabins have air conditioning, a TV and their own bathroom. On board there is a restaurant, a self-service counter, a bar and shops. Because the crossing runs overnight and arrival is early, a cabin is worth it on the shorter Grimaldi sailing too.