Cagliari to Civitavecchia Ferry

The Cagliari to Civitavecchia ferry connects the capital of Sardinia, on the island's south coast, with Civitavecchia, the port of Rome on the Italian mainland. Because Cagliari lies at the far southern end of the island, this is a long-haul overnight sea passage rather than a quick daytime hop, and it is the principal direct link between southern Sardinia and central Italy.

Operator and vessels

The line is run by Tirrenia, the historic Sardinian ferry operator, with the route also served on the mainland side through Grimaldi Lines. Sailings are far less frequent than the Olbia line — expect roughly a few departures per week rather than several a day — so timetables should be checked carefully when planning. The vessels are large overnight ro-pax ships equipped for a full night at sea, taking cars, campers, motorbikes and freight.

Crossing time and timetable

The passage covers the longest stretch of open Tyrrhenian Sea of the Sardinia routes and takes around 13 hours, with some sailings closer to 14–15 hours. Departures are usually in the evening, around 20:00, arriving in the morning the next day — for instance a roughly 20:00 departure reaching port near 09:00. The long overnight format means a cabin is the practical choice for most travellers.

Booking and onboard

Onboard you will find deck and reclining seats plus a range of inside and outside cabins suited to the long night crossing, along with bars and a restaurant. Cagliari is the gateway to southern Sardinia's beaches and the Sulcis coast, so summer demand is strong; booking ahead is especially important if you are travelling with a vehicle. Foot-passenger fares can start low in the off-season, rising steeply in July and August.