Civitavecchia to Palermo Ferry

The Civitavecchia to Palermo ferry is the fastest sea link between the Rome area and Sicily, run by Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV). Ships leave from the port of Civitavecchia, roughly 80 km north-west of Rome and the capital's main deep-sea gateway, and sail south down the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Sicilian capital.

Crossing time and schedule

The direct crossing covers around 251 nautical miles and takes approximately 13 hours 45 minutes. This is an overnight sailing: departures from Civitavecchia are timed for the evening, typically around 19:30, with arrival into Palermo the following morning. Sailing after dark lets foot passengers and drivers turn the passage into a night's rest and step off rested in Sicily at the start of a full day.

Frequency and season

GNV operates the route year-round, with sailings running several times a week. Frequency and exact departure times shift with the season, and summer sees the heaviest demand, so early booking is strongly advised for July and August.

Onboard and vehicles

Because this is a long night crossing, GNV vessels are fitted for comfort: cabins ranging from inside to sea-view, reclining seats for lighter budgets, restaurants and bars, and outdoor deck areas. The route is a full vehicle ferry, so cars, motorhomes, vans and motorcycles can be carried alongside foot passengers, making it a practical way to bring your own transport to the island. Travellers with a vehicle should arrive well before departure for check-in, which usually closes shortly before boarding.

For anyone starting in Rome, this is the shortest overnight option to Palermo, avoiding the much longer runs from Genoa or Naples further up the coast.