Olbia to Genoa Ferry

The Olbia to Genoa ferry is one of the busiest and most established links between Sardinia and the Italian mainland, connecting Olbia's Isola Bianca terminal on the island's northeastern Gallura coast with the major Ligurian port of Genoa (Genova). It is a workhorse northbound route for travellers heading towards northwest Italy, the Po Valley and the French border, and it runs year-round.

Several companies share the line, giving frequent choice: Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), Tirrenia and Moby all operate it, and between them there are up to around a dozen sailings a week — effectively at least one departure most days, with extra capacity added in the summer high season. GNV revived the historic Genoa–Olbia connection in 2019 and deploys ships such as the GNV Rhapsody on the run; Moby and Tirrenia add their own large ferries.

The crossing distance is about 183 nautical miles, and it is a classic overnight sailing. Journey times vary by operator and vessel: Moby's faster ships are quoted at roughly 10–11.5 hours, GNV around 11.5–12.5 hours, and Tirrenia about 12–13 hours. Departures are typically in the evening with arrival the next morning, so you sleep on board and wake up ready to drive off.

Because it sails through the night, cabins are widely available — 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-berth cabins, shared same-sex cabins, and more spacious suites, all with private bathroom and air conditioning — alongside cheaper reclining seats and deck options. The route is heavily used by motorists: you can bring a car, motorcycle, camper or motorhome with no strict luggage limits, and pets are welcome (GNV offers pet-friendly options on board). Olbia's Isola Bianca port is walkable from the town centre and rail station, while Genoa's terminal sits close to the city and the A7/A10/A12 motorways, making this a practical gateway for onward travel across northern Italy and beyond.