Italy
Palau (ITPAU) to La Maddalena (ITMDA) Ferry
Schedule, crossing time & sailings for 2026
Departs
Palau (ITPAU)
Sardinia
Arrives
La Maddalena (ITMDA)
Sardinia
DelcomarAt a glance
The Palau (ITPAU) to La Maddalena (ITMDA) ferry takes about 15m, with 34 sailings a day between 00:00 and 23:00. It is operated by Delcomar.
- First sailing
- 00:00
- Last sailing
- 23:00
- Sailings / day
- 34
- Crossing
- 15m
Palau (ITPAU) to La Maddalena (ITMDA) ferry timetable
| Departs | Arrives | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00 | 00:15 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 01:00 | 01:15 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 02:00 | 02:15 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 03:30 | 03:45 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 04:30 | 04:45 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 05:30 | 05:45 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 06:30 | 06:45 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 07:30 | 07:45 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 08:00 | 08:15 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 08:30 | 08:45 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 09:00 | 09:15 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 09:30 | 09:45 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 10:00 | 10:15 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 10:30 | 10:45 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 11:00 | 11:15 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 11:30 | 11:45 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 12:00 | 12:15 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 12:30 | 12:45 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 13:00 | 13:15 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 13:30 | 13:45 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 14:00 | 14:15 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 14:45 | 15:00 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 15:45 | 16:00 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 16:30 | 16:45 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 17:00 | 17:15 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 17:30 | 17:45 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 18:00 | 18:15 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 18:30 | 18:45 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 19:00 | 19:15 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 19:30 | 19:45 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 20:00 | 20:15 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 21:00 | 21:15 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 22:00 | 22:15 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
| 23:00 | 23:15 | 15m | Delcomar | Daily |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
About the Palau (ITPAU) – La Maddalena (ITMDA) crossing
34 sailings a day from Palau out to La Maddalena, the first at 00.00 and the last at 23.00. The return leg carries the same count, which is what you would expect of a link that functions as a road.
The Gallura end of the crossing
Palau sits on the Costa Smeralda side of northern Sardinia, and this is where cars, delivery vans and coaches queue for the archipelago. Everything that reaches La Maddalena by land stops here first — there is no bridge onward, so the ferry deck is the road surface.
Why the timetable never really closes
A crossing that starts at midnight is not serving tourism. Shift workers, medical transfers and freight all depend on the small-hours departures, which is why the service is held under a public service obligation rather than run commercially.
Operator
Delcomar publishes fares from about €3.70, an accessibility declaration and an assisted-boarding service. Note that La Maddalena's comune charges its own landing contribution on arrival, separate from the ticket.
Vehicles, pets & onboard
- PMR service for reduced mobility
- Season tickets
- Published mobility charter
- Documented complaint, refund and compensation procedures
Onboard facilities and vehicle, pet and luggage policies vary by operator and vessel; confirm details with the operator before booking.
Getting to & from the ports
Frequently asked questions
What time is the last sailing?
Sailings run from 00:00 to 23:00.
Do I need a passport for this ferry?
No, it's a domestic crossing within Italy.
Who runs this ferry crossing?
Delcomar.
What's the duration of this crossing?
Roughly 15m.
What's the sailing frequency per day?
34 sailings a day on this route.
How do I get back from La Maddalena (ITMDA)?
Check the La Maddalena (ITMDA) to Palau (ITPAU) ferry for return times.
How much does a ticket cost?
Ticket prices vary by operator, season and whether you bring a vehicle. Check the operator (Delcomar) for current fares.
Can I do this as a day trip?
A day trip is often possible: with a crossing of about 15m and several sailings a day (first 00:00, last 23:00), you can return the same day. Always check the return timetable before you go.
Does the ferry run all year?
Sailings run daily, and frequency can change between the summer and winter seasons. The timetable above shows the latest published departures — confirm with the operator for off-season dates.
Can I take a car on this ferry?
Delcomar does not list vehicle space on this service — plan to travel as a foot passenger. If you need to bring a car, check with the operator for alternative crossings.
Can I take a pet on this ferry?
Most ferry operators allow pets on this route, usually in a carrier, on deck or in designated pet areas or cabins, and registered assistance dogs travel free. Rules and any fees vary by operator and vessel — check with Delcomar, so declare your pet when booking.
What's the luggage allowance?
Foot passengers can normally bring their own luggage aboard at no extra charge, with racks or a luggage area near the entrance, and there is usually no airline-style weight limit. Oversized or excess items may carry a fee, so check with the operator if you are travelling with bulky baggage.
Timetable valid Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026.
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated August 9, 2026.
Operated by
Ports on this route
Palau (ITPAU) on the map
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