Arriving from Provincial Road 42

Arriving from Via Enrico Fermi

Arriving in Olbia and Porto Torres by ferry

Some guests book their stay in Northern Sardinia first and only later discover that ferry places are limited, especially in July and August. This page is intended as a simple guide to help you check ferry connections to Olbia and Porto Torres before or immediately after booking your room.

Important: this is an informative overview, not an official timetable. Times and frequencies may change during the year. Before purchasing tickets, always check dates, times and prices directly on the websites of the shipping companies or booking portals.
Last updated: March 2025

Main arrival ports
Olbia – North-east Sardinia, convenient for Costa Smeralda, San Teodoro, Budoni and the Gallura inland area.
Porto Torres – North-west Sardinia, convenient for Alghero, Stintino, Castelsardo and the Gulf of Asinara.

How ferry seasons work
Connections to the European continent operate all year round, with more crossings from spring and the highest number of departures in July–August. Routes from France and Spain are more seasonal and often have fewer weekly departures.
Main ferry companies
You can check timetables and availability directly on the official websites:

• Moby Lines
• Tirrenia
• Grimaldi Lines
• GNV – Grandi Navi Veloci
• Corsica Ferries

To compare several companies at the same time, you can use portals such as Ferryhopper or Direct Ferries.

Ferries to Olbia (North-East Sardinia)

Olbia is one of the main ports in Sardinia. Ferries usually depart all year round from mainland Italian ports, with more connections during the summer months. Below you will find the most commonly used routes (indicative information).

To see exact days and times, search directly on the ferry company websites or comparison portals. Routes and operating months may change each season.

Ferries to Porto Torres (North-West Sardinia)

Porto Torres is the closest port to Alghero and the north-western coast. Ferries arrive here from Italy, France and Spain. Again, the information provided is general.

Also in this case, always check the current season on the official websites before organizing your trip.

How to search for a ferry in practice

1. Choose your arrival port in Sardinia: Olbia (north-east) or Porto Torres (north-west, close to Alghero).
2. Choose your preferred departure port (Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Barcelona, Toulon, Nice, Corsica…).
3. Check availability and prices: on the official websites of the ferry companies and/or on one or two price comparison websites (Ferryhopper, Direct Ferries…).
4. In high season (July–August), try different dates and times and consider overnight crossings, which are often easier to find.

Tip for those arriving from far away: if you are travelling with a car or camper van in summer, it is usually better to book the ferry before or together with your accommodation, especially on routes from France and Spain where the number of departures is more limited.

Connecting the ferry to your stay in Alghero

Both Olbia and Porto Torres are excellent entry points for visiting the north of the island:

– from Porto Torres you can easily reach Alghero, Stintino, Castelsardo and Porto Conte Park;
– from Olbia you can reach Costa Smeralda, San Teodoro and the beaches of the eastern coast.

Many guests choose flexible combinations: arriving at one port and departing from another, or arriving by ferry and leaving by plane, depending on availability and current offers.