Italy is a country with more than 44 islands and 111 ferry ports.
Maritime transportation in Italy is very well developed and there are numerous lines taking you from the mainland to the islands and back.
There are also various international departures to different countries, such as Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia.
Depending on the type of vessel that you are going to take to reach your destination, you may be able to take your car or motorbike with you, but keep in mind that you need to double check if the vessel in question is a car ferry or a passenger ferry to be sure.
Domestic Ferry Lines
There are 259 ferry lines operating inside Italy.
The most popular domestic ferry lines are Naples - Palermo, Naples - Procida and Sorrento - Positano that take more than 167 passengers between these destinations.
Of course, the routes are operating even during the winter, but the departure schedule is slightly different.
Also, keep in mind that if the weather is not adequate for sailing, there is always a possibility that the ferry departure might be canceled, so make sure you read the Terms and Conditions applied for the specific departure you are interested in.
Here are some of the most popular ferry lines offered in Italy:
Other than the domestic ferry lines, you can take a ferry from Italy to several other destinations in Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia.
Some of these lines do not sail daily, so make sure to check the operational intervals for each of these ferry lines.
Most of the international departures start from the port of Venice.
Below you can see the list of the most popular international lines for ferries from Italy that you can purchase your tickets for:
Italy has around 19 ferry companies operating departures to and from the surrounding islands.
SNAV S.p.A is the largest ferry operator offering more than 153 ferry lines, whereas the smallest ferry company is Trieste Lines S.r.L and has 1 in their offer.
The vessels vary in size and capacity, depending on the route they are sailing on, but the information regarding the type of vessel you will be boarding is going to be indicated on the ticket and on the search results when you browse through the departures.
Some of the ferry companies operating in Italy can be found below, where you can click on them for more information and reviews:
Ferry Ports in Italy
Italy is home to approximately 111 ferry ports that offer both ferry and catamaran lines.
The largest ferry port is the one situated in Trieste.
The port of Trieste offers many amenities among which the air condition, wifi and toilet are all within walking distance from the ferry terminal.
Of course, during the high summer season, it is advisable to get to the ferry port at least 45 minutes prior to the departure time of your ferry in order to avoid any delays in your travel time.
The smallest ferry port is the one in Cala Sisine Beach.
Below you can see a list of the most important ports, and here you can find all ferry ports and terminals in Italy.
Italy is home to more than 44 islands.
The biggest island off the coast of Italy is Sicily, while the smallest one is Ponza.
Based on the ticket sales for the ferry lines to the islands of Italy, the most popular islands in terms of travellers are Sicily, Sardinia and Ischia.
For more details about each of the islands in Italy, you can click on them below for more information about that island; ferry timetables, ferry companies, places of interest and more!
If you are traveling by a plane and arriving at one of the airports in Italy, you can reach the ferry port by bus, you can see more about that here. Or if you are wanting a private, door-to-door transfer, you can have a look at the options available here.
FAQ about ferries in Italy
How many islands are there in Italy?
How many ferry ports are there in Italy?
What's the largest ferry company in Italy?
Do I need to buy the tickets in advance for the ferry departures in Italy?
How early should I be at the ferry port?
What happens if I miss my ferry?
How often do the ferries sail during the winter months in Italy?
Can I bring my pets on board?
Can I bring my bicycle on board?
Can foot passengers travel on car ferries in Italy?
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