Day Ferry or Night Ferry? The Pros and Cons
On most routes to Sardinia, you can choose between a day crossing and a night crossing. Both have their merits – an honest comparison.
Day ferry: pros
- Enjoy the scenery: in good visibility you can see coastlines, occasionally dolphins, and arrive at the Sardinian coast in daylight.
- Cheaper: the base price is usually lower than the night ferry, especially if you travel without a cabin.
- No "lost" vacation day from night-crossing tiredness: you're awake during the day and can actively use the time on board.
Day ferry: cons
- Without a cabin, the crossing (6 to 9 hours depending on the route) can feel a bit long.
- If you drove a long way the day before to reach the port on time, you start the crossing already tired.
- A whole day of the trip is essentially spent on travel.
Night ferry: pros
- Time saved: you sleep during the crossing and arrive rested in the morning – without an extra hotel night en route.
- More relaxed rhythm: the crossing falls into time you'd spend sleeping anyway.
- With a cabin, quite a comfortable start to the holiday.
Night ferry: cons
- Without a cabin, real rest is barely possible – sleeping in the corridor or the seating area isn't an attractive option.
- Cabins cost noticeably more, especially in peak season.
- You miss the coastal scenery during the crossing.
Most experienced Sardinia travelers prefer the night ferry with a cabin – especially with children, since sleep rhythm is barely disrupted and everyone arrives rested.
In short
If you want to save time and arrive rested, travel at night – ideally with a cabin. If you see the crossing itself as part of the experience and want to save money, the day ferry serves you well. For families with young children, sleep rhythm usually favors the night option.