Getting to Sardinia by Ferry: The Ships
If you want to bring your own car, there's not much way around the ferry. An overview of the major shipping lines and what modern car ferries to Sardinia offer on board today.
The main shipping lines
On the routes between mainland Italy (and partly France) and Sardinia, four major shipping lines operate: Moby Lines, Tirrenia, Grimaldi Lines, and Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV). All run modern car ferries with cabins, restaurants, and outdoor decks – the comfort gap to a classic cruise is smaller than you might expect.
Example: Moby Legacy & Moby Fantasy
The two identical sister ships from Moby Lines have been running between Livorno and Sardinia since 2023. At 237 metres long with room for up to 3,000 passengers and 441 cabins, the company says they're among the largest passenger ferries ever built – a good example of how large modern ferries on this route have become. On the Genoa–Olbia route, on the other hand, the smaller ships Moby Aki and Moby Orli are often used.
What's usually on board
- Cabins in various categories, from simple interior cabins to outside cabins with a window.
- Restaurants and bars, from self-service to table service.
- Outdoor decks for watching the sunset or sunrise.
- Car deck with room for cars, motorhomes, and sometimes motorcycles.
Practical notes
- Check in on time: check-in for the car deck is usually 2–3 hours before departure – check current times with the relevant line.
- Book early: in peak season (July/August), popular departure times and affordable cabin categories sell out quickly.
- Pets: most shipping lines offer pet-friendly cabins – clarify details in advance if relevant.