Livorno to Olbia Ferry, book your crossing and travel from Tuscany

The question everyone asks: how long will I spend at sea? The answer depends mainly on the ferry you choose. The newest Moby Lines ships, such as the Moby Fantasy or Moby Legacy, make the journey in around seven and a half hours. This is barely longer than a working day, and you can spend this time however you like on board.

Grimaldi Lines offers slightly longer crossings, generally between eight and a half and ten hours depending on weather conditions. This difference is due to the cruising speed of the ships and the sea routes taken. Honestly, an hour more or less doesn’t fundamentally change the experience, especially if you opt for the night crossing.

The journey covers approximately 180 kilometers across the Tyrrhenian Sea. In good weather, you can see the Italian coast gradually receding, then a few hours later, the first outlines of Sardinia appearing on the horizon. It’s a moment that many travelers find magical, especially at sunrise during night crossings.

The travel times mentioned are approximate. For exact schedules for your travel date, please check our real-time booking system.

Let’s talk money, because it’s often a deciding factor when choosing your crossing. The Livorno Olbia ferry is an economical option for traveling to Sardinia, but prices can vary considerably depending on several factors, which I’ll explain.

In the low season, typically from November to March, Grimaldi Lines regularly offers passenger tickets for €25. This is unbeatable compared to the price of a flight, especially when you add baggage check-in fees and travel to the airport. Moby Lines generally starts at around €30 to €35 for the same period, which is still very reasonable.

In summer, it’s a different story. Fares naturally rise with tourist demand. A passenger ticket can cost up to €75 in August, particularly for weekend crossings. If you’re traveling with your family, these differences quickly add up. That’s why I always recommend booking as early as possible, ideally two to three months before your departure.

However, if you are traveling with your car, add between €70 and €250 depending on the season. A small city car will obviously cost less than a large SUV. Motorhomes are charged according to their length, with rates ranging from €140 to €380. Moby Lines has developed an interesting service called “Camping on board” which allows motorhome owners to stay in their vehicles during the crossing for an additional fee of around €20. Some travelers appreciate this option, while others prefer to enjoy the ferry’s common areas.

For night crossings, and this is important to know before booking, a cabin is mandatory. Companies do not allow passengers to sleep in the lounge chairs for safety and comfort reasons. A standard double cabin will cost you between €45 and €95 extra. If you are traveling with four people, a family cabin generally costs between €70 and €140.

Let’s do a concrete calculation for a typical family: two adults and two children aged 8 and 12, with a car, traveling overnight. In March, you will pay around €250 all-inclusive. In June, expect to pay around €350. And in the middle of August, be prepared to pay €450 or more. These figures may seem high, but keep in mind that you are saving on four plane tickets and a car rental at your destination.

The prices shown are for information purposes only and may vary depending on the time of year and availability. Check our booking engine for exact, real-time prices.

This question comes up constantly in travel forums, and I understand why. Both ferry companies operate on the same route, but they don’t offer exactly the same experience. Let me help you make the right choice based on your travel profile.

The Moby Lines experience

Moby Lines is somewhat of a big player on this route. Their ships are instantly recognizable with their Looney Tunes characters painted on the hull. Beyond this playful aspect that appeals to children, Moby focuses on speed and frequency. Their most modern ferries, such as the Moby Fantasy, make the crossing in seven and a half hours, which is a significant time saving if you take the daytime ferry. They also offer three to four daily departures in high season, giving you more flexibility in your schedule.

On board Moby ships, you will find several restaurants, including a pizzeria with a wood-fired oven on some boats, which is quite rare on ferries. Wi-Fi is free on their newest ships, which is a nice touch if you need to work during the crossing or simply stay connected. The spaces are well designed with children’s areas, well-stocked duty-free shops, and spacious outdoor decks for fresh air.

The “Camping on board” option is worth a special mention. If you’re traveling in a camper van, being able to stay in your vehicle can be a real bonus, especially if you have all your gear with you. For a small extra charge of around €20, you can keep access to your belongings and your personal space. Be aware, however, that places are limited and you need to book this option at the same time as your ticket.

Grimaldi Lines services

Grimaldi Lines takes a different approach. This Neapolitan company has chosen to focus on price rather than speed. Their fares are consistently 15-20% lower than those of Moby Lines, which is significant if you are on a tight budget. Their ships take about nine hours to make the crossing, but frankly, if you take the night ferry, that extra hour doesn’t matter since you’ll be asleep.

What I like about Grimaldi are their cabins. They are generally more spacious than average, with real double beds rather than bunk beds in some categories. For a couple, this is much more comfortable. Their ships are also powered by LNG, liquefied natural gas, making them some of the most environmentally friendly ferries in the Mediterranean. If you’re concerned about the environmental impact of your trip, this is an argument that may tip the scales.

So, what’s the verdict? If you want the fastest ferry and budget isn’t your top priority, go with Moby Lines. If you’re looking for the best value for money and prefer night crossings, Grimaldi Lines is probably a better fit. Both companies are reliable, punctual, and offer impeccable safety standards. You can’t go wrong with either choice; it really comes down to your personal priorities.

The port of Livorno is not the most complicated in Italy, far from it, but a few practical tips will save you stress and wasted time on the day. The ferry terminal is located in the Porto Mediceo area, easily accessible from both the highway and the city center.

If you are arriving by car from Florence, as many travelers do, allow about an hour’s drive via the FI-PI-LI, the expressway that connects the three major Tuscan cities. It is free, which is always good to know, and relatively smooth except during rush hour. Follow the signs for “Porto” and then “Traghetti” (ferries in Italian) to get directly to the terminals. Moby Lines and Grimaldi Lines have different docks, so check your ticket carefully to see which company you are traveling with.

Florentines who prefer to avoid driving can take the train. From Santa Maria Novella station, regional trains leave every hour for Livorno Centrale. The journey takes about an hour and ten minutes and costs around ten euros. From the station to the port, you then have two options: the LAM bus (blue or red line) for €1.50, or a taxi for around ten euros. Personally, with luggage, I would take a taxi without hesitation.

Regarding check-in times, the companies are very strict. Moby Lines requires foot passengers to arrive thirty minutes before departure, while Grimaldi Lines requires one hour. For vehicles, Moby requires ninety minutes in advance and Grimaldi requires two full hours. These time frames may seem excessive, but they correspond to the time needed for document checks, check-in, and, above all, the boarding of hundreds of vehicles onto the garage decks. Even a slight delay will result in refusal of boarding without the possibility of a refund or postponement. The companies are adamant on this point.

If you leave your car in Livorno to travel as a pedestrian passenger, there are several long-stay car parks near the port. Expect to pay between €12 and €18 per day depending on the location and time of year. Booking online in advance is strongly recommended in July and August, as spaces fill up quickly.

Your Livorno Olbia ferry docks at the port of Isola Bianca, Olbia’s modern maritime terminal located three kilometers northeast of the city center. Disembarkation is generally well organized, although it can take between 15 and 30 minutes depending on the number of vehicles on board.

Once you leave the port, you have several options depending on whether you have a vehicle or not. If you have brought your car, simply follow the signs for “Uscita Porto” and then head towards your final destination. Signage in Sardinia is fairly clear, with the SS125 leading to the Costa Smeralda in the north and San Teodoro in the south.

For those arriving on foot and wishing to rent a car, all the major companies are located directly at the terminal: Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Maggiore, and even local Sardinian companies, which are often cheaper. I always recommend booking online before you leave, especially between June and September. Prices can double on site, and you may find yourself without a vehicle available on weekends in August. A city car generally costs between €35 and €60 per day depending on the season, and obviously more if you want an SUV or a family minivan.

If your hotel is in the center of Olbia, bus line 10 connects the port to the city center for only €1.50. Departures are coordinated with ferry arrivals, so you shouldn’t have to wait long. Otherwise, taxis are parked right in front of the terminal. A ride to the center costs around €12 to €15, which is reasonable if there are several of you.

Let’s talk about destinations. Olbia is strategically located for exploring the whole of Gallura, this magnificent region in northeastern Sardinia. Porto Cervo and the famous Costa Smeralda are only thirty kilometers away, a short half-hour drive. The La Maddalena archipelago, a marine national park with turquoise waters, is 40 kilometers away. You can then take the ferry from Palau for a 15-minute crossing.

San Teodoro and its five-kilometer-long La Cinta beach are also 30 kilometers to the south. It is one of Sardinia’s most family-friendly beaches, with shallow, crystal-clear waters. Further south, the coast of Orosei and its wild coves, accessible only by boat, are well worth a visit.

If you plan to visit Alghero and the west coast, allow about two hours’ drive via Sassari. It’s feasible as a day trip, but I would recommend spending two or three days there, as this region has so much to offer.