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Civitavecchia to Olbia Ferry: The Route from Rome to the Costa Smeralda
With Grimaldi Lines
To get from Civitavecchia to Olbia by ferry you have direct sailings all year with Tirrenia, by day and by night, and summer sailings with Grimaldi. You leave from Civitavecchia, about 80 km from Rome, and arrive in Olbia, in the north-east of Sardinia.
It is the shortest and most frequent route between Rome and Sardinia. The crossing takes about eight hours, so you can choose between a daytime ferry, travelling in an armchair seat, or a night ferry with a cabin.
You can take a car, motorbike, motorhome and pet. On ILF you compare the sailings for your date and book at the ferry company's price.
Civitavecchia to Olbia ferry timetable
Below you can see the departures for the date you choose, with ferry company, departure time and arrival time. It is one of the few Sardinia routes with day and night sailings on the same day: the daytime one leaves in the morning and arrives in the afternoon; the night one leaves in the late afternoon and arrives in the early hours.
What changes between seasons
Tirrenia runs the route all year. Grimaldi runs it only in summer, from June to September; outside those dates, its own website says the sailings are made by another company. That is why in winter you will see fewer options and a single ferry company.
The return trip is on the Olbia to Civitavecchia ferry page.
Check the departures for your date in our search engine. Schedules and prices
Indicative schedules and subject to variation by the ferry company for operational reasons without prior notice.
How long does the ferry from Civitavecchia to Olbia take?
About eight hours, both by day and by night. With the night sailing you gain a whole day at your destination, because you arrive in the early hours and can make the most of the morning. The exact duration of each sailing and the ship that makes it are shown in the timetable on this page.
Ferry companies on Civitavecchia to Olbia
Tirrenia (CIN) is the main ferry company: it runs the route all year with a day and a night sailing. It offers deck passage, armchair seats and cabins, and has cabins with access for animals.
Grimaldi Lines adds sailings in summer only. In its calendar, the outward trip to Olbia is overnight and the return is by day; you notice the difference if you want to sleep on board or save yourself the night.
Moby lists this route on its website, but it is operated by Tirrenia. On I Love Ferry the timetable shows which ferry company runs each sailing.
Civitavecchia to Olbia ferry price
The price you see above is the lowest we have recently found for an adult without a vehicle. Yours will change depending on:
- The ferry company and the time: a daytime armchair seat does not cost the same as a night cabin.
- The season: the fare goes up in July and August and on summer weekends, which is when Tirrenia and Grimaldi overlap.
- The accommodation: deck passage, armchair seat (poltrona) or cabin.
- The vehicle: it is paid separately and depends on its size.
Tirrenia publishes specific offers for cars, motorbikes and caravans or vans; if you are travelling with a vehicle, say so when you search to see the total.
Children and discounts on the Civitavecchia to Olbia ferry
Tirrenia does not charge children until they turn 4 and applies a 50% discount between the ages of 4 and 12 (not yet 12). Grimaldi does not charge the fare for children under 3 and applies a 50% discount from 3 to under 12; that discount does not cover fixed fees or services on board.
Grimaldi also has a 20% discount for young people aged 12 to 26 and another 20% for those over 60. If you live in Sardinia, Tirrenia and Grimaldi (in summer) have a resident fare; it is a ferry company fare, with its own conditions, and you should check with us whether we can apply it before booking.
Civitavecchia to Olbia ferry with a car
You can take a car, motorbike, motorhome or van. When you search, say what type of vehicle you have to see the price for your date. With Grimaldi, cars up to 1.90 m high and 5 m long are accepted, and the measurements include bike racks and roof boxes. Bicycles and electric scooters travel free if you add them to the booking.
With Tirrenia, arrive at Civitavecchia 90 minutes ahead if you have a vehicle. With Grimaldi, 2 hours at the latest. If in doubt, go by the time on your ticket.
Civitavecchia to Olbia ferry with a dog
Tirrenia requires a ticket for the animal, a pet passport with the rabies vaccination and a valid vet certificate. Dogs can travel on the outside decks and in cabins with access for animals (up to three animals, to be booked subject to availability); they are not allowed in common lounges or armchair seat areas.
With Grimaldi you also add the pet to the ticket. In a cabin only with the specific pet-in-cabin service, and on the outside decks on a lead and muzzled. More information in travelling by ferry with a dog.
On board: armchair seat or cabin
On the daytime ferry an armchair seat (poltrona) is usually enough. On the night sailing a cabin is a good idea: deck passage saves money, but you sleep very little. Book the cabin in the same purchase so you do not miss out on a place.
Ports of Civitavecchia and Olbia
Port of Olbia
Port of Civitavecchia
Civitavecchia is the port of Rome, about 80 km from the capital. There are regional trains from Rome to the port city. If you drive, leave with time to spare: boarding queues build up earlier on summer sailings.
If you are on foot, Tirrenia asks you to be at the port 1 hour before in summer and 30 minutes the rest of the year. With a car, 90 minutes.
Arriving in Olbia: the port of Isola Bianca
The ferry arrives at the port of Olbia, in the Isola Bianca area, close to the centre and the station. It is the gateway to the Costa Smeralda, and from here the airport and the beaches of the north-east are a short distance away.
Documents for boarding in Civitavecchia
It is a route within Italy: your Spanish DNI or a valid passport, original, is enough for all travellers, babies included. The names on the ticket must match those on the document, and the registration number must match that of the car. Children under 14 travel accompanied, and between 14 and 18 they need authorisation according to Tirrenia's rules.
I Love Ferry tips for Civitavecchia to Olbia
- Choose the sailing according to what you do on arrival: if you are going to hire a car or check in to a house, the night sailing leaves your morning free.
- In summer, book ahead: two ferry companies overlap, but cars and cabins sell out first.
- Arrive with the margin the ferry company asks for: with a vehicle, the boarding cut-off is strict.
- If the sea cancels the sailing, the ferry company will let you know and offer an alternative; write to us and we will help you change it according to the conditions of your fare.
- Keep your resident or children's documents to hand: they are checked on boarding to apply the fare.
Why book Civitavecchia to Olbia with I Love Ferry
- You compare Tirrenia and Grimaldi in a single search, with day and night sailings.
- You pay the ferry company's price and receive its booking reference.
- You can combine ferry companies on the outward and return trips if that suits you better.
- A Spanish-speaking team in Jávea is on hand, also if a sailing is cancelled.
Other ways to get to Sardinia from Rome
- Civitavecchia to Porto Torres ferry: if your destination is Alghero, Stintino or the north-west.
- Civitavecchia to Cagliari ferry: for the south of the island, with few sailings per week.
- Civitavecchia to Arbatax ferry: for the east coast.
- Genoa to Olbia ferry and Livorno to Olbia ferry: if you leave from northern Italy.
Frequently asked questions about the Civitavecchia to Olbia ferry
Any questions about your ferry?
Here are the questions travellers ask us most. If yours is not here, our team of real people helps you before, during and after your trip.
See all the frequently asked questions >>Is there a ferry from Civitavecchia to Olbia?
Yes, there are direct sailings all year with Tirrenia and, in summer, also with Grimaldi. They leave from the port of Civitavecchia and arrive at the port of Olbia.
How long does the ferry from Civitavecchia to Olbia take?
About eight hours, on both the day and the night sailing. The timetable on the page gives you the exact time of each sailing.
Which ferry company runs Civitavecchia to Olbia?
Tirrenia all year and Grimaldi Lines in summer only. Moby has the route on its website, but it is operated by Tirrenia.
Which is better, a day or a night sailing?
It depends on your plan: the night one lets you arrive in the early hours and make the most of the day, but you need a cabin to sleep; the day one is comfortable in an armchair seat.
Can you travel with a car from Civitavecchia to Olbia?
Yes. Say what type of vehicle you have when you search and you will see the price. Arrive 90 minutes ahead with Tirrenia and 2 hours at the latest with Grimaldi.
Can I take my dog?
Yes, by adding it to the ticket. Tirrenia and Grimaldi have cabins for animals; in common lounges they are not allowed except in a carrier and at the crew's discretion with Grimaldi.
What do I do if the sailing is cancelled because of bad weather?
The ferry company will let you know and offer you another sailing. Write to us with your booking reference and we will help you manage the change according to the conditions of your fare.
What document do I need to go to Sardinia from Civitavecchia?
Your Spanish DNI or a valid passport, original, for all travellers, children included. It is a domestic route within Italy, with no customs checks.
Do children get a discount on the ferry to Olbia?
Yes. Tirrenia: free up to age 4 and 50% from 4 to under 12. Grimaldi: free up to age 3 and 50% from 3 to 12.
Which port is best for reaching Sardinia from Rome?
Olbia, if you are heading to the north-east and the Costa Smeralda; Porto Torres, for Alghero and the north-west; Cagliari, for the south; and Arbatax, for the east coast. Choosing well saves hours on inland roads.
Ferry deals to Olbia
Right now there are no offers on this route. When a ferry company launches one, you will see it here. View all offers >>
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