Ferries from Tunisia to Italy: tickets, routes, prices

Get ready to cross the seas to a land of history, culture and splendid landscapes. Italy offers a rare array of ancient remains and fascinating monuments that testify to the country’s unique and diverse history, relics of the Roman Empire and different eras of Europe.

With many conveniently located ports, Italy enjoys plenty of connections by sea, especially from Tunisia! In this article, we will share some practical information (prices, timetables, shipping companies) on how to reach the Italian coast from Tunisia and discover, at your own pace, this truly exciting country. Make yourself comfortable and enjoy your journey across the peaceful waters of the Mediterranean!

Article overview:

• Ferry routes from Tunisia to Italy
• Ferry companies for a crossing from Tunisia to Italy
• Can I take my car on ferries from Tunisia to Italy?
• Are pets allowed on board?
• Why go to Italy by ferry?
• Travel tips
• Book a ticket for a ferry from Tunisia to Italy

Ferry routes from Tunisia to Italy

The Italian ports, like Palermo’s, are vibrant with the Mediterranean culture. Source: Pixels.

Ferries are an excellent way of getting from one country to another, and are the easiest way to cross the Tyrrhenian Sea, with or without a car. Italy is one of the countries best served by ferry from Tunisia, with a large number of strategically located ports, depending on whether you want to go to a specific Italian region, France or the Balkans.

Here is a short list of possible routes to Italy from Tunisia by ferry:

• Ferry from Tunis to Genoa
• Ferry from Tunis to Civitavecchia
• Ferry from Tunis to Salerno
• Ferry from Tunis to Palermo

Tunis to Palermo

The dome of the Chiesa di San Giuseppe dei Teatini church dominates Palermo’s urban landscape. Source : Freepik

When you dock in Palermo, you’ll be entering Italy through one of its most emblematic and popular regions: Sicily. The island hosts many vestiges of ancient Greece and the Roman Empire, and boasts splendid Mediterranean landscapes.

Stroll through Palermo’s maze of streets in search of delicious arancini, and push open the doors of hidden churches with their majestic interiors!

Information about this route:

• Ferry companies: Grand Navi Veloci, Grimaldi Lines
• Frequency: between 2 and 4 times a week throughout the year
• Journey duration: approx. 12 hours
• Price: between 30 and 150 euros depending on the season, ticket class, on-board amenities and whether you are traveling with a car.

Tunis to Salerno

Salerno, a city between mountain and sea. Source: visitanapoles.com

Located 50 minutes south of Naples, Salerno is a coastal town between sea and mountains. Here you’ll find magnificent churches, breathtaking surroundings and the impressive Castello di Arechi. This 8th-century fortress built by Prince Arechi II overlooks the town and the bay.

Information about this route:

• Ferry company: Grimaldi Lines
• Frequency: 2 times a week in low season, 4 times a week in high season
• Journey duration: approx. 24 hours
• Price: between 45 and 161 euros depending on the season, ticket class, on-board amenities and whether you are traveling with a car.

Tunis to Civitavecchia

Just an hour away from Rome, Civitavecchia offers a typical Italian landscape and is home to relics from another era. Source: Pexels

The port of Civitavecchia, about an hour away from Rome, is an excellent choice if you want to get to the Italian capital or to another part of the country. The town is home to various relics of ancient times, including the Thermes Taurins, dating back to the Roman Empire.

Information about this route:

• Ferry companies: Grand Navi Veloci, Grimaldi Lines
• Frequency: 2 times a week with an evening departure, all year round
• Journey duration: approx. 19 hours, arrival next day
• Price: between 65 and 500 euros per person, depending on the season, ticket class, on-board amenities and whether you are traveling with a car.

Tunis to Genoa

The port of Genoa is a gateway for ferries between Tunisia and Italy. Source: iStock

Situated on the border with France, the port of Genoa is an excellent option if you wish to visit France or continue your journey to European countries further north. Considered by many to be a real treasure of Northern Italy, it is only two hours from Milan and offers a wide range of exquisite restaurants.

Information about this route:

• Ferry companies: Grand Navi Veloci, CTN Ferries
• Frequency: 2 to 3 times a week in low season, 4 to 6 times a week in high season
• Journey duration: approx. 22 hours, arrival the following day
• Price: between 86 and 600 euros per person, depending on the season, ticket class, on-board amenities and whether you are traveling with a car.

Ferry companies for a crossing from Tunisia to Italy

The Tyrrhenian Sea crossing is offered by the three major operators mentioned above. Here are a few more details about these companies to help you make the right choice when booking your ferry ticket on Ferryscanner.

Grimaldi Lines

Grimaldi Lines is a well-known Italian shipping company, specializing in the transport of passengers, freight and vehicles across the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. With a modern, eco-efficient fleet, it connects key destinations in Europe and Africa with comfort and reliability. Offering pleasant crossings and top-quality services, Grimaldi Lines is the ideal choice for worry-free sea travel.

CTN Ferries

CTN Ferries (Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation) is the main maritime operator linking Tunisia to Europe, particularly France and Italy. Offering comfortable crossings and reliable service, it transports passengers, vehicles and goods in complete safety. With its modern fleet, CTN Ferries is the preferred choice for travel between Europe and North Africa.

Gran Navi Veloci

Gran Navi Veloci (GNV) is an Italian shipping company specializing in the transport of passengers, vehicles and goods in the Mediterranean. With a modern fleet and quality services, it provides comfortable crossings to Italy, France, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco and Albania. GNV combines reliability and hospitality for a pleasant travel experience at sea.

Can I take my car on the Tunisia-Italy ferry?

Of course you can! Conditions and prices depend on your vehicle and the shipping company you wish to travel with, but it is perfectly possible to take your car.

This makes it all the easier for you to take your personal belongings with you, meaning you no longer have to stress about airline’s ever more stringent luggage policies!

It’s also important to note that the price of the car crossing does not depend on the number of people on the reservation! So whether you’re one person or the whole family, the price of your car crossing will generally be the same.

Are pets allowed on board?

Your furry friends follow you wherever you go! Even across the seas. Source: iStock.

Yes, in most cases, shipping companies allow your furry friends to travel with you. On Tunisia-Italy ferry trips, the above-mentioned companies welcome them with great pleasure. Please note that some companies require you to declare the presence of your pet at the time of booking.

Your companion may also have to travel in a pet area. Dogs are asked to wear a muzzle, and cats must not leave their carrier. Be sure to bring your pet’s documents with you, and check that all vaccinations are up to date.

Why go to Italy by ferry?

As we’ve just said, one of the advantages of traveling by ferry is that you can make the crossing with your car! But that’s not the only reason to choose a ferry over other means of transport. Here are a few more to whet your appetite:

• Extend your vacation: taking a ferry with family or friends can be an exciting experience to share! An exceptional moment that makes the journey an integral part of the trip.
• Convenience: ferry tickets are often cheaper for a group of people with a car, especially if booked in advance.
• Breathtaking views: during the crossing, you can enjoy a marine spectacle that only the ocean can offer.
• Flexibility: shipping lines offer a variety of schedules throughout the week.
• A greener journey: for a destination inaccessible by land, the ferry is the only alternative to the plane, and emits less carbon dioxide than flying.

Travel tips

Booking a ferry from Tunisia to Italy is pleasant and practical! However, we recommend that you follow a few tips to ensure that your trip goes smoothly.

• Try to book your tickets well in advance to guarantee the best seats on the Tunisia-Italy ferries, which are very popular during the summer.
• As this is an international crossing of Europe, arrive at the port at least one hour before your departure time, so that you can complete boarding procedures without stress.
• A valid passport or EU ID card is required to enter the European Union. Don’t forget the whole family’s passports, or you’ll have to stay behind!
• During the crossing, always follow the crew’s instructions and pay attention to safety instructions. Remember to keep your personal belongings under control at all times, and if you’re traveling with vehicles, make sure they’re securely fastened in the ferry garage.

Book your Tunisia-Italy ferry tickets easily with Ferryscanner

Are you packed and ready to go? Have you chosen your preferred itinerary and thought about the wonders you’re going to discover? Then all you have to do is book your ticket!

Book your ferry tickets easily on the Ferryscanner app or website, with the option of sailing with several shipping companies in a single booking.