If you are planning a trip to Sardinia, taking the Genoa to Porto Torres overnight ferry with Tirrenia is a fun and convenient way to travel… especially if you’re bringing a car along for the ride.
We boarded the Tirrenia ferry in Genoa at 8:30pm, hire car and all. Driving straight onto the ferry was incredibly easy — smooth check in, a short wait in the vehicle queue and then we were on. Once we parked, we headed upstairs where we were handed our cabin key with no fuss at all. It was all surprisingly organised and calm, which made settling in even more enjoyable.
Now, here’s where things got a little funny. While we did pre-book a cabin for the overnight journey, we weren’t able to choose the cabin type. So when we opened the door and saw two sets of bunk beds… for just the two of us… it was honestly hilarious! It felt like we had time travelled back to school camp, minus the awkward teenage energy. We flipped a coin for who got the top bunk, but thankfully neither of us had to sleep up there!
Once we had settled into our surprise bunk bed setup, we headed to the à la carte dining room for dinner. The food was hearty and satisfying — classic Italian dishes served in a sit down restaurant with friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere. If you are after something quicker or more casual, the ferry also has a self-service restaurant, which is where breakfast is available the next morning.
Not everyone opts for a cabin, though. If you’re travelling on a tighter budget or just prefer to rough it a bit, you can book a reclining seat instead. Or — and we saw quite a few people do this — you can skip the booking altogether. Several travellers brought blankets and sleeping bags and simply set up camp in the open lounge areas or even in quiet hallways. It’s a “choose your own adventure” kind of ferry ride, depending on how much comfort you are after.
When we arrived in Porto Torres at 8:00am, the disembarkation process was just as breezy as boarding. We made our way back down to the car deck, hopped into our vehicle and drove straight off the ship onto Sardinian soil — ready for our next chapter on the road.
Final Thoughts
The Genoa to Porto Torres overnight ferry is a stress free and scenic way to travel between mainland Italy and Sardinia. It’s not the height of luxury — unless you consider bunk beds romantic — but it’s clean, convenient, and fun. Whether you’re road tripping through Sardinia or just want to avoid flying, this ferry offers a great alternative. But if you are looking for some luxury stays in the Italian Dolomites… check this one out!
