Boat tickets Tunis – Palerme

Yes: about ten hours across the Strait of Sicily, a night at sea, against twenty-four from Genoa and some thirty from Civitavecchia. Sicily and Tunisia have faced each other since antiquity, and that closeness still shows in the food and architecture of both shores. You board at the foot of Monte Pellegrino, a few streets from the Kalsa and the Ballarò markets.

The crossing runs overnight: you board in the evening and land at La Goulette the next morning. Over a single night a reclining seat remains viable, but a cabin markedly changes the arrival — especially if the day continues by road to Hammamet, Sousse or southern Tunisia. Vehicle spaces and cabins sell out fast in July and August.

La Goulette is ten kilometres from central Tunis and on the same headland as Carthage and Sidi Bou Saïd, minutes away. The A1 motorway runs south to Hammamet, Sousse and Sfax; the A4 and N8 head north-west to Bizerte. It is the country's single maritime entry point for European services: the whole Tunisian road network radiates from there.

Yes, and it is the route's main use: a night at sea and you are in North Africa with your vehicle. Dimensions are declared at booking. On arrival, Tunisian customs record the vehicle on the driver's passport, with the obligation to leave with it. Insurance covering Tunisia is required; failing that, a local policy is bought at La Goulette.

It is a relatively shallow passage between two Mediterranean basins, where wind can raise a short sea, especially under a sirocco from the south or a mistral coming down from the Gulf of Lion. Over about ten night hours the crossing generally stays bearable, and summer is markedly calmer than winter. The ships on this route are sized for mixed passenger and freight traffic.

The port adjoins the historic centre: the Kalsa, the cathedral, the Norman Palace and its Palatine Chapel are a few streets away. The Ballarò and Capo markets, with street food inherited from Arabs and Normans, close in the late afternoon — just before boarding. It is one of the few departures in the catalogue where waiting naturally happens in town, without transfer or taxi.

The TGM follows the coast to Tunis Marine in twenty minutes, calling at Carthage and Sidi Bou Saïd. By road, the A1 runs down to Hammamet, Sousse and Sfax, and the A4 heads up to Bizerte. As the port is the country's only European maritime entry point, everything starts there — including routes south, to Kairouan and the Sahel, which take half a day to a day's drive.

A valid passport is enough for EU nationals on a tourist stay, with no prior visa — a clear difference from the catalogue's Algerian links. The vehicle receives a temporary admission recorded on the driver's passport on arrival and must leave with them. Insurance covering Tunisia is required, failing which a local policy is bought at the port.

The ferry crossing from TUNIS to PALERME VILLE takes approximately 12h. This duration may vary slightly depending on weather conditions and the specific vessel used.

Expect from 150 € on foot to about 1100 € for a car with cabin. Three factors apply: season (+40 to 60 % in summer), how early you book (−30 to 40 % in advance) and accommodation type. Indicative 2026 fares, to be confirmed at booking.

For international ferry crossings, we recommend arriving at TUNIS at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure time. This allows sufficient time for check-in, security procedures, and vehicle boarding if applicable.

Yes, bookings can typically be modified or cancelled according to the ferry company's terms and conditions. Cancellation policies vary by operator and ticket type. Learn more about cancellation policies.