Sail between mainland Europe, Mediterranean islands and North Africa with GNV routes serving Sicily, Sardinia, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, Albania and Algeria.
Choose your departure port, destination, date and vehicle requirements to compare available GNV sailings.
GNV operates a large seasonal network. Confirm the exact ports, ship, sailing time, customs requirements and check-in deadline shown for your selected departure.
Grandi Navi Veloci, usually shortened to GNV, is a major Mediterranean passenger and freight ferry operator. Its current consumer network reaches well beyond its original Genoa base, combining domestic Italian links with international services to Spain, France, Morocco, Tunisia, Albania and Algeria.
For travellers, GNV is particularly relevant when a car, motorcycle, camper or motorhome is central to the trip. Many routes are long enough for private cabins, numbered Pullman seating and substantial onboard facilities to matter, making the journey more like an overnight sea passage than a short shuttle.
The 2026 route programme spans Sicily and Sardinia, Morocco and Tunisia, the Balearic Islands, Bari–Durrës and North African services from French, Spanish and Italian ports. Individual routes are seasonal, and international journeys can involve passport, customs and border formalities that require substantially earlier arrival than domestic crossings. GNV announced GNV Pegasus as its 29th vessel in 2026, while new LNG ships GNV Virgo and GNV Aurora strengthen the Italy–Spain–Morocco network. Vessel assignment remains date-dependent.
Planning note: GNV publishes a broad network with seasonal additions and route changes. Use the route map for orientation, then rely on the live booking result for the definitive departure port, arrival port, operating date and vessel.
GNV operates far more routes than can be sensibly shown as cards. These six representative links cover its main travel markets; the detailed map below provides the wider network context for Sicily, Sardinia, Morocco, Tunisia, Spain, Albania and Algeria.
One of GNV’s defining routes links northern Italy with Sicily. Palermo–Genoa is described by the operator as a journey of around 20 hours, making cabins and overnight planning especially relevant.
The Genoa–Tangier service provides a direct long-distance link from Italy to Morocco, attractive to travellers bringing a car and substantial luggage for an extended journey.
Bari–Durrës gives GNV an Adriatic link between southern Italy and Albania, suited to passengers combining ferry travel with onward driving through the Balkans.
This schematic summarises the three representative current route groups described above. It is not a complete network map or timetable; the live operator booking result is definitive.
For planning with Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), use the map to compare the representative route groups above, including Genoa–Palermo, Genoa–Tangier, Bari–Durrës. It is most useful for judging which departure or arrival point best fits the rest of the journey rather than as a substitute for the live timetable.
After choosing the most practical route, compare the live Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) sailing for departure time, calling pattern, passenger requirements and the facilities or accommodation shown for that service. The complete itinerary and arrival location can matter more than a small difference in the headline fare.
GNV routes and frequencies can change by season, port and operating programme. Use the live booking result to confirm the exact departure port, arrival port, vessel and sailing time for your travel date.
GNV’s network is unusually broad. These ports illustrate three common journey types: a major mainland hub, an island arrival and a Sardinian gateway for vehicle touring.
Genoa is GNV’s key northern Italian hub, with routes towards Sicily, Sardinia, Morocco, Tunisia and Spain. Its motorway position also makes it practical for drivers arriving from France, Switzerland and northern Europe.
Explore Genoa and ferry destinations
Palermo is both a major city destination and a gateway to western Sicily. Bringing your own vehicle can make onward touring towards Cefalù, Trapani, Agrigento and the island interior much simpler.
Explore Palermo and ferry destinations
Porto Torres is well placed for northern and western Sardinia, including Stintino, Alghero and the Asinara area. It works particularly well for travellers arriving with a car, motorcycle or motorhome.
Explore Porto Torres and ferry destinationsCheck the exact port: GNV serves several destinations through more than one mainland gateway, and Sicily services can use Palermo city or Termini Imerese. The booked terminal matters for transfers and driving time.
Many GNV journeys are long enough for accommodation choice to shape the trip. The exact mix varies by vessel, but the network supports everything from deck passage and Pullman seats to private cabins and premium categories.
Numbered reclining seating offers a middle ground between deck passage and a private cabin. Seat allocation is shown on the boarding pass.
Best considered forTravellers who want a reserved place without paying for a private cabinInside cabins provide a private air-conditioned room with beds, linen and a bathroom with shower, without a sea-view window.
Best considered forOvernight rest and privacy at a lower cabin priceOutside cabins add natural light and a porthole or window while retaining the same basic privacy and bathroom facilities.
Best considered forCouples and families who value natural light and a viewSelected vessels offer premium, deluxe or suite categories with additional space and upgraded facilities. Availability is ship-specific.
Best considered forLonger crossings where extra space and comfort matterDedicated pet cabins let eligible dogs and cats share cabin space with their owners and include access to a designated outdoor area.
Best considered forPassengers who want an eligible pet to share private accommodationDedicated cabins for passengers with reduced mobility are limited and should be arranged directly with GNV as early as possible.
Best considered forPassengers who need adapted accommodation and easier onboard accessBook comfort early: popular overnight sailings can sell out of the most useful cabin types before the vehicle deck itself is full, particularly in summer and on North African routes.
GNV’s larger ferries are designed for medium and long-distance journeys, with food, lounges, shopping and family facilities that vary by ship and route.
Depending on the vessel, options can include table-service restaurants, self-service dining, pizzeria, bistro and bars.
Bars and café-style spaces provide drinks, snacks and somewhere informal to spend time during the crossing.
GNV markets onboard connectivity as Sea-Fi. Coverage, speed and packages depend on the ship and location at sea.
Indoor public spaces complement reserved accommodation and are useful when travelling by day or waiting for meal service.
Selected ships provide children’s areas and leisure spaces; exact facilities differ across GNV’s varied fleet.
Onboard shops are available on relevant vessels, with range and opening times dependent on the route and customs status.
Facilities vary significantly between ships. The vessel assigned to your sailing is the best guide to the exact restaurants, lounges, entertainment and accommodation available.
For many passengers, GNV’s main advantage over flying is the ability to bring a vehicle, substantial luggage and—when correctly booked—a pet on the same journey.
Book the true dimensions and category of the vehicle. GNV can measure vehicles at check-in and apply fare differences if the booking is inaccurate.
Larger recreational vehicles consume more garage space. Some Sicily routes also advertise specialised camping-on-board products on selected services.
Add pets to the ticket and choose an authorised kennel, outdoor area or pet-friendly cabin where offered. Carry the required health documentation.
LPG- and methane-powered vehicles must be declared to boarding staff and are parked in designated areas according to the operator’s safety procedures.
Arrival time depends heavily on whether the journey is domestic, within the EU/Schengen area or an international route involving border and customs formalities.
Names, identity information, registration number, vehicle make, model and dimensions should match the actual journey.
Some routes issue boarding passes electronically; others use online check-in only to pre-register details before in-person checks.
GNV’s current FAQ says two hours before departure for passengers with vehicles and one hour for passengers travelling without a vehicle.
Morocco, Tunisia and Albania journeys involve more extensive document and border procedures. Some port-specific guidance asks international vehicle passengers to arrive even earlier.
The garage is closed to passengers while the ferry is at sea, so remove medication, chargers, passports, valuables and overnight essentials before leaving the vehicle.
GNV is especially useful when the destination is easier with your own vehicle. A car or motorhome can turn Sicily, Sardinia, Morocco, Tunisia or the Balkans into a road trip without the cost and restrictions of flying and then hiring another vehicle.
On the longer routes, accommodation becomes part of the transport decision. A private cabin costs more than deck passage or a Pullman seat, but it can transform an overnight journey by providing privacy, a bed and a private shower before arrival.
International North African routes need the most preparation. Check passports and visas, vehicle paperwork, pet documents and the port arrival deadline well before travel. The driving advantage of taking your own vehicle is greatest when you avoid a rushed or incomplete border process.
GNV operates a broad Mediterranean passenger network covering Sicily, Sardinia, Morocco, Tunisia, the Balearic Islands, Albania and Algeria, with departure ports in Italy, France and Spain. The exact route programme is seasonal and should be checked for the intended travel date.
Yes. Genoa to Palermo is one of GNV’s core Sicily services. The operator describes Palermo–Genoa as an overnight and daytime sea journey of around 20 hours, although the live timetable is the definitive source for each departure.
Yes. GNV carries cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and other correctly booked passenger vehicles. Vehicle dimensions and registration details must be accurate, and commercial goods vehicles require freight arrangements rather than a normal passenger ticket.
GNV’s current FAQ says passengers on domestic and EU journeys should normally arrive two hours before departure with a vehicle and one hour before departure without one. For non-Schengen routes such as Morocco, Tunisia and Albania, the stated check-in time is four hours before departure. Individual ports can publish longer recommendations, especially for international vehicle traffic.
Yes, online check-in is available on supported routes. Depending on the itinerary, it may issue boarding passes electronically or simply pre-register passenger and vehicle information before document and customs checks at the port.
Depending on the ship and route, choices can include deck passage, numbered Pullman seats, inside and sea-view cabins, premium or deluxe accommodation and suites. Standard cabins include private bathroom facilities, and most cabins are sold for exclusive use unless a shared-berth option is specifically chosen.
Yes. Pets must be added to the booking. Dogs and cats can use dedicated areas and selected pet-friendly cabins; other small animals travel in suitable passenger-provided carriers. Pets are not generally permitted in ordinary cabins, Pullman seating areas or indoor public lounges.
GNV provides assistance and dedicated accessible cabins on relevant ships. The company asks passengers to make contact preferably five days in advance and no later than 48 working hours before departure, and to arrange port assistance where required.
No. Passengers cannot remain in their vehicle during normal crossings and the garage is inaccessible while the ship is at sea. Take medication, documents, valuables and anything needed during the voyage before leaving the vehicle deck.
They can be accepted when properly declared. GNV states that LPG- and methane-powered vehicles must be reported to staff during boarding so they can be parked in the appropriate area of the ferry garage.
Check current routes, dates, accommodation and vehicle availability for your GNV journey.
Wide Mediterranean network
Cabins & overnight comfort
Cars, motorcycles & motorhomes
