Elba ferries
Ferries to Elba
Compare the three crossings from Piombino and pick the port closest to where you are staying
- Piombino to Portoferraio: 40 to 60 minutes by vessel type, all year
- Piombino to Cavo: the shortest crossing, for north-eastern Elba
- Piombino to Rio Marina: about 45 minutes to the east coast
The crossings to Elba
The three regular feeder routes from Piombino with sailing time, operator and timetable.
Prices for a car incl. driver, one way
Route map
Ferry routes to Elba
All three regular ferry routes from Piombino to the island of Elba. Select a line for sailing time and operator.
- Toremar
- Blu Navy
- Moby Lines
Toremar40 minutes
Check prices →Blu Navy1 hour
Check prices →Moby Lines1 hour
Check prices →Toremar15 minutes
Check prices →Toremar45 minutes
Check prices →Route guide
Which ferry to Elba suits you?
The crossings by arrival port
Elba lies about twelve nautical miles off the Tuscan coast. The mainland gateway is Piombino: from there ferries call at Portoferraio, Cavo and Rio Marina - the three Elba destinations named by the port authority. All three run year-round and carry vehicles. The choice is therefore less about price than about geography: which port is closest to where you are staying?
Piombino to Portoferraio, the main route
Portoferraio is Elba's largest port and the choice for the west and the centre of the island. Toremar, Moby and Blu Navy sail here all year, joined by Corsica Ferries in summer. Crossing time depends on the vessel: about 40 minutes on the Toremar fast craft, around an hour on the conventional ferries. Blu Navy states roughly 60 minutes for its own service and up to 24 departures a day at peak times. Full detail on the Piombino to Portoferraio page.
Piombino to Cavo, the shortest crossing
Cavo sits on Elba's north-eastern tip and is the closest port to the mainland. Toremar runs the route all year and it is the shortest of the three crossings. It makes sense if your destination is in the north-east - for Portoferraio and the west you still have a fair drive afterwards.
Piombino to Rio Marina, the east coast
Toremar reaches Rio Marina on the east coast in about 45 minutes. It is the shortest approach for eastern Elba around Rio nell'Elba and Porto Azzurro. Departures are less frequent than to Portoferraio, so check the timetable before you commit.
Car, motorbike or on foot?
Elba is not a car-free island: all three feeder routes are vehicle ferries, and for many visitors the crossing is simply the last leg of a road trip. What the booking needs - vehicle class, length and height, trailer or roof load - and when to be at the terminal is covered in the car ferry guide. Without a vehicle you are more flexible: foot passengers board later, and Piombino Marittima station is right in front of the port.
Where Elba ferries do not leave from
A few departure ports come up again and again and none of them works. There is no regular Elba crossing from Livorno; Livorno serves Corsica and Sardinia. Naples, Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi are on the wrong coast and serve the Campanian islands. Whichever of those you started from, the way to Elba always runs through Piombino.
FAQ Elba ferries
Frequently asked questions
The questions worth settling before you sail to Elba.
Where do ferries to Elba leave from?+
Every regular ferry to Elba leaves from Piombino in Tuscany. The port authority lists Cavo, Portoferraio and Rio Marina as the Elba destinations. There is no regular Elba crossing from Livorno, Naples or the Amalfi coast.
Which Elba port should I choose?+
Portoferraio is the main arrival port and the right choice for most stays: Toremar, Moby and Blu Navy sail there all year, with Corsica Ferries added in summer. Cavo and Rio Marina serve the north-east and the east coast and are operated by Toremar. If your accommodation is on that side, they save you the drive across the island.
Can I bring a car?+
Yes. Elba is not a car-free island and all three crossings from Piombino are vehicle ferries. How to book the vehicle correctly and when to be at the terminal is covered in the car ferry guide.
How long is the crossing?+
To Portoferraio it takes 40 to 60 minutes depending on the vessel; Toremar runs a fast craft alongside the conventional ferry. Cavo is quicker, Rio Marina takes about 45 minutes. The sailing time of your specific departure is shown in the timetable.
Do I need to book in advance?+
In summer yes, especially with a vehicle. The routes run all year, but popular sailings fill up early in high season. Check live availability for your date and book the return leg at the same time.