- Must visit
Pinacoteca di Brera
One of Italy’s top art museums, featuring masterpieces by Mantegna, Bellini, Raphael, Caravaggio, and Piero della Francesca.
Cheapest price
$88
Average price
$88
Fastest journey
19 h 45 m
Average duration
19 h 45 m
Ferries per day
1
Distance
887 km
The best way to find a cheap ferry ticket from Palermo to Milan is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Palermo to Milan will cost around $88 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $88.
Of the 1 ferries that leave Palermo for Milan on Mon, Jul 20, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jul 20 the direct ferries cover the 887 km distance in an average of 19 h 45 m but if you time it right, some ferries will get you there in just 19 h 45 m .
On Mon, Jul 20 the slowest ferries will take 19 h 45 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
GNV Polaris
GNV PolarisOmio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Palermo to Milan among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the ferry with prices starting from $77. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 3m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.3 - 0.8kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a ferry costs an average of $77, and a train costs an average of $87.
Distance: 478 nautical miles (887 km)
| Ferry | Most popular Flight | Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$87 Average price Cheapest | $131 Average price | $129 Average price | $173 Average price | $129 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
21h 10m Average total duration 20h 10m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 5h 3m Average total duration Fastest 2h 3m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 19h 47m Average total duration 19h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 15h 45m Average total duration 15h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 25h 7m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
- CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | 0.9 - 2.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular ferry company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Palermo to Milan:
A ferry is $43 (€35) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Palermo to Milan costing on average $129 (€106).
A ferry is $44 (€36) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Palermo to Milan costing on average $131 (€108).
A ferry is $86 (€70) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Palermo to Milan costing on average $173 (€142).
Other travel options to Milan take longer:
Train takes on average 15h 15m.
Bus takes on average 19h 17m.
Ferry takes on average 20h 10m.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Sailing Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Gnv | Departure Time 11:15PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 19h45 | Sailing Days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun |
Operator Gnv | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 20h00 | Sailing Days Fri |
Operator Gnv | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 19h30 | Sailing Days Wed |
The table below shows live departures for Palermo to Milan ferries for today, Sunday, July 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GNV Orion | 11:15 PM Port of Palermo | 19h45 | 7:00 PM Port of Genoa | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last ferry of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, flight, and ferry prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Ferries from Palermo to Milan run on average 1 times per day, taking around 20h 10m. Cheap ferry tickets for this journey start at $77 (€63) but you can travel from only $23 (€19) by flight.
There are 1 ferries per day. The earliest ferry runs at 00:03, the last at 23:45. The fastest ferry covers the 478 nautical miles (887 km) distance in 19h 0m. There are 8 sailings per week. Ferries from Palermo to Milan are available to foot passengers.

Distance 478 nautical miles (887 km) |
Average sailing duration 20h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price $77 (€63) |
Ferries per day 1 |
Direct ferries Available |
Average weekly sailings 8 |
Fastest ferry 19h 0m |
First ferry 12:03 AM |
Last ferry 11:45 PM |
Cabins Available |
Vehicles Available |
Foot passengers Available |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 49 days |
Discover the best of Milan — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Milan trip today.
One of Italy’s top art museums, featuring masterpieces by Mantegna, Bellini, Raphael, Caravaggio, and Piero della Francesca.
This contemporary art museum near Porta Romana presents rotating exhibitions in a striking former industrial distillery complex.
Italy’s leading science museum is set in a former monastery and features Leonardo galleries, trains, aircraft, and a submarine.
Milan’s central square frames the cathedral and major civic buildings, making it the city’s essential meeting point and photo stop.
This artistic district offers charming lanes, Brera atmosphere, boutiques, and easy access to galleries and evening strolls.
A large landscaped park behind the castle, perfect for walks, skyline views, and reaching landmarks like the Arch of Peace.
Saffron risotto cooked with butter, stock and cheese. It is Milan's signature dish, linked to the city's love of rich northern Italian rice cookery.
Breaded veal cutlet fried in butter until golden. A classic Milanese main, prized for its simple preparation and long-standing local tradition.
Slow-braised veal shanks with vegetables, wine and broth, often finished with gremolata. A hearty Lombard specialty commonly paired with risotto.
Three-Michelin-star fine dining by Enrico Bartolini in MUDEC. Expect refined Italian tasting menus in a polished contemporary setting.
Historic Milanese restaurant near the Duomo, famous for risotto and cotoletta. Traditional, elegant rooms and a strong local culinary identity.
Long-running local favorite for classic Milanese cuisine, especially risotto and ossobuco. Warm, old-school atmosphere in the Brera area.
Moderate for Western Europe. Hotels and central dining can be pricey, but transit is affordable and budget meals, aperitivo deals, and local cafes help keep daily costs reasonable.
Tipping is modest. Service may be included. Round up or leave €1-2 at cafes, 5-10% for good restaurant service, and round up taxi fares.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Palermo to Milan by ferry. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest ferry, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Milan, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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