Portoferraio - Cavo
Ferries to Elba
Portoferraio - Cavo
Ferries to Elba
On the Portoferraio Cavo route, fares generally fall between $30* and $238*. On average, a Portoferraio Cavo ferry ticket costs around $119*, with the lowest Portoferraio Cavo fares starting at $30*. Foot passengers pay an average of $119*.
Actual fares depend on passenger numbers, vehicle type, chosen route and sailing time. Figures are based on fares searched over the past 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last refreshed August 26.
Compare fares, operators and sailing times from across the globe in one place, then book with confidence. Booking ahead is the easiest way to lock in a better price and a wider choice of departures.
Yes. Direct Ferries runs a number of discounts throughout the year. If a senior discount applies to your route, it's applied automatically once you select the right age range in the passenger options during your search.
Students and recent graduates can save 5% on their booking. Simply register with our partner Student Beans to verify your status, and you'll be issued a discount code to apply at checkout.
On several Spanish and Italian routes, residents can also access a discounted fare — look out for the "Residents" option during your search, which applies the reduced price automatically. Keep in mind you'll be asked to show proof of residency, such as a registration certificate or an ID card showing your address, at check-in.
Portoferraio Cavo sailings usually begin with a departure from Portoferraio at approximately 06:50, with the final sailing of the day leaving around 16:40.
Absolutely, the short crossing time and frequent daily sailings make Portoferraio to Cavo a popular choice for a day trip. If you can, bringing a vehicle lets you venture further afield once you arrive, on your own schedule.
Yes, Toremar operates car-friendly sailings between Portoferraio and Cavo. Use our Deal Finder to check live pricing for taking a vehicle on this route.
Whether a campervan or caravan is permitted on the Portoferraio to Cavo crossing depends on the ship and operator running your preferred sailing. Enter your travel details into our Deal Finder, and we'll compare the operators on this route to confirm your options.
Yes, Toremar welcomes bicycles on the Portoferraio to Cavo crossing. Bikes are accepted by most ferry operators, though it's worth confirming the specific policy in advance so there are no surprises at the terminal.
Yes, Toremar accepts foot passengers on sailings between Portoferraio and Cavo.
Pets currently aren't permitted on board ferries between Portoferraio and Cavo. Try our Deal Finder to search for alternative routes that do accommodate pets.
Even though pets aren't permitted on this route, guide dogs and assistance dogs are often subject to separate rules. Speak with our customer service team to check the specific policy for your sailing, or see our Special Assistance Help page for more information.
Overnight sailings on the Portoferraio to Cavo route aren't guaranteed and depend on a range of factors. Run a search with your travel details and our results will show whether an overnight option is available, along with current timetables, crossing times, and day-sailing alternatives.
Bear in mind that overnight crossings can run a little longer than their daytime equivalents.
Document requirements aren't the same on every route, so it's worth confirming what you'll need before you travel. A valid passport is generally required for the Portoferraio to Cavo crossing, alongside any visas or national ID your nationality calls for. Exact requirements depend on your citizenship and the rules of your destination country, so for the latest guidance and to avoid delays at check-in, take a look at our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide.
Booking is straightforward: enter your departure and arrival ports along with your travel date to pull up every available sailing and fare. You can also browse alternative routes and departure times to find the option that works best for you.
Keep an eye out for early-booking savings and flexible ticket types, including upgrades or flexi-fares that let you amend or cancel later on. For a hassle-free booking, double-check the details you enter, such as passenger numbers and any vehicle specifications.
As soon as your booking is confirmed, you'll get a confirmation email. Exactly how your boarding pass is issued after that depends on which operator you've booked with.
Some operators send your boarding pass out the moment you book, while others require check-in at the port itself. Where it's offered, online check-in is also available through the Direct Ferries app, saving you a step at the terminal.
You'll typically find the ticket desk close to the ferry terminal itself. It's a good idea to arrive a little early so you have plenty of time to collect your tickets and get checked in without rushing.
At check-in, have your confirmation email ready along with valid photo ID, such as a passport or identity card. If you're travelling with a pet, bring along their vaccination and insurance paperwork, and if you booked using a resident discount, be prepared to show proof of address too.
A few things can explain a lack of sailings on your chosen date: a temporary schedule change, limited space, or a seasonal shift in the timetable are the most common. It's worth trying a nearby date or exploring alternative routes using our Route & Port finder.
As a rule, the earlier you book your Portoferraio to Cavo ferry, the better. Booking ahead tends to secure lower fares along with a wider pick of departure times and cabin or seating options.
Aim to book at least a few weeks ahead to make the most of the best available offers, keeping in mind that fares can shift depending on the season and how much space is left.
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| Portoferraio - Cavo Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $119 | |
| Portoferraio - Cavo Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Elba |
| Destination | Elba |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Toremar |
| Average Price | $119 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 2 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 15 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 15 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 15 m |
| First Ferry | 06:50 |
| Last Ferry | 16:40 |
| Distance | 7 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 August 2026.
The Italian town of Portoferraio is located in the Province of Livorno, on the edge of the harbour on the island of Elba. The town's name is derived from the Italian for "Iron Port", after the iron mills in and around the city. It is because of these mills that facilitated the city's growth during the 19th century. During this period the town became the main shipping port of profitable iron ore towards the mainland. Thanks to Napoleon's stay, as he was exiled in Elba in 1814 after his defeats in Europe and his forced abdication, Portoferraio and the entire island enjoyed an age of glory.
Arriving from the sea, Portoferraio seems like a bay, protected from pirates by it bastions which provide shelter from the sea. One of the most popular tourist attractions in the town are its ancient bastions and historic walls, which are fairly well preserved, and were built to provide protection to the town. Located nearby is the hamlet of Le Grotte, where visitors can see remains of a Roman villa dating back to the Imperial period. Until 1960, the ruins were covered by shrubs and plants, but excavation showed the extent of the complex with wall sin opus reticulatum, large terraces overlooking the sea and a pool with heating and water cycle system.
Ferry services from the town's harbour depart to Plombino, Bastia and Cavo.
The town and port of Cavo is located on the Italian island of Elba, the largest of the island in the Tuscan Archipelago and Italy's third largest, after Sardinia and Sicily. It also forms the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago, Europe's largest marine park, along with Giglio, Giannutri and Montecristo. The island is perhaps most famous for harbouring French Emperor Napoleon in 1814 during his exile, although the island's history goes back much further than this. It dates back to prehistory with the Ilvati tribe from Liguria who named the island Ilva and then later inhabited by the Etruscans and then later still by the Romans who liked the island because of its rich deposits of iron ore and its mud baths. The island's archaeological findings, contained in its museums, the impressive fortresses and military buildings such as Castello del Volterraio and the beautiful Napoleonic residences of the 1800's such as Palazzina dei Mulini all bear testament to the island's past.
