Ferry to Tunisia
Salerno - Tunis
With Grimaldi Lines from Campania across the Mediterranean to Tunis - cabin, vehicle and pets can travel too
- Grimaldi Lines sails direct from Salerno to Tunis twice a week - Mondays and Saturdays
- Overnight crossing of around 24 hours from the Gulf of Salerno to La Goulette
- Cars, motorhomes and motorbikes on board - entry with passport and vehicle customs papers
Salerno - Tunis
Overnight from Campania to Tunis
The Salerno - Tunis route links Campania on the Gulf of Salerno directly with the Tunisian capital. Grimaldi Lines sails twice a week - Mondays and Saturdays - across the Mediterranean, arriving after around a day at the port of La Goulette near Tunis. As the crossing runs overnight, it's best to book a cabin or a reclining seat.
Grimaldi's cruise ferries operate this route, carrying cars, motorhomes and motorbikes on the vehicle deck. Tunisia is outside the EU: you'll need a passport to enter, and you register your vehicle online in advance with Tunisian customs. La Goulette is only a few kilometres from central Tunis and is well connected by light rail and motorway.
- Crossing time
- approx. 24 hrs
- Operator
- Grimaldi Lines
- Frequency
- 2× a week (Mon & Sat)
- Price from
- €40
Next departures
Route guide
Ferry Salerno - Tunis at a glance
Everything about the Salerno - Tunis route with Grimaldi Lines: getting to the Stazione Marittima at Molo Manfredi, check-in and border formalities for Tunisia, life on board Grimaldi's cruise ferries, plus vehicle, pet and onward travel information from La Goulette.
Getting to the terminal in Salerno
Grimaldi Lines departs from the Stazione Marittima in Salerno, at Molo Manfredi, 84121 Salerno. The distinctive terminal building sits right in the city harbour, just a few minutes' walk from the old town and the Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Salerno is the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, which begins just west of the port; Naples is around 55 kilometres away.
By car, you can reach the port via the motorway from Naples and southern Italy; follow signs in the city to the Porto and Stazione Marittima. Travelling without a vehicle, the train is a comfortable option: Salerno Centrale station is around two kilometres from the terminal and is a stop for long-distance and regional trains, with the final stretch to the port covered on foot or by taxi.
Check-in and border formalities
For sailings to Tunis, you need to check in at the Stazione Marittima at least four hours before departure, with or without a vehicle; check-in is handled by Grimaldi staff at the maritime station. After this deadline there's no right to travel, even with a valid booking. Allow for queues during the high season.
As Tunisia is not part of the EU, you need a valid passport, valid for at least six months from your date of entry; an ID card is not accepted. No visa is required for tourist stays for many nationalities; how long you can stay visa-free depends on your passport, so check the requirements for your own before you travel. If you're travelling with a vehicle, register in advance via the Smart Traveller platform with Tunisian customs and get a QR code, which you present on arrival in La Goulette.
On board
On the roughly day-long crossing, Grimaldi Lines operates cruise ferries such as the Cruise Catania. As at least one night passes between departure and arrival, it's best to book a berth: choose from inside and outside cabins of various sizes, or reclining seats. Take anything important such as documents, medication and clothing with you to your cabin, as the vehicle deck stays closed during the crossing.
Plan the night on board with care: your own cabin means you arrive in Tunis well rested, while a reclining seat is the cheaper option for travellers without high comfort needs.
Vehicle, motorhome and pets
The ferries carry cars, motorbikes, motorhomes and caravans; give the exact dimensions when booking, including any roof box or bike rack, as they determine the fare. To enter with your own vehicle, a three-month temporary import permit is issued on arrival and noted in your passport; the vehicle must be exported again, and selling it in Tunisia without paying customs duty is not permitted. You'll also need third-party vehicle insurance valid in Tunisia and the QR code from your Smart Traveller registration. Details for travelling with a motorhome are in the guide Motorhome.
Dogs and cats can travel: small pets go in a carrier, and larger pets can have a pet cabin for a surcharge; register your pet when booking. Certain dog breeds such as Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Tosa, Mastiff and Boerboel are not allowed on the ferries to Tunisia. An EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination are compulsory for entry. How to travel with a pet is summarised in the guide Dog and pet travel.
Arrival in La Goulette and onward travel
The ferry docks at La Goulette, the port of Tunis at the end of the Lake of Tunis. From the port, the road crosses the causeway straight into the capital, whose centre is only a few kilometres away. After docking you go through passport and customs control, presenting the QR code from your customs registration.
Without your own car, you can reach Tunis via the TGM light rail, which links La Goulette with the city centre and the suburbs of Carthage and Sidi Bou Saïd. With a vehicle, the motorway gets you quickly into Tunis and onward towards Hammamet, Sousse or the south of the country.
Tickets and fares
Grimaldi Lines doesn't publish fixed entry-level prices; the booking window shows what your crossing will cost for your travel date. The price depends on the season, the cabin or seat category you choose, and your vehicle - and as a sleeping berth is worth having on the overnight crossing, factor the accommodation in from the start. You'll usually pay least by booking early and travelling outside the summer months.
The route runs all year round, twice a week, usually Mondays and Saturdays; exact departures are in the timetable.
FAQ Salerno - Tunis
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Salerno - Tunis ferry with Grimaldi Lines
How long does the ferry from Salerno to Tunis take?+
Depending on the ship and schedule, the crossing from Salerno to Tunis takes around 23 to 26 hours, roughly a day on average. That means at least one night passes between departure and arrival.
As you're travelling overnight, it's best to book a cabin or a reclining seat. The exact crossing time for your sailing depends on the ship in service and the season.
How often and on which days does the ferry run? Where can I find the timetable?+
Grimaldi Lines operates the route twice a week, usually on Mondays and Saturdays. Exact departure times shift with the season, so it's worth checking the current timetable before booking.
As spaces for vehicles and cabins are limited, it's best to book early during the summer high season.
How much does the Salerno - Tunis ferry cost?+
Measured by the passenger fare, Salerno - Tunis with Grimaldi Lines is the cheapest route to Tunisia; a vehicle adds a surcharge. The booking window will show the exact price for your travel date, as it depends on the season, cabin or seat category, and vehicle. All routes are compared on the prices page.
You'll usually pay less by booking early and travelling outside the summer months. As a sleeping berth is worth having on this overnight crossing, factor the cabin into your plans from the start.
Can I bring my car or motorhome?+
Yes, cars, motorbikes, motorhomes and caravans travel on the vehicle deck. Give the exact dimensions when booking, including any roof box or bike rack, as they determine the fare. The vehicle deck is closed during the crossing, so take anything you need with you to your cabin.
To enter Tunisia, you register your vehicle online in advance with Tunisian customs (the Smart Traveller platform) and receive a QR code for arrival in La Goulette. Details for motorhome travellers are in the guide Motorhome.
Can I bring my pet on board?+
Yes, dogs and cats can travel. Small pets travel in a carrier, while larger pets can have a pet cabin for a surcharge; register your pet when booking. Certain dog breeds (including Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Tosa, Mastiff and Boerboel) are not allowed on the ferries to Tunisia.
You'll need an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination for the journey. Everything else that applies for entry with a pet is summarised in the guide Dog and pet travel.
What documents do I need to enter Tunisia?+
You need a valid passport, valid for at least six months from your date of entry - for every person, including children. An ID card is not accepted for Tunisia. No visa is required for tourist stays for many nationalities; how long you can stay visa-free depends on your passport, so check the requirements for your own.
If you're entering with your own vehicle, a three-month temporary import permit is issued on arrival and noted in your passport; the vehicle must be exported again. Online registration with Tunisian customs, including the QR code, is also compulsory.