Getting across
The ferry from Palau to La Maddalena
Two companies, a crossing of about 15–20 minutes and sailings day and night. Times, 2026 fares and the landing fee, in one place.
Who runs the ferry
- Delcomar: all year, with departures every 30–60 minutes through the day and night sailings after midnight. Tickets at the Palau office (daily 06:00–21:30) or online at booking.delcomar.it.
- Maddalena Lines (Caronte & Tourist): 1 April to 31 October. From Palau roughly hourly 08:50–18:45 in spring and late October, every 30–60 minutes 08:15–19:15 in June, July and September, until 20:15 in August. Tickets online, in the app, at the port or from travel agents.
Both leave from the ferry terminal on Piazza del Molo in the centre of Palau, and both carry cars and motorbikes.
Fares 2026 (Delcomar)
| Ticket | Summer single | Summer return | Winter single | Winter return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (foot passenger) | €4.70 | €8.70 | €4.10 | €7.80 |
| Child 4–11 | €3.70 | €7.30 | €3.50 | €6.90 |
| Car up to 4 m | €10.20 | €20.00 | €10.00 | €19.60 |
| Car over 4 m | €12.20 | €24.30 | €11.80 | €23.20 |
| Scooter / motorbike up to 250 cc | €5.80 | €11.40 | €5.80 | €11.40 |
| Bicycle | €2.20 | €4.00 | €2.20 | €4.00 |
Summer 1 June – 30 September, winter 1 October – 31 May. Children under 4 travel free. Source: Delcomar fare table published February 2026. Maddalena Lines publishes “from” fares only: foot passenger from €5, car from €9.50, motorbike from €5.50.
The landing fee
La Maddalena charges a contributo di sbarco on arrival:
- 1 Oct – 31 Mar: €0.50 per person
- 1 Apr – 30 Sep: €2.50 per person
- 1 Jun – 31 Aug, landings on the smaller islands (boat trips): €5.00 per person
Children up to 6 are exempt. Ferry passengers to La Maddalena pay the April–September or October–March rate; the €5 summer rate applies to boat trips landing on the smaller islands.
Parking in Palau
The open-air car parks near the port (Porto Turistico, via Fonte Vecchia) cost €1 an hour from 1 May to 31 October, 08:00–20:00. The multi-storey car park on via Capo d’Orso costs €2 an hour all year. You can pay by card, cash or apps such as EasyPark.
Questions people ask
How long is the ferry from Palau to La Maddalena?
About 15–20 minutes. Maddalena Lines quotes 15 minutes for the crossing.
Do I need to book the ferry in advance?
Not as a foot passenger: ferries run every 30–60 minutes and you can buy at the port. With a car in August, buying online or arriving early avoids the queue.
Is there a night ferry?
Yes, Delcomar runs through the night all year, with sailings roughly every hour or two after midnight (in October 2026: 00:00, 01:00, 02:00, 03:30, 04:30 and 05:30 from Palau). Maddalena Lines does not sail at night.
Can I take the ferry to Spargi, Budelli or Santa Maria?
No. The ferry only goes to La Maddalena town. The smaller islands are reached by boat trip, private skipper or rented boat. Compare boat trips.
Should I take the car?
Only if you want to explore La Maddalena’s beaches and Caprera by road. For the town alone, park in Palau and walk on: a car costs €10.20 each way in summer against €4.70 for a foot passenger.