Ancona to Igoumenitsa Ferry

Route Overview

Ancona–Igoumenitsa is the most-travelled ferry link between Italy and Greece. Unlike some Adriatic routes that scale back to a handful of winter sailings, this one runs year-round with 6–7 departures a week, ramping up to multiple sailings a day during the summer peak. That makes it the most flexible option if your travel dates aren't fixed months in advance.

Igoumenitsa itself is the gateway to northwestern Greece: Epirus, the Meteora monasteries and the city of Ioannina are all within easy driving distance. It's also the jumping-off point for Corfu – a short local ferry crossing of roughly 70–90 minutes connects the port to the island, making this route popular with travellers heading straight for the Ionian islands rather than the Peloponnese.

Worth knowing: many Ancona–Patras sailings actually stop at Igoumenitsa on the way. If Igoumenitsa is your final destination, booking a sailing that terminates here (rather than continuing to Patras) saves you around 5 hours on board.

Times shown are typical schedule patterns and vary by season and specific sailing. Arrival times are local (Greek) time, one hour ahead of Italy. Always confirm the exact schedule when booking.

Operators on This Route

Superfast Ferries runs the fastest service on this crossing, with vessels such as Superfast III and Superfast IV. A typical evening departure from Ancona around 20:30 arrives in Igoumenitsa the following afternoon around 16:00 – a genuine overnight-plus-half-day crossing. In peak summer weeks, some Superfast sailings route via Corfu first, which adds about two hours to the direct time but gives foot passengers and campers a useful stop along the way.

Grimaldi Lines is the more freight-oriented operator, with a larger share of trucks and commercial vehicles on board, but it carries cars, motorhomes and foot passengers too. The crossing takes longer – typically 21–22 hours, departing Ancona around 19:30 and arriving Igoumenitsa around 17:00–18:00 the next day – and fares tend to run lower than Superfast, making it a solid option if you're not in a hurry.

Prices, Seats & Cabins

Because the direct Superfast crossing is well under 24 hours, many passengers manage with an airline-style seat, especially on a same-day arrival. For the longer Grimaldi crossing, or for a proper night's sleep, a cabin is worth the extra cost.

• Airline/recliner seat: the cheapest option, included in the base fare or a small surcharge. Workable on the Superfast direct sailing if you're comfortable sleeping upright.
• 4-berth interior cabin: shared cabin with bunk beds, no window. Good value for groups and families.
• 2-berth interior cabin: private twin cabin without a porthole, popular with couples.
• 2-berth outside cabin: private twin cabin with a sea-view porthole – a worthwhile upgrade for the longer Grimaldi crossing.
• De-luxe/suite cabin: en-suite bathroom and extra space, sometimes with lounge access. Adds a meaningful premium in summer.

Fares start from around €79 for a foot passenger in low-to-mid season, with a car typically adding €95–150 depending on size and time of year. July and August see the steepest increases – booking two to three months ahead in summer can make a real difference, while shoulder-season sailings (May–June, September–October) stay noticeably cheaper.

Taking Your Camper or Car

Both Superfast and Grimaldi accept cars, vans, motorcycles and motorhomes, with vehicle fares added on top of the passenger price based on length. A standard family car typically adds around €95–150 to the fare depending on the season.

Camping on board is available on many Ancona–Igoumenitsa sailings: you drive onto the car deck, stay overnight in your motorhome with an electricity connection, and drive off on arrival. It's a practical way to avoid booking a separate cabin, and often cheaper than paying for cabin berths – but you need to book the specific camping-on-board rate, not a standard vehicle ticket. See our camper guide for the full picture.

Book camper spaces early for July and August departures – on this route they fill up well ahead of the sailing date, particularly on the faster Superfast service.

Practical Travel Tips

• Check in early: vehicle check-in at the Port of Ancona typically opens 3–4 hours before departure. Arrive with margin, especially in summer.
• Onward to Corfu: a local ferry connects Igoumenitsa to Corfu Town in around 70–90 minutes – a straightforward add-on if the island is your real destination.
• Onward to Epirus and Meteora: Igoumenitsa gives direct road access to Ioannina and the Meteora monasteries, both well within a half-day's drive.
• Compare with Patras sailings: if a Patras-bound ferry also stops at Igoumenitsa, check whether it's cheaper or better timed than a dedicated Igoumenitsa sailing – but remember it may take longer overall.
• Currency: Greece uses the euro; most on-board spending is by card.

FAQ

How long is the Ancona to Igoumenitsa ferry?

With Superfast Ferries the direct crossing takes around 16.5 hours. In high summer some Superfast sailings route via Corfu first, extending the trip to about 18.5 hours. Grimaldi Lines takes longer, typically 21–22 hours, but is usually cheaper.

Which ferry companies sail Ancona to Igoumenitsa?

Superfast Ferries and Grimaldi Lines are the two operators on this route. Superfast is faster and geared towards passengers; Grimaldi is more freight-oriented but accepts cars, campers and foot passengers at generally lower fares.

How much does the Ancona–Igoumenitsa ferry cost?

A foot passenger starts from around €79, cheaper outside July and August when prices rise sharply. A car typically adds €95–150. Cabins add roughly €20 per person upward. Camping on board is available on many sailings.

Can I take a camper on the Ancona–Igoumenitsa ferry?

Yes. Both operators accept motorhomes, and camping on board – staying in your vehicle on the car deck with an electricity hook-up – is offered on many sailings. Book early in summer as spaces are limited.

Is Ancona–Igoumenitsa faster than Ancona–Patras?

Yes. Many Ancona–Patras sailings actually call at Igoumenitsa on the way. If Igoumenitsa is your final stop, you save around 5 hours compared with continuing to Patras.