Key Facts – Bari to Patras
- Crossing time
- ~15.5–16.5 hours (direct, no stop)
- Operator
- Superfast Ferries (daily sailing)
- Foot passenger
- from ~€60 (season-dependent)
- With a car
- +€95–150 depending on vehicle and season
- Cabins
- from ~€20 per person on top of the base fare
- Distance
- 295 nautical miles (546 km)
- Typical departure (Bari)
- ~19:00
- Typical arrival (Patras)
- ~13:00 next day (local time)
Route Overview
Bari–Patras is the direct link between Puglia and the Peloponnese. Superfast Ferries runs this crossing daily, and – unlike the sister route to Igoumenitsa, which departs separately in the evening – this sailing does not call anywhere along the way. You board in Bari in the evening, spend a full night and part of the next day at sea, and dock in Patras in the early afternoon local time. Greece is one hour ahead of Italy, so factor that into your onward plans.
At 295 nautical miles (546 km), this is the shortest sea crossing from Italy to Patras – shorter than the popular Ancona–Patras route (around 20–21 hours), which runs further north and usually calls at Igoumenitsa on the way. If your destination is Athens or the Peloponnese, Bari–Patras cuts several hours off the crossing compared to sailing from Ancona or Venice.
| Vessel | Departure (Bari) | Crossing time | Arrival (Patras) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superfast I | ~18:30–19:30 | ~15.5–16.5 h | ~12:30–13:30 next day (local) |
Times are indicative and confirmed by live schedule checks (e.g. departure 19:00, arrival 13:00 the next day). Always verify the exact sailing when booking, as departure slots can shift with the season.
Operator on This Route
Superfast Ferries is currently the only company sailing the direct Bari–Patras route, with a daily departure. The ship on this crossing, Superfast I, is a large ro-pax vessel with vehicle decks, cabins, reclining seating and on-board catering – built for exactly this kind of long overnight-into-day crossing rather than a short hop.
Because there is only one operator on this exact routing, there is no fare comparison between companies here – but you can still compare cabin categories, and it's worth checking DirectFerries for the current live price before booking directly.
No stop in Igoumenitsa
Don't confuse this with the Bari–Igoumenitsa route. That sailing departs separately in the evening and takes ~8–10 hours to northwest Greece with three different operators. Bari–Patras is a distinct, direct sailing straight through to the Peloponnese gateway – if Igoumenitsa, Corfu or Epirus is your goal, book the other route instead.
Prices, Seats & Cabins
Because the crossing spans a full night and half a day, most travellers book at least a reclining seat, and many opt for a cabin to get proper rest before driving on from Patras.
- Recliner/airline seat: the budget option for a 15–16-hour crossing. Workable for one night, though a cabin is more comfortable for this length of journey.
- 4-berth interior cabin: shared bunks at a lower per-person price – a good option for families or groups.
- 2-berth cabin: the most popular choice for couples on this longer route. Interior cabins are cheaper; outside cabins with a porthole or window cost more.
As a live example, a sailing on Superfast I departing Bari at 19:00 and arriving Patras at 13:00 the next day showed a foot-passenger fare of €63.00. Expect foot-passenger fares from around €60, rising in July and August. A car typically adds €95–150 depending on size and season, and a cabin berth adds roughly €20 or more per person on top of the base fare.
About Patras
Patras is Greece's third-largest city and the country's main western port – the natural landing point for ferries from Italy. It sits at the entrance to the Peloponnese peninsula, with the Rio–Antirio Bridge just east of the city linking the Peloponnese to the Greek mainland.
From Patras you can:
- Drive to Athens (~3 hours) via the A8/E94 motorway – the fastest onward connection from any Italian ferry port.
- Head into the Peloponnese directly – ancient Olympia, Kalamata and the Mani peninsula are all a few hours south.
- Cross the Rio–Antirio Bridge toward Delphi and central Greece without backtracking.
- Explore Patras itself before moving on – the old town, castle hill and waterfront promenade are an easy stop if you have a few hours before your onward drive.
Which Italy–Greece route fits your trip?
Bari–Patras (~15.5–16.5 h, direct) is the shortest way to Patras and the Peloponnese from Italy. Ancona–Patras (~20–21 h) runs further north and usually stops at Igoumenitsa on the way – useful if you're already near Ancona. Bari–Igoumenitsa (~8–10 h) is shorter still but lands in northwest Greece, better suited to Epirus, Meteora or Corfu than to Athens.
Practical Travel Tips
- Check-in time: arrive at the Bari ferry terminal at least 2–3 hours before departure, especially with a vehicle.
- Bari port location: the terminal is at Nuova Darsena. From the A14 motorway, take the Bari Nord or Bari Centrale exit and follow the port signs.
- Time difference: Greece is one hour ahead of Italy. The arrival time shown on your ticket is already local Greek time.
- Book early in summer: with only one operator on this exact route, sailings and cabins fill up faster in July–August than on routes with multiple companies.
- Onward from Patras: if Athens is your goal, the A8/E94 motorway gets you there in about 3 hours – no need to route via Igoumenitsa.
FAQ
How long is the Bari to Patras ferry?
Around 15.5–16.5 hours, dock-to-dock. This is a direct sailing with no stop at Igoumenitsa.
Which company operates this route?
Superfast Ferries is the only operator on the direct Bari–Patras crossing, sailing daily with Superfast I.
How much does it cost?
A foot passenger typically starts from around €60, rising in summer. A car adds roughly €95–150, and a cabin berth adds around €20 or more per person. A confirmed live fare for a foot passenger was €63.00.
How is this different from Bari–Igoumenitsa?
Bari–Patras runs directly to the Peloponnese gateway in ~15.5–16.5 hours. Bari–Igoumenitsa is a separate, shorter (~8–10 h) evening sailing to northwest Greece with three operators, better suited to Epirus, Meteora or Corfu.
Is Patras a good base for Athens and the Peloponnese?
Yes – Patras connects to Athens in about 3 hours via the A8/E94 motorway and sits right at the entrance to the Peloponnese, making it the shortest Italian ferry route for that part of Greece.
Find the best price for Bari → Patras
Compare live Superfast Ferries fares – with your vehicle and cabin.
Search live prices See prices on DirectFerries