Ferry transporation from Barcelona to Italy

Cool idea. Never done this route. Will follow this thread. Here is a link for one option: https://www.directferries.co.uk/ferries_from_spain_to_italy.htm

You can find more info here: ferrylines.com.

Search From Spain - To Italy. Looks like it takes almost 24 hours to get there (you've heard the expression "slow boat to China"...).

I enjoy ferries too, but personally I wouldn't do this unless I had a long trip with more days to spend than I knew what to do with.

Hi dbjwhatley,
I'm inclined to agree with Mark. I think the idea might sound nicer than the reality of twenty hours on a ferry boat. However, it comes down to personal preference, and if you're interested in the experience, it looks like you can take a ferry from Barcelona to Genoa (approx. 20 hours, runs six days a week): http://www.gnv.it/en/gnv-routes.html. Or you could take a ferry from Barcelona to Civitavecchia (20 hours, runs six days a week): https://www.grimaldi-lines.com/en. Rome 2 Rio is a great website for comparing transportation options from point A to point B: www.rome2rio.com. Also, on www.skyscanner.com I'm seeing direct one-and-a-half to two-hour flights from Barcelona to Rome or Barcelona to Milan for $30 dollars or less. You could then use the time saved for exploring on the ground! Happy travels!

Thank you for your replies. We are considering the ferry, just for the fun of it because time is not an issue for this trip. I've looked at the ferry websites and have pricing information and descriptions of amenities on board. Since we'll reserve a cabin for the overnight trip that will offset the cost of a hotel night and include transportation expense, which makes the cost balance out for us. I'd like to obtain information from anyone that has taken any overnight ferry from Barcelona to Italy. The YouTube videos I've seen look okay fine, but if anyone had this experience; I'd love to hear about it. I'd like to know whether boarding is a hassle; if food is okay fine; if language might be a problem; and what typical, although unpredictable, seas are like in early May in that part of the world; that kind of stuff. Rome2rio is great! I'm happy to learn about that website.

There are some old threads in the TripAdvisor Barcelona forum about the Grimaldi line, You should definitely get a cabin, which appear to be clean and decent. However, the public areas, public bathrooms, lounges appear to be pretty grungy and crowded with people who won't pay extra for a sleeper. Lots of truckers, backpackers, families and pets. It appears the food is mediocre with line-ups. So it may be best to pack a picnic.

We took the Grimaldi overnight ferry from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Barcelona several years ago. It was fine. Tiny cabin for sleeping. I didn't notice "grunge." We happened to hit spring break, so there were tons of young people on board, but I didn't find that to be a problem. Loading and unloading the ferry was rather a slow process, but we had time and I'm glad we had the experience.

EDIT to add: They had a cafeteria-style dining area and then a nicer restaurant. We opted for the latter.

I guess to each their own. A few hours on a ferry, fun. Overnight with shared baths, the chance of rough seas, cafeteria food? I'd fly in a heartbeat. If you choose the ferry let us know how it goes.

FYI - from Grimaldi's website today (no shared baths):

"Cruise Roma / Cruise Barcelona - Cruise ferries of totally new concept.
409 air-conditioned cabins with shower and wc; 50 junior suites and 18 owner’s suites with double bed, tv and minibar..."

Then I stand corrected. I looked at the website and if the pictures do it justice it’s a downscaled cruise ship. The cabins are pretty nice!