Genoa–Tunis ferry
Often cheaper than Marseille–Tunis, the Italian route is worth the detour, especially from eastern France, Switzerland, Germany or northern Italy. Prices, operators and pitfalls to avoid.
Updated October 2026 · sources at the bottom of the page
Key facts at a glance
- One way with a car
- €340–375Car and driver off-peak, versus €460–530 from Marseille
- Crossing time
- ≈ 24 h23 h 45 min with GNV
- Operators
- 2GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci) and CTN
- All year round
- YesGNV sails all year; CTN adds sailings in summer
- Required document
- PassportAn ID card alone is no longer enough with GNV since 2025
- Arrival
- La GouletteThe port of Tunis
Why go via Genoa?
On 2026 bookings, a crossing with a car costs about a quarter less on average from Genoa than from Marseille. For a family, that can mean several hundred euros over the round trip.
The drive matters too. From Strasbourg, Genoa is closer than Marseille (about 690 km versus 800). From Milan, Zurich or Munich it is by far the nearest port.
Do factor in Italian tolls, Alpine tunnels and the Swiss vignette. The simplest approach is to compare both journeys end to end.
Genoa or Marseille, ferry or plane: compare the total cost of your trip.
Run the numbersHow much does the crossing cost?
One way with a car and its driver usually costs €340–375 off-peak, and up to nearly €1,000 in high summer. In 2026, November is the cheapest month (about €313 on average) and July the most expensive (about €601). GNV advertises passenger tickets from about €102 one way.
For Tunisia, GNV counts a child under 2 as an "infant" and a young person aged 2 to 14 as a "child": the fare depends on this category. The operator also runs regular promotions on its North Africa routes, so check before you book.
GNV or CTN?
| What | GNV | CTN |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing time | 23 h 45 min | About 24 h |
| Sailings | All year round | Mainly in summer: 67 crossings on the Genoa route in summer 2026 |
| Baggage | Check GNV's rules when booking | Up to 2 suitcases, no weight limit |
| Check-in at La Goulette | Opens 8 h and closes 3 h before departure | At least 4 h before boarding |
Pets are accepted on most crossings, as long as you declare them when booking.
Documents you need
- A passport valid for at least 3 months after entry, for every passenger including minors: since 1 January 2025, GNV no longer accepts an ID card on its own.
- Your ticket, digital or paper: both are accepted.
- For the car: the original registration document and valid insurance (green card).
The crossing takes a whole night: a cabin makes the trip far more restful, especially with children.
Our tips
- Always compare with Marseille–Tunis, counting the drive, tolls and fuel.
- Book early for summer: the good dates go fast.
- Check the check-in deadline printed on your ticket: it varies by operator.
Other crossings
Sources
- GNV – Genoa-Tunis (site officiel)
- GNV – Ferries Tunisie : lignes et prix « à partir de » (site officiel)
- GNV – Port de Tunis : enregistrement et documents (site officiel)
- GNV – Voyager avec des enfants (site officiel)
- CTN – Questions fréquentes : bagages (site officiel)
- CTN – Infos pratiques (site officiel)
- AFerry – Gênes-Tunis : prix moyens par mois 2026
- allAfrica – Été 2026 : la CTN programme 149 traversées