A Short Guide on How to Get to La Maddalena

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Find out how easy it is to get to La Maddalena from Sardinia. Discover how to buy tickets and other tips for a smooth ferry ride!

At first, visiting a cluster of islands while already visiting a bigger island may sound like a bit of a head scratcher. You may also be questioning whether it’s worth the hassle of extra travel. Thankfully, getting to the La Maddalena archipelago from Sardinia couldn’t be simpler!

Whether you’re doing a La Maddalena day trip or planning a longer stay, the Magdalena Island ferry will swiftly get you there.

The enchanting national park, beautiful beaches and stunning Caprera Island are all within a stone’s throw. Here is a brief and easy guide on how to get to La Maddalena.

The Palau to La Maddalena Ferry

Palau is located on the northern end of Sardinia island and just opposite of La Maddalena. The Palau to Maddalena Island ferry is the most convenient way to reach the archipelago. The entire ride takes roughly 20 minutes and departs about every 40 minutes during the summer.

If you are heading out on a La Maddalena day trip, the timetable is advantageous as you don’t have to worry about missing a boat and waiting around for hours. As most ferry rides among islands, the journey is beautiful and flies on by.

This ferry is the closest thing to a public transportation shuttle and runs regularly without the need of a reservation.

Where and How to Buy Ferry Tickets

Buying Ferry Tickets Online

You should always aim to buy ferry tickets directly from the ferry operator. If possible, avoid booking and buying a ticket from a third party website. The prices tend to be more expensive compared to cutting out the middleman.

The price difference is also often significant enough to where you’ll feel ripped off. On the upside, the biggest advantage of using a third party to buy your ticket is English speaking customer support if anything does happen to go wrong.

You can book your Palau to La Maddalena ferry here with Delcomar. A round trip for an adult costs around €9 during summer season. The full list of tariffs are also published so you can double check whether you’re getting a good deal in case you are price shopping.

If you do know which date you are returning from La Maddalena, we highly recommend booking a round trip ticket in advance. The ticket cost is cheaper this way compared to buying two one-way tickets.

When booking directly with the ferry operator, you’ll also be able to see their actual timetable instead of estimates. The accurate timetable for the Palau to La Maddalena ferry can be found here, courtesy of Delcomar.

🎟 Final verdict: You can book tickets directly here or through a third party here.

Buying Ferry Tickets In Person

Buying a ferry ticket from Palau to La Maddalena or vice versa is also possible to do in person. You will find a kiosk at both ports which sell tickets.

The kiosks accept cash and credit card payment. This is a good last minute solution in case your plans change or you forgot to buy a return ticket (like us!).

The short ferry ride does not require a reservation which is especially convenient if you are travelling on foot and feeling spontaneous.

Taking the Palau to La Maddalena Ferry With a Car

If you’re driving throughout Sardinia, you’ll likely want to take your car with you to La Maddalena. Cars are allowed on the ferry from Palau as well as scooters and bicycles.

Getting around by scooter is a the perfect solution to traveling around La Maddalena if you don’t have a car! You can either rent one before getting on the ferry or once you arrive on Isla Magdalena.

If you are renting a car, stick to compact options. There are different ferry tariffs for cars and scooters based off size. The prices will also vary on the time of year you are traveling (peak season vs. off season).

For example, a roundtrip ticket for a small vehicle costs around €16 compared to a large vehicle which costs roughly €26. The same price variation goes for scooter sizes! Bicycle tariffs are luckily standard.

Guided or Private Boat Tour

The most convenient way to get to La Maddalena without a car is with a private (or semi private) boat ride.

You can either opt for a boat trip which just gets you to the island or you can choose an inclusive boat tour of La Maddalena. The latter will make stops at all the beautiful beaches while you don’t have to worry about transportation.

Departing from various points in Sardinia, you can find a boat excursion that travels to famous spots on La Maddalena like Caprera Island. Additionally, you can choose from big group tours, Catamaran tours and sailing tours!

Alternatively, you’ll find people at the port in Palau offering to take you on their boat if you don’t feel like waiting in the ferry line or you didn’t book anything in advance. If you’re feeling wild, go for it!

Depending on your budget, possibilities range from a day boat tour to a private sailing excursion.

La Maddalena Travel Resources

☔️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage

✈️ FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com

🚙 CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com

🚊 TRAINS & BUSES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio

🛳 FERRIES: Direct Ferries

🛌 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago

☎️ ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo

📸 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator

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