With the arrival of spring 2026, the ideal season for those traveling by camper, motorhome or caravan officially opens. It’s time to plan the on-the-road adventure that combines the pleasure of the four-wheeled itinerary with the convenience of ferry crossings to some of the Mediterranean’s best-loved destinations: Sardinia, Sicily and Croatia.
Traveling by RV is not just about getting to your destination, but already turning the crossing into part of the travel experience. Ferrydinder.com is the best website to compare routes, fares and services and to board your RV on ferries to travel with your vehicle in total freedom.
When does the 2026 “camper season” begin?
Most shipping companies provide spring-summer-autumn seasonality for RV traffic: generally from March to September/October you can leave with your vehicle and take advantage of all dedicated boarding options.
Rule of thumb: plan and book well in advance (especially April-June and August) because RV garage spaces are limited and sell out faster than regular car accommodations.
Tips and recommendations before departure
More and more people are opting for “Camping on Board” (i.e., staying in the RV while sailing), the operational situation may vary between companies and routes. Some important points to remember:
- Coast Guard safety rules impose limits on staying in vehicles during the crossing: you are often allowed to stop your RV on the deck or in the vehicle area but you cannot use gas or cook on board; the use of electricity or water is not guaranteed.
- RV size (length/height) must be correctly communicated at the time of booking: it affects the price and availability.
- In some companies and routes, staying inside the RV may no longer be allowed due to safety concerns and updated regulations. We suggest you always check the travel conditions of the specific company at the time of booking.
- In any case, it is advisable to bring everything you need (water, food, unopened spare cylinders not in use), as RV services in ports or on ships may be limited.
Sardinia, Sicily and Croatia: all the best routes for campers in spring-summer 2026
Destinations and routes to Sardinia
Sardinia is a favorite destination for people leaving by ferry with their RV:
- Genoa → Porto Torres
- Livorno → Olbia
- Civitavecchia → Olbia / Arbatax / Porto Torres
- Naples → Cagliari
These routes connect the Italian mainland to the island with good frequencies during the tourist season and allow RVs of various sizes to board.
Practical advice: Olbia is perfect as a base for exploring the Emerald Coast, Ogliastra and the eastern beaches, while Porto Torres is an excellent gateway to northwest Sardinia.
Ferries with camper boarding, destinations and routes Sicily
For Sicily, there are a number of connection options that involve RVs boarding ferries.
- Civitavecchia → Palermo / Termini Imerese
- Reggio Calabria → Villa San Giovanni Messina (short ferry).
These routes are ideal for those who want to explore the island in an RV, alternating between sea, mountains and historic villages along the coast. It pays to book well in advance: availability for RVs should be checked because not all companies offer the same vehicle space.
Destinations and routes to Croatia – ferries that allow camper boarding
Sardinia is a favorite destination for people leaving by ferry with their RV: Croatia is a dream destination for lovers of on-the-road travel thanks to the Adriatic coast and islands:
These international routes connect Italy to Croatia and allow RVs and vehicles to board the ferries. Booking in advance is mandatory at all times, not just in high season. Suggested itinerary: from Ancona north or south along the Adriatic coast with many stops between beaches and nature parks.
Camping On Board 2026: regulations and useful information
Camping On Board is a popular service for campers because it allows them-when provided by the company-to stay in their camper during the crossing, avoiding the need to reserve a cabin or chair.
However, it is important to know that the service:
- It is seasonal (generally active from spring to early fall).
- It is available only on specific routes and with specific companies.
- Camping on Board is guaranteed only in good weather conditions.
- May be subject to change for safety reasons or Port Authority regulations.
Main rules of Camping On Board
If the Camping on Board service is active, these conditions generally apply:
- The RV is placed in a dedicated area (often an outdoor deck or ventilated garage).
- It is forbidden to use gas on board while sailing.
- Cooking is not allowed.
- In some cases an electrical connection may be provided, but this is not always guaranteed.
- Vehicle access may be restricted at certain stages of navigation for safety reasons.
- It is compulsory to comply with early boarding times than passengers without vehicles.
- Conditions may vary slightly from company to company
Practical tips for those who choose Camping On Board
To make the most of the camping on board experience, we recommend you check that the size of your camper, motorhome, caravan or caravan is accepted on board. Booking well in advance will give you more certainty, considering that dedicated vehicle spaces on board ferries are limited and in high demand during the summer months.
For a more relaxing crossing in the camping-on-board mode, you’ll also want to bring water, pre-cooked food and overnight necessities. Finally, don’t count on using air conditioning or appliances that may not always be available. Also read this article to learn about other regulations and useful tips in detail.
Ferry booking for Sardinia, Sicily and Croatia with Ferryfinder
If you wish to board your camper, or any vehicle, on board the ferries to Sardinia, Sicily and Croatia, advance reservation is mandatory. You will need to enter the size and make of your camper on the reservation form and you will need to self-certify all vehicle documentation that will be shown in hard copy at the time of boarding.
It will also be necessary to reach the port dock dedicated to boarding operations at least 2 hours in advance. All details will be provided along with the tickets directly from the Navigation Company via e-mail a few moments after booking.
1. Compare routes and fares
Use the ferryfinder.com search engine to:
- View all companies and routes available for your destination;
- Compare prices for campers on different schedules;
- Check the availability of garage spaces for large vehicles.
Remember: by entering vehicle categories, exact length and height of your RV, you will get accurate quotes.
2. Reserve your place on board the ferry in good time.
The main routes to Sardinia, Sicily, and Croatia become especially crowded:
- between June and September;
- weekends and vacation periods.
By booking far enough in advance you can:
- locking the garage space;
- Choose any cabins or seats for overnight crossings (if camping on board is not provided);
- Save money with early booking rates.
3. Always check the condition
Each shipping company provides:
- Different cancellation and tariff modification terms;
- Specific regulations for vehicles and campers;
- On-board services not always consistent.
- Always check size limits, refund policies and services included in the crossing before confirming.
4. Plan the complete itinerary before departure
Once you have booked your ferry, plan stops and equipped areas in your destination and check local rules about free camping or camping in equipped areas (each region has different regulations).
Spring 2026 is the perfect time to set off with your RV and cross the sea by ferry to spectacular destinations and explore coastlines, parks, and villages with complete freedom. Thanks to Ferryfinder you can:book in just a few clicks and set off with no worries.
