You can only reach the Tremiti Islands by sea or by helicopter. There is no bridge, the nearest airport is Foggia “Gino Lisa” (78 km from Termoli, 100 km from Vieste), and private vehicles are not loaded onto the ferries. Every crossing leaves from the Adriatic coast: primarily from Termoli in Molise, with seasonal Puglian routes from four Gargano harbours.
Termoli: the main port
Termoli, in the province of Campobasso, is the only port that runs year-round to the Tremiti. From here Navi Liberty hydrofoils make the crossing in 50 minutes, while Tirrenia car ferries take 1h45. In winter there is a single daily sailing; in summer up to eight departures spread between early morning and early evening. The port sits 1.2 km from Termoli railway station, walkable in 15 minutes or reachable by city bus. The Adriatic main line (Bologna–Bari–Lecce) serves the station with daily Frecciargento and Intercity trains.
Vieste and Peschici (Gargano side)
In summer, Vieste is served by daily hydrofoils run by Navi Liberty and GS Travel: 50-60 minutes’ crossing, €25-32 one-way. Vieste’s harbour is in the town centre, on foot from most of the seafront hotels. From Peschici the link runs daily from June to September, with 45-minute hydrofoils. Rodi Garganico is served by GS Travel catamarans, about an hour’s crossing at similar prices.
Manfredonia and other ports
From Manfredonia, the main town on the southern Gargano coast, a high-season hydrofoil runs (July to September). The crossing takes around two hours, sometimes with an intermediate call at Vieste or Peschici. There are no direct regular services from Bari or Vasto: travellers from those cities have to reach Termoli (Vasto is just 30 km away) or Manfredonia by car, train or bus.
Helicopter from Foggia
In high season (June to September) Alidaunia operates a helicopter link between Foggia “Gino Lisa” airport and the helipad on San Domino. The flight takes about 20 minutes, costs €60-80 one-way, and has limited capacity (6 passengers per rotation). It is useful for travellers landing at Foggia or coming from the Capitanata who want to avoid the 78 km drive to Termoli or 95 km to Vieste. Booking is mandatory; in strong winds or fog the flight is cancelled and passengers are rerouted onto the boats.
Driving to the embarkation port
From the north, take the A14 Adriatica motorway to the Termoli exit (24 km from the port). From Rome, exit at Vasto Sud or take the SS 16 from Pescara. From Naples and the south, follow the A14 in the opposite direction. Vieste, Peschici, Rodi and Manfredonia are reached from the Foggia motorway exit and then the SS 89 Garganica.
Supervised car parks at Termoli charge €8-12 a day; in high season (July–August) spaces fill by 9 in the morning, so plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before departure. At Vieste and Peschici, parking near the harbour is on blue lines, €1-1.50 per hour.
By train
Termoli station is served by Frecciargento, Frecciabianca and Intercity services on the Bologna–Lecce Adriatic line. From Roma Termini you change at Pescara or Vasto-San Salvo, about 5 hours total. From Milano Centrale a direct Frecciargento takes 7 hours. For the Gargano ports the nearest mainline station is Foggia, from where Ferrovie del Gargano buses serve Vieste (2 h) and Peschici (1h30).
Vehicles and luggage
You cannot bring a car or motorbike to the Tremiti. Tirrenia ferries from Termoli only load foot passengers, bicycles (with an €8-10 supplement), and hand luggage. Hold luggage is accepted but not guaranteed in high season: a backpack or small wheelie case is the safer choice. Dogs and cats must be on a lead or in a carrier and pay a €5-8 supplement.
Quick reference
| From | Vessel | Duration | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Termoli | Hydrofoil | 50 min | Year-round |
| Termoli | Car ferry | 1h45 | Year-round |
| Vieste | Hydrofoil | 50-60 min | May–September |
| Peschici | Hydrofoil | 45 min | June–September |
| Rodi Garganico | Catamaran | 1 h | June–September |
| Manfredonia | Hydrofoil | 2 h | July–September |
| Foggia | Helicopter | 20 min | June–September |
To plan a day trip from Termoli or the Gargano, head to things to do, or read about the largest island in San Domino.