How to get to Elba Island
Ferries, train and plane: the journey to Ortano Mare
You reach Elba Island by ferry from Piombino, with departures all day long to Portoferraio, Rio Marina and Cavo and crossings from about 15 minutes to an hour. The nearest port to Ortano Mare is Rio Marina, about 5 km away; Piombino port can be reached by car or train, and in summer the island also has flights from some Italian airports.
You reach Elba Island by ferry from Piombino, on the Tuscan coast. Ships leave all day long for three of the island’s ports: Portoferraio, Rio Marina and Cavo. For Ortano Mare the most convenient port is Rio Marina, about 5 km from the village.
- From Ortano Mare: Rio Marina port about 5 km away · 10 minutes
- Departure from: Piombino (Piombino Marittima port and station)
- Arrival at: Portoferraio, Rio Marina, Cavo
- Crossing: From about 15 minutes (hydrofoil to Cavo) to about an hour
- Companies: Moby, Toremar, Blu Navy
- If you book on the website: Discount code for Moby and Toremar ferries
Getting to Piombino
By car, Piombino is reached via the Aurelia state road (SS1) and then the SS398, which runs right to the port. Cars board the ferries; hydrofoils carry passengers only.
By train you arrive directly at Piombino Marittima station, which is inside the port, next to the ticket offices and boarding points. Alternatively, get off at Campiglia Marittima and continue on the “Piombino Marittima link” bus, which leaves from the square in front of the station: the combined train + bus ticket is bought together through Trenitalia.
By plane, the nearest airports to Piombino are Pisa and Florence, from where you continue by train to Piombino Marittima.
Ferries to Elba
- Piombino – Portoferraio: the route with the most departures, served by Moby, Toremar and Blu Navy, with crossings from 40 minutes to about an hour.
- Piombino – Rio Marina: Toremar ferries, about a 45-minute crossing, with fewer sailings during the day.
- Piombino – Cavo: the shortest crossing, served by Toremar all year round: about 15 minutes by hydrofoil, passengers only, and about 40 minutes by ferry.
Timetables and the number of sailings change with the season: check them on the company’s website before you leave.
Which port to choose for Ortano Mare
Rio Marina port is the nearest: about 5 km from the village, around ten minutes by car.
Cavo is about 14 km away, around twenty minutes by car: it is handy with the hydrofoil if you travel without a car.
The port of Portoferraio is about 18 km away, a good half hour by car: it has the most departures, useful when other sailings are full.
The ferry discount code
Ortano Mare has an agreement with Moby and Toremar: if you book your stay directly on the website you receive a discount code for the ferry.
Flying to Elba
The island has a small airport at Marina di Campo, on the south coast. In summer there are scheduled flights with some Italian airports: for summer 2026 connections were planned with Florence, Pisa, Milan Linate and Rome Fiumicino, on small aircraft with few flights a week. From the airport to Ortano Mare it is about 31 km, three quarters of an hour by car.
Travel tips
In July and August, and at summer weekends, book your ferry in advance, especially if you are travelling by car.
On Elba there is no traditional tourist tax: instead there is a landing fee, already included in the ferry ticket.
Ortano Mare’s tip: Before you arrive at Ortano Mare you will receive an email to register your guests’ details online: check-in at reception will be quicker.
Ortano Mare, ten minutes from Rio Marina port
From Rio Marina to Ortano Mare takes just ten minutes or so: park the car, pick up your keys and the bay is right in front of you.
At Ortano Mare you can choose between the hotel rooms and the residence apartments, just steps from the private beach in the bay of Ortano.
request a quote Check availabilityFAQ
Rio Marina, about 5 km away, around ten minutes by car.
From about 15 minutes by hydrofoil to Cavo to about an hour by ferry to Portoferraio; to Rio Marina about 45 minutes.
Yes: Piombino Marittima station is inside the port. Alternatively, get off at Campiglia Marittima and take the “Piombino Marittima link” bus to the port.
Yes, at Marina di Campo, with summer flights from some Italian airports. From there to Ortano Mare it is about 31 km.
Yes: if you book directly on the Ortano Mare website you receive a discount code for Moby and Toremar ferries.