In short
Genoa is easier to reach: there is a direct flight from Amsterdam, and the terminal is a six-minute walk from the station. Savona is a small Riviera town with the terminal by the old harbour, but you need a taxi from the station. Genoa has more sailings every month; Savona is strongest in spring and autumn.
Sailings by month
- Busiest months
- Apr, Aug, Oct
- Where ships go
- Western Mediterranean
- Usual length
- 6–9 nights
- Round trips
- almost all
Which port suits you
You want the fewest changes
The direct flight from Amsterdam lands 6 km from the terminals, and from Milan the train takes about 1.5–2 hours to Piazza Principe station — a six-minute walk from the ship. There are more sailings in every month, week-long cruises leave steadily all summer, and October is the peak.
Genoa port guide →You want a small town and the Riviera
The Palacrociere terminal sits by the old harbour beneath the Priamar fortress, 5–10 minutes on foot from the centre, with the beaches of Albissola and Finale Ligure nearby. Sailings peak in spring and autumn, and November brings cruises to the Canaries. Bear in mind the station is about 2 km from the terminal, so take a taxi.
Savona port guide →Point by point
| What we compare | Genoa | Savona |
|---|---|---|
| Flying from the Netherlands and Belgium | A direct flight from Amsterdam, about 2 hours. There are far more flights to Milan — from Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Brussels — then a train of about 1.5–2 hours. Allow half a day for the whole trip via Milan. | No major airport of its own. Fly direct from Amsterdam to Genoa, then 40–60 minutes by taxi; or direct from Amsterdam or Brussels to Nice, then 1.5–2 hours by car. Via Milan, allow almost a full day. |
| By train | Possible from the Netherlands, but long: more than 12 hours, changing via Switzerland or Paris. Works well with a night in Milan. | Regional trains from Genoa run often and take 30–55 minutes. From Milano Centrale there are direct trains from 2 hours 20 minutes, or about three hours with a change in Genoa. |
| Station and airport to ship | About 400 m from Piazza Principe station, a six-minute walk. From the airport (6 km), 15–20 minutes by taxi, or the Volabus to Principe. | The station is about 2 km from the terminal: 5–10 minutes by taxi, about half an hour on foot. From Genoa airport (about 45 km), 40–60 minutes by taxi or pre-booked transfer. |
| Terminal to town centre | The Stazione Marittima terminals are right in the city: the Old Harbour and the old town are a 15–20 minute walk. | The Palacrociere terminal is on the Darsena, the old harbour, beneath the Priamar fortress: the harbour and the historic centre are a 5–10 minute walk. |
| Season | All year, with more sailings in every month. Steady from April to September, most sailings in October; fewer in winter, around 10–13°C by day. | All year. Peaks in April and May and in October and November; noticeably fewer sailings in summer. Week-long cruises carry on in winter, around 10–13°C by day. |
| Typical itineraries | 7 nights: Marseille, Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Naples, Sicily, Malta, the Balearics. The occasional 10–14 nights from April to September; short cruises in March, October and November; Atlantic crossings in October and November. | 7 nights: Marseille, Barcelona, the Balearics, Civitavecchia, Naples, Sicily, Malta. Short cruises in spring, especially April; the occasional Eastern Mediterranean sailing; the Canaries in November and Atlantic crossings from October to December. |
| Town before or after | A huge old town, the palaces of Via Garibaldi (UNESCO), the aquarium and the Galata maritime museum — all close to the terminal. Focaccia and pesto on home ground. | The Priamar fortress above the quay, the Torretta tower, the cathedral and Savona's own Sistine Chapel, the arcades of Via Paleocapa. Nearby: Albissola's ceramics, medieval Noli and the beaches of Finale Ligure. |
| Where to stay | Around Principe station and Via Balbi, a walk from the terminal; the Old Harbour, the old town or De Ferrari, 10–15 minutes by taxi. | The Darsena, 5–10 minutes on foot; Via Paleocapa, 10–15 minutes on foot; Albissola by the beach, 10–15 minutes by taxi. Landing late? Stay in Genoa. |
Neighbours, not twins
Genoa and Savona share a coastline, and week-long cruises from both follow the same Western Mediterranean loop: Marseille, Barcelona, the Balearics, Civitavecchia, Naples, Sicily, Malta. Their schedules differ, though, so start with when you want to travel and then see which port fits those dates.
- Summer belongs to Genoa. From June to September week-long cruises leave Genoa every week, while Savona has noticeably fewer sailings. If you are travelling in the school holidays, you will find more choice in Genoa.
- Spring and autumn suit both. Savona is busiest in April, May, October and November, and in spring it has plenty of short cruises of 2–5 nights. In Genoa, short cruises tend to leave in March, October and November — good options for a first short cruise.
- Longer voyages in autumn. Atlantic crossings leave Genoa in October and November and Savona from October to December. These are one-way voyages of 15 nights or more, with a flight home. In November, Savona also has cruises to the Canary Islands.
- The Eastern Mediterranean is rare. Genoa has the occasional longer sailing of 10–14 nights calling in Greece or Turkey, more often in spring; Savona has a few sailings in April and October. Look for them early.
- Check the port in your booking. The two ports are about an hour apart. Mix them up and you spend boarding morning in a taxi on the motorway, so only book your hotel and train once you know the port for sure.
Weighing Genoa against its French neighbour? See our comparison of Genoa and Marseille.
Sleep in Genoa, board in Savona
If you land late or travel via Milan, spend the night in Genoa: there are more hotels and later flights. In the morning the regional train gets you to Savona in 30–55 minutes, and from the station it is 5–10 minutes by taxi to the terminal — too far to walk with luggage. On the way home, Genoa station is a walk from the ship; from Savona, avoid flights from Genoa airport before noon, and from Milan pick an evening flight: the train and the airport express to Malpensa take 3.5–4 hours.
Common questions
How far is Savona from Genoa?
About 50 km. Regional trains from Genoa to Savona run often and take 30–55 minutes, and a taxi from Genoa airport to Savona takes 40–60 minutes. They are still two different ports, so check the boarding port in your booking before you book a hotel or train.
Where is it easier to get from the station to the ship?
In Genoa: the terminals are about 400 metres from Piazza Principe station, roughly a six-minute walk. In Savona the station is not by the sea but about two kilometres from the Palacrociere terminal: 5–10 minutes by taxi, or about half an hour on foot with your luggage.
Which port has more sailings, and when?
Genoa has more sailings in every month: week-long cruises leave steadily through the summer, and October is the busiest month. Savona is strongest in spring and autumn — April, May, October and November — with noticeably fewer sailings in summer. Week-long cruises carry on from both ports in winter.
Can I stay in Genoa and board in Savona?
Yes, and it works well if you land late: Genoa has more hotels and later flights. In the morning the regional train to Savona takes 30–55 minutes, then it is 5–10 minutes by taxi from Savona station to the terminal. Leave plenty of time.
How the club fits in
Cruises from Genoa and Savona that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which Genoa and Savona dates are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Seasons and destinations are summarised from cruise line schedules for 2026–2027 and may change; check the current itinerary and terminal information before you travel. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.