Ferry from Malta to Sicily
The Malta-Sicily ferry
The fast ferry from Malta to Sicily takes you from Valletta to Pozzallo in just 1 hour and 45 minutes!
Thanks to this ferry, it’s easy to make a day trip between Malta and Sicily or to combine both islands into one holiday.
Map: ferry routes Sicily-Malta
About this crossing between Malta and Sicily (Italy)
Valletta to Pozzallo with Virtu Ferries
There is only one operator serving the Malta-Sicily route: Virtu Ferries operates the Pozzallo-Valletta crossing. You can also book this ferry to Catania, with a bus transfer provided between Pozzallo and Catania. If you book through Direct Ferries, the bus tickets are included in your booking.
Crossings & tickets from Malta to Sicily
There crossing between Malta and the Italian island of Sicily is operated by Virtu Ferries and is about 50 miles sailing. You can depart from two locations in Sicily. A bus service connects Catania to Pozzallo, where the ferry to Malta departs, and this works for the return journey as well. When booking from Valletta, Malta’s capital, you can choose either the ferry crossing alone or a combination of the ferry and bus transfer to Catania.
You can travel as a foot passenger or take your car on board. The crossing duration ranges from 1 hour and 45 minutes (the fastest option) to around 4 hours. For two passengers without a car, the cost is roughly £150, while bringing a car increases the fare to about £250. The ferry operates twice daily in both directions, with departures in the morning and evening from Pozzallo to Valletta and back.
On board
Ferry Schedule / Timetable
From Valletta, the first ferries to Sicily depart in the morning at 06:30 or 07:30, arriving in Pozzallo at 08:15 or 09:15. The evening ferry departs at 18:00, reaching Pozzallo by 19:45.
From Pozzallo, the first ferry to Malta departs at 08:30, with an additional service later in the evening to Valletta.
How early should you arrive
Check-in Information for the Malta to Sicily Route
For the Malta to Sicily ferry, passengers with vehicles should check in 1.5 hours before departure. Foot passengers must check in at least 1 hour prior to departure. Please ensure you arrive at the terminal at least 1 hour before the scheduled sailing time, and consider arriving even earlier during busy periods to avoid any delays. Check-in opens 2 hours before scheduled departure.
Prices and availability for this crossing
Additional Information
Day Tours from Malta to Sicily
A fantastic way to enhance your holiday in Malta is by taking a day tour to Sicily. You can either book the ferry to Sicily yourself or opt for a fully organised tour.
The benefit of booking a tour is that experienced guides will take you to the best spots, which is especially helpful when your time on the island is limited. While tours can be a bit expensive, renting a car may not be much cheaper in comparison.
Though the ferry itself is already quite costly, many who book these trips find them highly rewarding. Some tours are quite lengthy, often lasting up to 15 hours, as they aim to give you the most out of your visit.
Interested in such a tour? Popular options often include visits to Syracuse (the oldest city in Italy), Mount Etna, and Taormina. If this sounds appealing, you might consider the following tours:
- Taormina and Mount Etna Full Day Excursion from Malta (Viator.com)
- One Day Sicily Tour from Malta (Viator.com)
Travelling with Pets?
Also no problem, you can consult the pet FAQ of Virtu Ferries here.
To the passenger terminal
Virtu Ferries Passenger Terminals
Malta Terminal:
Xatt L-Ghassara Tal-Gheneb, Marsa, MRS 1917, MaltaSicily Terminal:
Largo Vespri Siciliani, 97016 Pozzallo RG, Italy
These are the main passenger terminals for Virtu Ferries, connecting Malta and Sicily. The Malta terminal is located in Marsa, while the Sicily terminal is in Pozzallo.
Getting Around Valletta
Valletta is small enough to explore entirely on foot, and with its beautiful, idyllic surroundings, walking is often the best way to take in the city’s charm.
Do the Sicily to Malta ferry run in October, is so, When is the timetable available for booking tickets ?
and is the sea crossing rough at that time of the year
Hi Eddie,
We did the research for you: Yes, they are also running in October ( multiple sailings per day), they seem to run all year through (also November). In october the sea is more rough, and yes on this route especially things can get really rough. 90 minutes is quite ok though.. So even in bad weather 90 minutes is done before you know it. Check out more about seasickness on ferries here:
https://ferrygogo.com/sailing-smoothly-proven-tips-to-beat-sea-sickness-on-ferries/
Hey,I want to go sicily from Malta on Saturday 15 July in the morning and returned back on Monday 17 July evening.so is there any offer tickets available for this roaster?
Thanks,
Adeel
Hi Adeel,
There is currently a Sicily Summer offer – which is valid for July and August – you can find the details here; https://www.virtuferries.com/offers/sicily-special-offers/1
Good luck and have a nice trip!
Team FerryGoGo
I am looking to ride the ferry end of March 2024 to Sicily. Does the Ferry run in march and do tours run in Marc h? or can I catch a local bus and tour myself. I speak Italian
Hi,
I am planning a trip in Sicily in December this year and want to include a day trip to Malta. But I can't find any schedule for that month. I plan to take the ferry from Pozzallo. Is it possible to leave in the morning from Pozzallo and come back in the late evening? or I need to spend a night in Malta. thank you!
Hi Sophia,
Yes it is possible to leave in the morning and arrive in the evening!
8:30 is earliest departure and latest departure from Malta is 18:00, here you can see the schedule. Make sure you book your tickets in advance!
Hi I’m planning to travel Malta with my husband from January 18-26 2024.I would like to visit Sicily for a day or two..would like to know your itenerary for so..
8:30 is earliest departure and latest departure from Malta is 18:00, here you can see the schedule. Make sure you book your tickets in advance!. Make sure you book your tickets in advance!
What are the ferry charges from Malta to Sicily
@ Sonia
These are (more or less, things can change a bit) the prices for Malta to Sicily:
Normal Return – €109.00
One Way – €68.00
I want to go from Sicily to Malta on the 26 December and come back on the 14 january . Where can I book ?
Hey Pascale,
If you can't book the trip yet others also can't, just wait a bit until the 2024 schedule arrives. You can book here.
Good luck!
I want to take a rental car on the ferry from Malta to Sicily. I need to provide the registration number for the ferry booking but I won’t have it until I pick up the car. Is there any way to book a ticket without those details?
Hi Karl,
I would really advise you to talk with your car-rental company about this. I think you are not allowed to take your rental car from Malta to Sicily!
I would like to book 2 tickets for Valletta – Pozzallo on the 8th of October 2023 but it appears that I can not, are there any ferrys that work then?
When will the timetable for May2024 be available please?
Hi J Lapinskas,
It seems to some of the schedules for May 2024 are already available, you can find more information on the exact dates and times in this table:https://www.virtuferries.com/schedule/6
Let me know if you have any remaining questions!
Best, JW
I’m trying to find out if I can catch the ferry from Valetta to Catania in October? Specifically on 10 October 2024. It doesn’t seem to allow me to book in October.
Hi Sarah,
We also checked, I think the sailing schedule for Q4 for the ferries still have to be made. When we check Virtu Ferries we can't use the booking engine from October onwards yet. Should be available shortly.
Best regards,
IS there a charge for luggage for foot passengers?
Hi Pauline,
Great question, thanks. No there is no charge for luggage for foot passengers. You can are allowed to carry a maximum of 3 pieces of personal baggage per person. Which can't exceed H 50cms x W 40cms x L 80cms (170 linear cms). This must be deposited in the baggage trolley or the storage place reserved on the vessel as indicated by the vessel’s crew.
Hope this helps.
Let me know if you have any remaining questions.
Best regards,
JW