Ferries to Sicily
Ferry to Sicily: fastest, easiest and best routes to compare
You can reach Sicily by ferry from mainland Italy, Malta and Sardinia. The quickest crossing is Villa San Giovanni to Messina, the classic short hop across the Strait of Messina. If you are starting further north, longer ferries from Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples or Salerno can reduce the amount of driving before you reach the island.
This guide helps you compare the main ways to sail to Sicily: the fast Strait of Messina crossing, longer mainland Italy routes, and island-to-island ferries from Malta and Sardinia.
Ferries to Sicily in short
- Fastest ferry: Villa San Giovanni to Messina, usually around 20 minutes.
- Most frequent short crossing: the Strait of Messina ferries run day and night, with very frequent departures.
- Best from northern Italy: Genoa to Palermo, a long crossing that can save a major drive south.
- Best from Rome or central Italy: Civitavecchia to Palermo or Termini Imerese, depending on the timetable.
- Best from Naples or Campania: Naples to Palermo, Naples to Termini Imerese or Salerno to Messina.
- Best island combination: Malta to Sicily or Sardinia to Sicily.
- Best advice: compare the ferry with your full driving route, not just the sailing time.
Our straightforward top picks
- If you only need to cross to Sicily: choose Villa San Giovanni to Messina. It is the shortest and most frequent option.
- If you are driving from northern Italy: compare Genoa to Palermo. It is a long sailing, but it can replace many hours on the motorway.
- If you are starting around Rome: look at Civitavecchia to Palermo or Civitavecchia to Termini Imerese. These routes can work well if you want to avoid driving all the way south.
- If you are travelling from Naples or the Campania area: compare Naples to Palermo, Naples to Termini Imerese and Salerno to Messina.
- If you want a two-island trip: the Malta to Sicily and Sardinia to Sicily ferries are the routes to check first.
Map: ferry routes to Sicily
The map above highlights the many options for taking a ferry to Sicily. Even if you’re flying to the island, popular destinations are easily accessible thanks to the numerous ferry connections.
For an exciting island-hopping holiday, consider the crossing between Sardinia and Sicily, allowing you to explore multiple islands in one trip. The Malta-Sicily route is another excellent choice.
Ferries to Sicily from Italy
About these crossings
If you plan to book a ferry from mainland Italy to Sicily, there are multiple options along Italy's west coast.
Ferries operate from Genoa and Civitavecchia (Rome) to Palermo and from Salerno and Villa San Giovanni to Messina.
The ferries from Rome (Civitavecchia) and Genoa are longer crossings with overnight journeys, offering a comfortable way to arrive in Sicily well-rested.
Ferry Routes from Mainland Italy to Sicily
- Villa San Giovanni to Messina
This is one of the shortest and most popular routes, ideal for travellers from the southern tip of mainland Italy (Calabria) heading to northeastern Sicily. The crossing is quick, taking just 20-30 minutes, with ferries running frequently throughout the day. - Salerno to Messina This route connects the Campania region to Sicily. The journey takes around 8-10 hours, making it a good choice for those starting from the central part of Italy’s west coast and travelling to northeastern Sicily.
- Genoa to Palermo
A longer route, perfect for travellers coming from northern Italy. The ferry crossing takes about 20-21 hours, offering a comfortable experience with onboard facilities such as cabins, restaurants, and lounges, allowing you to relax and enjoy the journey. - Civitavecchia (Rome) to Palermo
A popular route for those departing from central Italy, this crossing takes around 14-15 hours and is typically an overnight journey. Cabins are available, providing a restful trip as you head south to Palermo.
Ferry from Malta to Sicily
The Malta-Sicily ferry is a popular option, allowing you to combine two islands in one holiday. The crossing takes just 1 hour and 45 minutes, making it an excellent choice for a day trip. You can plan the trip yourself or choose one of the available ready-made tours. For more information, visit our Malta to Sicily ferry guide.
Ferry from Sardinia to Sicily
One of our favourite crossings in Europe is the ferry from Cagliari (Sardinia) to Palermo (Sicily). This journey takes 11 hours, connecting two beautiful Italian islands across the Mediterranean Sea.
On board and ferry maps
Ferry schedule / timetable
Using the booking module below, you can explore the various crossings to the Sicily and their corresponding timetables. You can also compare prices and book your tickets for crossings to or from Sicily.
