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.
Ferry from Sicily to mainland Italy: the same routes, the other way round
Heading back from Sicily to the Italian mainland? Good news: every route on this page also sails in the opposite direction. The choice works exactly the same way, just reversed. Where on the mainland do you need to be, and how much driving do you want to do?
For most travellers, the answer is simple. If you are driving and heading south or central Italy, take the short ferry from Messina to Villa San Giovanni and join the motorway in Calabria. If you are heading to Rome, Tuscany or northern Italy, a long ferry from Palermo can save you a very long day behind the wheel.
| From Sicily | To mainland Italy | Crossing time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messina | Villa San Giovanni (Calabria) | About 20 minutes | Drivers heading anywhere in southern Italy. Very frequent, day and night. |
| Messina | Salerno (Amalfi Coast) | About 9 hours | Skipping the long drive through Calabria towards Naples and the Amalfi Coast. |
| Palermo | Naples | About 10–11 hours | Overnight to Naples and Campania. |
| Palermo / Termini Imerese | Civitavecchia (Rome) | About 14–15 hours | Rome, Lazio and Tuscany. |
| Palermo | Genoa | About 20 hours | Northern Italy, and drivers heading back towards France, Switzerland or the UK. |
Crossing times are typical and vary by operator, ship and season. Always check the live timetable before you book.
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.
Crossing the Strait of Messina: what to expect
The Strait of Messina is one of the shortest and busiest ferry crossings in Europe. At its narrowest point, Sicily and Calabria are only a few kilometres apart. There is still no bridge, so the ferry is the road.
- By car or motorhome: use Villa San Giovanni ↔ Messina. Ferries run day and night, and at quiet times you can often simply drive up and take the next sailing. In July and August, and on summer weekends, queues can build up. Booking ahead then saves time.
- On foot: besides the car ferries, fast passenger boats also cross the Strait, including from Reggio Calabria to Messina. Handy if you arrive by train or plane in Reggio.
- By train: Sicily is one of the few places in Europe where some long-distance trains still cross the sea on a ferry. The carriages are shunted on board at Villa San Giovanni and roll off again in Messina. A wonderful experience if you are not in a hurry.
Our tip
Compare the whole journey, not just the sailing time. The 20-minute Messina crossing looks unbeatable, but if you are driving from Rome or further north, you still face many hours on the motorway through Calabria. An overnight ferry to or from Palermo costs more, but you arrive rested, with a day of driving saved.
Our verdict: which ferry to or from Sicily?
- Just crossing, in the south: Villa San Giovanni ↔ Messina. Fast, frequent, no need to plan much.
- Naples, Amalfi Coast or Campania: compare Salerno ↔ Messina and Naples ↔ Palermo with driving through Calabria.
- Rome or central Italy: Civitavecchia ↔ Palermo is usually the most relaxed option.
- Northern Italy or driving from the UK: Genoa ↔ Palermo. Long, but it replaces well over 1,000 km of driving.
- Island hopping: combine Sicily with Malta or Sardinia.
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.
FAQ: ferries to and from Sicily
How do I get from Sicily to mainland Italy by ferry?
The quickest way is Messina to Villa San Giovanni, a crossing of about 20 minutes that runs day and night. For longer journeys, there are ferries from Messina to Salerno and from Palermo to Naples, Civitavecchia (Rome) and Genoa.
How long is the ferry from Sicily to Italy?
Across the Strait of Messina, about 20 minutes. Longer crossings take roughly 9 hours (Messina–Salerno), 10–11 hours (Palermo–Naples), 14–15 hours (Palermo–Civitavecchia) and about 20 hours (Palermo–Genoa).
Do I need to book the Messina ferry in advance?
Usually not outside peak season, as the ferries run very frequently. In July, August and on busy summer weekends, booking ahead can save you a wait at the port.
Is there a bridge to Sicily?
No. There are long-standing plans for a bridge over the Strait of Messina, but for now the ferry is the only way to cross with a car or on foot.
Can you take the train to Sicily?
Yes. Some long-distance trains from mainland Italy are loaded onto a ferry at Villa San Giovanni and continue in Sicily from Messina.
Useful for travellers to Sicily
Tips for ferry travellers
