Ferry Sicily : complete guide

For your next holiday, opt for a ferry discovery of Sicily! An exciting and atypical stay guaranteed!

At the foot of the famous Italian boot, an island wins to be visited! Sicily is an exceptional land at the southern end of Italy in the heart of the Mediterranean. Bordered by white sand beaches, surrounded by crystal clear waters, heated by the sun, dominated by the Etna and scattered with charming towns and picturesque villages, Sicily is the ideal destination for your next holidays!

And to be sure to capture all these grandiose landscapes, why not opt for an original and serene way of transport? Going by ferry to Sicily is the perfect solution for an enriching stay! Follow the guide!

Sicily by ferry: map of the various ferry crossings and routes

Through this map, we see that you have the embarrassment of choice to go by ferry to Sicily! Indeed, that you have come from France , Tunisia , from Italy, Malta or of Eloean Islands , Sicily is easily accessible by the marine routes.

Service various ports as Catania , Marsala, Messina, Milazzo or Palermo , you can get to the four corners of the island easily and visit the main Sicilian cities!

If this tourist destination makes you want, you only have one thing to do: board a ferry to Sicily, of course!

Which port is in Sicily?

You take the ferry to Sicily and you wonder which port to choose. No panic, Wanderlix introduces all Sicilian cities in which you can stop:

• Catania: The second city of Sicily, dominated by the Etna, has a historic, architectural and cultural heritage that is beyond the norm. Stop by ferry in Sicily here promises wonder and surprise. Between the Manganelli Palace, the Monasteiro dei Benedetti and the Biscari Palace, Catania offers a lot of surprises;
• Marsala: Amazing and intoxicating, this charming city is known for its wine cellars and salt marshes. In addition, Marsala is an ideal surf kite spot: continuous and powerful winds attract many lovers of strong sensations;
• Messina: Unlike the other Sicilian cities, Messina flourished in a Liberty architectural style. Charming and lively, Messina is also known for its famous bridge linking the beautiful island to the continent.
• Milazzo: bordered by the Tyrrhenian Sea, Milazzo has a rich cultural and historical heritage. From its prestigious past today remains the Citadel and the Château de Milazzo, the old Duomo de Milazzo and the church of the Madonna del Rosario. In addition to its beauty, Milazzo also attracts tourists by its strategic position that makes it easy to reach the Isles;
• Palermo: the capital of Sicily registered as World Heritage Site of Unesco since 2015 and promoted “Central of Culture” in 2018 promises you wonder and enthusiasm. Doing a ferry stop in Sicily in this place is simply magical. Don't miss the Palace of Normans, the Catacombs of the Capuchins, the Cathedral of Palermo, the Massimo Theatre, the Ballaro Market and the Cathedral of Palermo Monreale ;
• Porto Empedocle: not far fromAgrigento hides a charming modern town named Porto Empedocle! In her bosom, discover the splendid Scala dei Turchi (airways of the Turks), but also the magnificent Torre Carlo V;
• Pozzallo: This picturesque commune, autonomous since 1829, has been full of historical monuments reminiscent of its bellicose and glorious past such as the Tower of Defense. Today, this charming seaside resort lives shipyards, fishing and tourism, which is why it is easy to arrange a ferry in this Sicilian city;
• Trapani: Formerly Drepanon, Trapani is famous for its salines and the procession of Our Lady of seven pains. Totally different from the majestic Palermo and the magnificent Catania, Trapani still wins to be visited especially for his charming old town from the via Garibaldi to the corso Vittorio Emanuele;
• Termini Imerese: Once known for its thermal waters, Termini Imerese is now one of the largest ports where a ferry can be anchored in Sicily. Composed of a high city and a low city, Termini Imerese walks through narrow streets and many stairs. At the end of the day, you will be both exhausted and subjugated by Termini Imerese.

How do I go to Sicily by ferry from France?

If you wish to travel by ferry to Sicily from France, you will have no problem finding a ferries company. Direct Ferries, the ferry crossing comparison, allows you to easily book a journey. The site parallels the prices and times of the crossings available according to your information integrated in the search engine.

Whether you leave Toulon or Nice, Wanderlix tells you everything you need to know about your ferry crossing to Sicily.

From Nice

Since 2019 it is possible to travel by ferry to Sicily from Nice thanks to the company Corsica Ferries . With its expansion in the Mediterranean Sea, the shipping giant carries out a crossing per week from Nice to Trapani 6.15 p.m. .

As the port of Nice is well served, it is easy to walk, by car, by taxi or by bus. For the latter, borrow the lines l00 , 112 , 12 , 340 , 57 , 82 and stop. Port-Limpia . Please also note that shuttles regularly carry out routes between the railway station and the port.

From Toulon

Like Nice, it is also the company Corsica Ferries who performs the weekly crossing between Toulon and Trapani. On board a cruise ship, you will put 7 p.m. to reach the destination.

The terminal, located not far from rugby stadium of Mayol , has good connections to Marseille ( 35min by car ) and the rest of France, by the A50 . From the station you have to take the line 3 of the bus and descend to the Mayol stop.

What is the average fare for a ferry ride between European/African countries and Sicily?

Between France and Sicily

• Return ticket: de 75€ to 120€ about;
• Return/return ticket with vehicle: 150€ to 200€ about.

Between Tunisia and Sicily

• Return ticket: de 70€ to 150€ about;
• Return/return ticket with vehicle: 115€ to 220€ about.

Between Malta and Sicily

• Return ticket: de 70€ to 150€ about;
• Return/return ticket with vehicle: 190€ to 255€ about.

Between Italy and Sicily

• Return ticket: de 130€ to 160€ about;
• Return/return ticket with vehicle: 200€ to 250€ about.

Between the Isles and Sicily

• Return ticket: de 30€ to 60€ about;
• There exists no rides with vehicle.

How do I go to Sicily by ferry from Italy?

From Cagliari

• Cagliari-Palerme: Tirrenia assures 2 crossings per week of about 12h;
• Cagliari-Trapani: Tirrenia realizes 1 crossing per week in 20h day.

From Civitavecchia

• Between Civitavecchia & Trapani: Grimaldi Lines operates 1 crossing per week in 15h;
• Civitavecchia-Palerme : GNV ensures 3 crossings per week in 13:30;
• Civitavecchia-Termini Imrese : GNV realizes 1 crossing per week in 14:15.

From Genoa

• Genoa-Palerm: Grandi Navi Veloci performs 7 crossings per week with a departure at 11:00. The ferry route to Sicily is about 20h30.

From Livorno

• Livorno-Palerme : Grimaldi Lines is the only company that makes the journey between Livorno and Palermo. From 18h, the crossing takes place 3 times per week.

From Naples

• Between Naples and Palermo: Tirrenia and Grandi Navi Veloci ensure 15 crossings per week of about 10:30;
• Naples-Milazzo: Siremar realizes 1 crossing per week of about 16:15;
• Naples-Termini Imerese: Grandi Navi Veloci performs 5 crossings per week of about 9h.

From Reggio Calabria

• Reggio Calabria-Messine: Liberty Line operates 11 crossings per week in 25min.

From Salerne

• Between Salerno & Palermo: Grimaldi Lines and Caront facingTourist operate 6 crossings per week in 10am and 9am;
• Son of a bitch: Caront Abbas realizes 3 crossings per week in 9h ;
• Salerno-Catane: Grimaldi Lines ensures 6 crossings A week in 1:00.

From Vibo Valencia

• Vibo Valencia-Milazzo: Liberty Lines operates 2 crossings per week in 4h35.

From Villa San Giovanni

• Villa San Giovanni-Palerme : the company Caront towardsTourist performs 36 crossings per day of approximately 20min.

From the island of Pantelleria

• Pantelleria-Trapani: Liberty Lines and Siremar perform 13 crossings per week in 2h10 and 5h45 by ferry to Sicily.

From the Pelage Islands

• Lampduza-Porto Empedocle : Liberty Lines and Siremar perform 8 crossings per week in 4:15 and 9:15;
• Linosa-Porto Empedocle : Liberty Lines and Siremar realize 9 crossings per week in 3 hours and 7 hours.

From the island of Ustica

• Ustica-Palerme: Liberty Lines and Siremar perform 26 crossings per week in 1h30 and 3h;
• Ustica-Trapani: Liberty Lines realizes 1 crossing per week in 2h35.

How do I go to Sicily by ferry from the Isles?

From Lipari

• Between Lipari & Milazzo: Liberty Lines and Siremar operate 19 crossings per day in 45min and 1h40;
• Lipari-Palerme : Liberty Lines performs 7 crossings per week in 4h;
• Lipari-Messine: Liberty Lines realizes 5 crossings per day in 1h25.

From Panarea

• Panarea-Milazzo: Liberty Lines and Siremar operate 29 crossings per week in 1h40 and 3h30;
• Panarea-Messine: Liberty Lines and Siremar realize 14 crossings per week in 2h05.

From Rinella

• Between Rinella & Palermo: Liberty Lines performs 7 crossings per week in 3:15;
• Rinella-Milazzo: Liberty Lines and Siremar operate 49 crossings per day in 1h40 and 2h45;
• Rinella-Messine: Liberty Lines has 14 crossings per week in 2h20.

From Alicudi

• Alicudi-Palerme: Liberty Lines performs 7 crossings per week in 1h55;
• Alicudi-Milazzo: Liberty Lines and Siremar operate 20 crossings per week in 2h40 and 5h.

From Filicudi

• Filicudi-Palerme: Liberty Lines performs 7 crossings per week in 2h35;
• Filicudi-Milazzo: Liberty Lines and Siremar operate 20 crossings per week in 2:10 and 5:00.

From Ginostra

• Ginostra-Milazzo: Liberty Lines and Siremar operate 25 crossings per week in 2h10 and 4h25.

From Stromboli

• Between Stromboli & Milazzo: Liberty Lines and Siremar operate 7 crossings per day in 2h25 and 5h;
• Stromboli-Palerme: Liberty Lines performs 7 crossings per week in 5h25;
• Stromboli-Messine: Liberty Lines realizes 14 crossings per week in 1h25.

From Vulcano

• Between Vulcano & Milazzo: Liberty Lines and Siremar operate 18 crossings per day in 45min and 1h10;
• Vulcano-Palerme: Liberty Lines performs 7 crossings per week in 4h20;
• Vulcano-Messine: Liberty Lines realizes 3 crossings per day in 1h25.

From Salina

• Between Salina ' Milazzo: Liberty Lines and Siremar operate 60 crossings per week in 1h25 and 2h30;
• Salina-Palerme: Liberty Lines performs 7 crossings per week in 3:30;
• Salina-Messine: Liberty Lines realizes 3 crossings a day in 2:15.

How to get to Sicily by ferry from Malta?

From La Valette

• La Valette-Catane: Virtu Ferries and Grimaldi Lines operate 5 crossings per day in 4:15 and 7:00;
• La Valette-Pozzallo: Virtu Ferries performs 12 crossings per day in 1h45.

How do I go to Sicily by ferry from Tunisia?

From Tunis

• Tunis-Palerme: Grandi Navi Veloci and Grimaldi Lines operate 3 crossings per week in 11am and 8:15am.

How do I travel by ferry to Sicily?

• Palermo-Milazzo: Liberty Lines operates 6 crossings per week in 5:10;
• Milazzo-Palerme: Liberty Lines performs 7 crossings per week in 5:15.

What are the companies that operate the crossings to/from Sicily?

There is a plethora of private ferries companies discover Sicily. To help you, we categorized them by country:

• France: Corsica Ferries ;
• Italy: GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci), Tirrenia, Grimaldi Lines and Caronte & Tourist ;
• The Eolian Islands: Liberty Lines and Siremar ;
• Malta: Virtu Ferries and Grimaldi Lines ;
• Tunisia: GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci), Grimaldi Lines and CTN Ferries.

What is the best time to travel to Sicily by ferry?

Wanderlix recommends that you travel by ferry to Sicily April to November in particular Spring . At this time, temperatures are mild and the constant sunshine. Spring, unlike the high tourist season, is also more conducive to cultural visits, hiking and quiet.

Tips for travelling by ferry to Sicily

Reservation

To book your ferry ticket in Sicily, go to Direct Ferries to find the best ferry deals:

• Choose your seat or private cabin online;
• Enter your civil status information (name, first name), telephone number and email address;
• An insurance option is offered: for a few extra euros per passenger, the site offers insurance to cancel a trip up to 48 hours in advance, with a full refund of the ticket;
• An email is sent to you after making the payment.

Note: Open tickets are valid for 1 year.

Good to know.

• If you own a vehicle, check that the company can accommodate yours. Plus, rates vary depending on length your vehicle (motorcycles will cost less than caravans);
• On board the ferry, your pet can accompany you in the specific cabins and in the areas of public spaces and restaurants reserved for it. In addition a supplement ranging from 10€ to 20€ you will be asked for your pet;
• To restore you on board your ferry to Sicily, you will have the embarrassment of choice. Between buffets at will, food shops, snacks and restaurants, the restaurant offer is diverse and varied, which will appeal to the greatest number of people;
• The journey being long enough, you may want to rest in order to be in shape once you arrive at your destination. In a ferry to Sicily, several sleeping options offer yourself: armchair, exclusive cabin, bed, luxury cabin... It depends on your budget!

So, what do you expect to take the ferry to Sicily?