Ferry to Sicily
Every crossing in one place
Ferry to Sicily
Every crossing in one place
More routes than anyone else.
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Ferries to Sicily are available with Grandi Navi Veloci, Grimaldi Lines, Virtu Ferries, Caronte & Tourist & Liberty Lines Fast Ferries.
There are approximately 428 daily sailings and up to 2882 weekly sailings to Sicily. Please note that ferry schedules can change throughout the year and usually increase during the high season. Take advantage of our deal finder for the latest sailing times and availability.
There are 9 ports in Sicily. The most popular port is Trapani Port with 257 weekly sailings.
The Favignana to Trapani ferry sails approximately 13 times per day and up to 91 times per week, with an average sailing duration of 30 minutes. The Favignana Trapani ferry costs approximately $35. Please be aware that prices do not include booking fees.
The ferry from Genoa to Palermo sails approximately 6 times weekly, with a sailing duration of 19 hours 30 minutes. Genoa Palermo ferry is $506 on average. Exclusive of booking fees.
Prices will vary depending on number of passengers, vehicle type, route and sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over last 30 days and exclusive of service fees, last updated September 26.
Italian island hopping in Sicily starts from a network of well-connected coastal ports, with Palermo, Milazzo, Trapani and Porto Empedocle acting as the main gateways to the surrounding island groups. From here, high-speed hydrofoils and car ferries connect Sicily to the Aeolian, Egadi and Pelagie islands, as well as Ustica and Pantelleria.
Sailing times range from just 20–30 minutes to nearby islands like Favignana from Trapani, up to around 1–2 hours to the closest Aeolian Islands, and longer overnight crossings of up to 10 hours to more remote destinations such as Lampedusa.
Sicily’s coastline is served by several key ferry hubs, each specialising in different archipelagos. Palermo is one of the island’s busiest ports, with connections to Ustica and long-distance routes across Italy and beyond. It’s a convenient starting point for travelers combining city breaks with island excursions.
Milazzo, on the north coast, is the main port providing sailings to the Aeolian Islands. With frequent daily departures, it offers the fastest and most direct access to islands such as Lipari, Vulcano and Stromboli, with crossings starting from around 45 minutes by hydrofoil.
Trapani serves the Egadi Islands, including Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo. Crossings are short and frequent, often taking as little as 25–30 minutes, making these islands some of the easiest to visit on a day trip.
Porto Empedocle on the southern coast is the departure point for the Pelagie Islands, including Lampedusa and Linosa. These crossings are longer and more remote, ranging from around 3 hours by hydrofoil to over 10 hours by conventional ferry.
The table below covers the most popular ferry routes from Sicily to its surrounding islands. Actual schedules vary by season and ferry operator, so always confirm sailing times before booking.
| Island | High-Speed Ferry | Conventional Ferry | Island Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lipari | 1 hour – 1 hour 30 minutes | 2 hours – 3 hours | Aeolian Islands |
| Vulcano | 45 minutes – 1 hour | 1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours | Aeolian Islands |
| Stromboli | 1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours | 3 hours – 5 hours | Aeolian Islands |
| Favignana | 25–30 minutes | 1 hour | Egadi Islands |
| Marettimo | 1 hour – 1 hour 20 minutes | 2 hours | Egadi Islands |
| Lampedusa | 4 hours – 4 hours 30 minutes | 9 hours – 10 hours | Pelagie Islands |
| Ustica | 1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours 30 minutes | 3 hours | Tyrrhenian Islands |
Ferries from Milazzo to the Aeolian Islands are the most popular routes in Sicily, with crossings to Lipari and Vulcano taking as little as 45 minutes by hydrofoil. Lipari is the heart of the archipelago, with frequent onward connections to islands such as Salina, Panarea and Stromboli.
The Egadi Islands are reached from Trapani, with the ferry to Favignana taking just 25–30 minutes. These short crossings make the islands ideal for day trips, although staying overnight allows you to experience their quieter side once day visitors leave.
The ferry to Lampedusa departs from Porto Empedocle, with crossing times ranging from around 4 hours by fast ferry to over 10 hours on conventional vessels. These longer routes are less frequent but offer access to some of the most remote and unique landscapes in Italy.
Sicily’s surrounding islands provide a diverse mix of volcanic landscapes, marine reserves and traditional fishing communities, making them perfect for a varied island-hopping itinerary.
Grouping islands by location keeps ferry times manageable and allows more time to explore each destination than spent in transit. Below are popular travel itineraries for a Sicily island-hopping trip:
A classic Aeolian pairing, combining Lipari’s accessibility with Stromboli’s raw volcanic energy.
Good to know: Evening conditions offer the best views of Stromboli’s eruptions.
A west-coast route focused on short crossings and clear water.
Good to know: Favignana is busiest during the day — Marettimo offers a quieter contrast.
A simple pairing combining Sicily’s capital with a small offshore island.
Good to know: Ustica is particularly popular with divers due to its protected waters.
A more adventurous itinerary exploring Sicily’s southernmost islands.
Good to know: These routes are less frequent, so booking in advance is essential in peak season.
For more travel inspiration, see our Top 10 Islands for Budget Travelers.
Yes, there is a car ferry to Sicily. Grandi Navi Veloci, Grimaldi Lines, Caronte & Tourist & Siremar provide car ferries to Sicily.
Pets are allowed to travel on ferries to Sicily with Grandi Navi Veloci, Grimaldi Lines, Virtu Ferries, Caronte & Tourist & Liberty Lines Fast Ferries.
The price of a ferry to Sicily can fluctuate by route, operator and season. Please visit our special offers page for all the best ferry offers available.
Book ferry tickets to Sicily online with Direct Ferries by using our Deal Finder and compare routes, prices and operators for the best deals.
Find out what it's like onboard the ferries before you travel.
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