You can purchase a reclining seat on the SNAV Lines daily overnight car ferry between Naples and Palermo for as little as 34.45 Euros. An inside twin cabin with facilities costs as little as 52.45 Euros per person.
The SNAV twin ferries "Sicilia" and "Campania", both built in 1974 and recently modernized, displace 26,900 tons, measure 568 feet in length, 83 feet in width, travel at 20 knots, and accommodate 950 passengers and 600 autos.
The ferry departs at 20:00 and arrives at destination at 6:30 the following morning.
TIRRENIA LINES COMPETING FERRY:
Fares for the competing Tirrenia Lines daily overnight car ferry are slightly higher: 41.14 Euros for a first class reclining seat; 56.79 Euros (per person) for an inside twin cabin with facilities.
The Tirrenia ferry's schedule is nearly identical to that of SNAV.
The Tirrenia twin ferries "Florio" and "Rubattino" were built respectively in 1999 and 2001, displace 30,800 tons, measure 590 feet in length, 85 feet in width, travel at 23 knots, and accommodate 1470 passengers and 625 autos.
Tirrenia's newly revamped website has color photos of the interiors of its ships.
NOTE: Fares quoted above are for "low" season (most of the year). Fares are slightly higher during the peak summer months and other holiday periods.
TIP: Cabins should be booked in advance. Reclining seats should be booked in advance during the summer and holiday periods.
TIP: Tirrenia's first class reclining seats are reputed to be much more comfortable than SNAV's reclining seats (they also cost more).
TIRRENIA ACCOMMODATIONS:
For those who might be interested, the Tirrenia ferries have a total of 289 cabins on two decks, as follows:
75 twin cabins, of which 43 outside 212 quad cabins, of which 72 outside 2 cabins for the disabled, each accommodating three persons
Total accommodations in cabins: 1004 passengers
Add: 195 first class reclining seats and 272 passengers in "passaggio ponte", i.e. no guaranteed seat, but may claim any available cocktail lounge seat or sofa. Total permissible passengers load: 1,471.
I have never been able to find comparable information for the SNAV ferries.
TIP: Reserve early for the twin cabins. They tend to get snatched early. If you're travelling solo, seriously consider a reclining seat. You'll save a bunch, and the crossing takes about as long as a transatlantic flight, but the ferry seats are more comfortable than transatlantic economy class.
NOTE: Ferry service is only rarely cancelled for poor weather.
NOTE: From the end of July through the 10th of September, Tirrenia Lines has additional DAYTIME crossings on the weekends.
ALTERNATIVE TRAIN SERVICE:
BY CONTRAST, you can take a direct Intercity Plus (ICplus) train from Naples to Palermo in 8.5 hours for as little as 15 Euros, with the "Freedom to Travel" advance purchase promotional rates.
The ferry is much more comfortable than the train, unless one is particularly sensitive to motion sickness.
UPDATE: Checking the current low season fares, I find that rates for both Tirrenia and SNAV between Naples and Palermo are now nearly identical.
The Tirrenia ships, however, are somewhat larger, slightly faster and more modern that those of SNAV, if this makes any difference, as schedules are nearly identical.
SNAV is reportedly working on acquiring brand new car ferries to replace the twin "Campania" and "Sicilia" on this route.
TIRRENIA AND SNAV WILL HAVE DAYLIGHT SAILINGS ON SUMMER WEEKENDS BETWEEN NAPLES AND PALERMO
As is the seasonal custom, both Tirrenia and SNAV Lines will run DAYLIGHT car ferries between Naples and Palermo on the WEEKENDS only from July 29 through September 3.
SNAV ferries will run on Saturdays only, while Tirrenia will run ferries on Saturdays, Sundays and select Fridays as well.
The SNAV ferry departs at 9:30 and arrives at 20:00 (in both directions). The Tirrenia ferry departs at 10:00 and arrives at 18:00 (in both directions).
Because the crossing is entirely by day, cabins and even reclining seats are not necessary. Deck passage (no guaranteed seat) costs (at most) 50.61 Euros on Tirrenia and 45.90 Euros on SNAV. There are lots of seats in the cocktail lounge of the ferries, as well as some plastic benches available. However, these non-reserved seats tend to get "grabbed" in a hurry. By reserving a reclining seat at a very small premium, you are guaranteed not to stand or sit on the deck.
The daytime crossings are an alternative to the daily, year-round overnight ferry crossings, as well as to the trip by train across the Straits of Messina and up the western coast of Calabria.
The crossing on Tirrenia is faster because its ferries are larger, faster and more modern than those of SNAV.
The Tirrenia twin ferries "Florio" and "Rubattino" were built respectively in 1999 and 2001, displace 30,800 tons, measure 590 feet in length, 85 feet in width, travel at 23 knots, and accommodate 1470 passengers and 625 autos.
Here are photos of the SNAV ferries on the same route:
The SNAV twin ferries "Sicilia" and "Campania", both built in 1974 and recently modernized, displace 26,900 tons, measure 568 feet in length, 83 feet in width, travel at 20 knots, and accommodate 950 passengers and 600 autos.
HISTORICAL NOTE: "Sicilia", formerly the "Norland" of P & O Ferries, had a distinguished career as a British troop transport during the Falkland Islands War in 1982.
This is a very good and useful information. You mention for the twin cabins, but I have a question about quad cabins. If we are 3 people: 2 adults and a child, then if we reserve a quad cabin, would this cabin be reserved for us?
When I look at www.aferryto.com it is more expensive having the quad cabin than atwin, which makes sense. But then, do they add an extra person to that available place, or is the cabin reserved to you? I guess it is the same question if you are single in a double cabin.
On Tirrenia Lines, children up to 3 years, 364 days of age, travel free, unless they occupy a berth or reclining seat. So, you could book a twin cabin, if you don't mind sharing the bunk with the child.
If the child is between 4 years and 11 years, 364 days of age, he/she pays 50% of the adult ticket, and is entitled to a separate accommodation. You can book a quad cabin. The two adults pay full fare, the child 50%, and the you additionally pay 50% of the cost of the fourth (unoccupied) berth. But the cabin will be assigned exclusively to you. If you've paid the supplement for the unoccupied berth, the Company CANNOT assign a stranger to your cabin. In any event, you'll have the only key to the cabin.
Some quad cabins are reserved for passengers who don't mind sharing with others. These passengers will pay for only their own berth, but risk finding themselves sharing with strangers (if the ship carries a heavy passenger load). These cabins are assigned on a gender basis (all male or all female).
I have not been able to find the tariff rules for SNAV Lines, but suspect that they are similar. I do notice that a "child" on SNAV pays a reduced fare, but it is a little more than 50% of the adult fare. "Child" is not defined.
Between the two giant sister ships is the SNAV "Orion", the giant catamaran used on the crossing between Naples and the Aeolian Islands in July and August.
First of all, the title to this posting should now read:
"Naples to Palermo Ferry as Low as 43.50 Euros per person"
Now, here is a comparison of fares for the three modes of transportation between Naples and Palermo: air, ferry and rail:
AIR:
Alpi Eagles has three daily nonstop flights (50 mins.) on 94-seat Fokker 100 jets, at fares starting as low as 68.50 Euros (including all taxes and surcharges, credit card sale)
SNAV and Tirrenia each have daily overnight traditional car ferries on this route. As explained earlier, the Tirrenia ships are more modern and slightly larger. The ships depart within 15 minutes of each other, and arrive in Palermo nearly at the same time. Crossing takes about 10 hours.
Lowest fare is 43.50 Euros for a reclining seat on SNAV or 46.31 Euros on Tirrenia. A reclining seat is particularly attractive for a solo traveller, or someone on a tight budget.
A twin outside cabin in low season on SNAV costs 66.75 Euros (per person) or 70.02 Euros (per person) on Tirrenia. Fares are higher during other periods, but much of the year is considered "low season".
RAIL:
There are two daily daylight ICP trains. A reserved seat costs 47.50 in second and 65.50 in first class. The daylight trains take just under 9 hours. There are usually one first class, and four second class, railcars bound for Palermo on each train.
There are also two daily night Espresso trains. These trains do NOT have standard seats, only sleeping accommodations. A bunk in a "C4 Comfort Couchette" (which sleeps 4) costs 61.50 Euros; a bunk in a twin sleeper costs either 74.50 or 90.79 Euros (the higher fare being in the slightly larger sleepers). The night trains take about 10 hours.
RECOMMENDATIONS: The plane is obviously the fastest means of transport, and the fare of 68.50 Euros is a good one.
As between the ferry and the train, I recommend the former, most certainly when compared to the night trains. A twin cabin on the ferry costs slightly less than a twin compartment on the night train, travel time is nearly identical, but the ferry offers so much more than the train in terms of comfort, variety and freedom of movement. A quad cabin on the ferry also costs less than the "C4 Comfort Couchette" on the night train. The cabin on the ferry is also larger than the compartment on the train, and has private facilities (not so on the train). Also, consider the beautiful scenery from the ferry when arriving in the early morning. Even a reclining seat on the ferry costs less than a second class seat on the daylight train, with the same advantages over the train noted above.
Of course, by taking the overnight ferry (or the night train), you save the cost of one night's hotel in either Naples or Palermo, something more to factor into your decision.
If you decide to take the daylight train, I much prefer the earlier departing one, which arrives in Palermo in daylight (during the spring/summer/early autumn). The three hours along the northern coastline of Sicily provide very decent scenery, the train is "all reserved" (meaning there won't be any standing passengers) and the train compartments have been upgraded to "IC Plus" standard. But don't forget to bring sandwiches/beverages on board with you, as there is no dining car.
If you decide to take the overnight ferry, remember that you have the possibility of dining either in the restaurant or in the self-service cafeteria. After dinner, you can watch a movie in the cinema on board (4 Euros), or spend time in the TV lounge, piano bar lounge, shopping area, or videogame room. The Tirrenia website has good photos of each activity.
This is the photo I was searching for but did not find in time to include in the previous posting: the FIRST CLASS reclining seats on one of the Tirrenia Lines superferries which are very similar to those on the Florio/Rubattino twin ferries between Naples and Palermo. These seats are arranged in pairs, and are wider, have more leg room, and recline more than economy seats on transatlantic flights. There are a total of 195 first class reclining seats on these twin ships, (and there are no second class seats). One-way fares start as low as 46.31 Euros per person in low season (most of the year), inclusive of all taxes. This compares favorably to the second class fare for the ICP daylight train between Naples and Palermo (47.50 Euros). Solo travellers and those on a tight budget should find the reclining seats adequate for the relatively short overnight crossing (under 10 hours), also considering that some of the time will be spent in the ship's restaurant or cafeteria, two bars, other public areas, and perhaps even watching a movie in the theatre. Early morning arrival in Palermo or Naples is a particularly enjoyable experience to witness from the ship's open deck. Even though the main lights in the reclining seat salon are usually dimmed after 11 p.m. (leaving on only dimmer lighting), for extra comfort, I recommend bringing eyeshades, ear plugs, and perhaps some reading material. The reclining seats are located on deck 7 (lowest of the three passengers decks), near the middle of the ship, in a single closed salon, and surrounded by sleeping cabins.
Checking the various websites, here is an update on fares for travel between Naples and Palermo:
AIR:
60.69 Euros one way on Air One.
NOTE: Alpi Eagles airlines has been grounded by action of the Italian Civil Aviation Authority, allegedly for lack of airworthy aircraft (as well as failure to pay airport landing fees). This leaves Air One operating the route.
FERRY:
46.50 Euros for a reclining seat on SNAV Lines
47.56 Euros for a reclining seat on Tirrenia Lines
NOTE: Twin and Quad cabins also available at a higher fare.
TRAIN:
35.80 Euros (or 26.20 Euros AMICA fare) for a second class seat on the EXP night train.
47.50 Euros (or 38.40 Euros AMICA fare) for a second class seat on either of the two daylight ICP trains
NOTE: Sleepers and couchettes also available on the night train at a higher fare. First class seats available at a higher fare on the daylight trains (but NOT on the night train)
OPINION: If you're in a hurry, take the plane. If you're travelling by night, take the overnight car ferry. If you want to enjoy the coastal scenery, take the EARLIER of the two ICP daylight trains.
The LOWEST current one-way fare between Naples and Palermo on Air One is 78.69 Euros, but the fare can increase to 179.69 Euros on certain dates. There are three flights daily using regional jet aircraft. Here are some photos:
The fares shown above for a reclining seat on the overnight car ferry have remained essentially the same: 49 Euros on SNAV, and 49.86 Euros on Tirrenia. Sleeping cabins cost more. Service is daily with both companies.
TRAIN:
The fares shown above for a reserved seat on the day and night trains have not changed. Sleepers and couchettes on the night train cost more. There are two daily daylight, and one daily night, trains.
REQUEST TO WEBSITE MODERATOR: would you please update the title of the posting to reflect the current rate of 49 Euros (rather than 43.50 Euros). Thanks.
