My friend and I are headed to the Aeolian Islands (Salina, to be exact) on October 6th.
We are leaving from Naples, and need to get to Salina.
My question: 1) Does anyone know if there is more than one ferry that does this trip? The one that I looked at stops service from Naples to Salina September 30th. 2) Any tips for travel? Train to...? Where should we get off and catch the ferry?
I believe that Siremar operates an overnight ferry from Naples directly to the Aeolian Islands year round, I think twice a week. That is the most direct way to go.
However, for more complete information from other folks who have more experience about all the options for the Aeolian Islands you can use the "find" feature and type in your keywords.
I can share what I did to get to Salina this past July. The overnight ferry from Naples was not running on the day I was headed down to the island. so....
I took a train (overnight from Naples), left Naples at around 10pm and arrived in Milazzo very early AM, between 5-6. Cost with "amica" fare was 19.60 euros. I didn't get a couchette on the train.
From Milazzo train station there is a bus which takes you directly to the dock for the hydrofoils that go to the Aeolian Islands. Cost .85 euro
Purchase your tickets across the street from the dock at the office of the ferry company. I took Ustica Lines. cost about 15 euros
I disembarked in Santa Marina Salina. If you are going to Capo Faro, Malfa, Leni, Rinella or Pollara there is a bus right in Santa Marina that will take you. The schedule is posted right at the bus stop. Depending on which town you get off, cost is about 1-2 euros.
As you can see, if you can get the overnight ferry from Naples, it's much easier.
Posts: 183 | Location: western maine mountains | Registered: 26 February 2005
[QUOTE]Originally posted by justjac77: My friend and I are headed to the Aeolian Islands (Salina, to be exact) on October 6th.
We are leaving from Naples, and need to get to Salina.
ANSWER: The SIREMAR overnight car ferry from Naples to the Aeolian Islands departs at 20:00 on Tuesdays and Fridays ONLY. October 6 is a Saturday, which means either:
(i) Take the FRIDAY (October 5) evening ferry direct to Rinella (Salina Island); or
(ii) Take the daylight or overnight train from Naples to Milazzo on Saturday, then the hydrofoil or ferry onwards to Santa Marina di Salina, as Aeolian Goddess did. Try to book the discounted, advance-purchase "AMICA" rail fare to save 20% off the "standard" fare.
FROM OCTOBER THROUGH MAY, the twice-weekly Siremar overnight car ferry is the ONLY ONLY ONLY direct transportation from Naples to the Aeolian Islands. If the ferry schedules don't work for you, take the train to Milazzo. (The competing MEDMAR LINES overnight car ferry ceases service on September 14; the hydrofoil stops on September 30).
www.siremar.it (NOTE: the ferry schedules between Naples and the Aeolian Islands for October should be identical to those for April/May. The October schedules should be posted online in September)
UPDATE: I just received an e-mail from Medmar Lines. They advise that the once-weekly overnight car ferry service between Naples and the Aeolian Islands (in competition with Siremar Lines) will NOT NOT be restored this June, as during the previous two summers. Consequently, the twice weekly Siremar Lines ferry will be the ONLY overnight maritime service to the Islands from Naples.
