Sicily is well served by car ferry and hydrofoil from the Italian mainland. Here is a summary of significant services:
1. Villa San Giovanni and Reggio di Calabria to Messina: frequent car ferry service throughout the day. Additional frequent hydrofoil services. Trains cross the Straits of Messina from Villa San Giovanni on special ferry boats. There is additionally hydrofoil service between Messina and the Reggio di Calabria airport, in connection with flights.
2. Reggio di Calabria to Aeolian Islands: Ustica Lines has daily hydrofoil service, increasing to five times a day from June 15 to September 30. Fare to Lipari is 17.50 Euros. Some hydrofoils stop in Messina to pick up passengers.
3. Naples to Palermo: both Tirrenia Lines and SNAV Lines operate daily overnight car ferries 365 days per year. Tirrenia has additional weekend DAYLIGHT sailings from the end of July through the 10th of September. A twin outside cabin ranges from 61.11 to 78.04 Euros per passenger, depending on season. Inside twins and quads available for less. A first class reclining seat ranges from 37.40 to 45.97 Euros. Deck passage (no guaranteed seat) ranges from 35.78 to 41.70 Euros. Port taxes are an additional 3.09 Euros per person. Ferry boat accommodates automobiles and trucks as well. Tirrenia ferry has air conditioning, restaurant, cafeteria, two cafe/bars, cinema, game room, card room, shopping, and large public salon. Tirrenia ships, built in 1999 and 2001 ("Florio" and "Rubattino") displace 30,800 tons, are 595 feet in length, travel at 23 knots, and can accommodate 1,400 passengers and 700 automobiles. There are 288 cabins and nearly 200 first class seats. SNAV ships, built in 1974 ("Campania" and "Sicilia") displace 27,000 tons, are 568 feet in length, travel at 20 knots, and can accommodate 950 passengers and 600 automobiles. Tirrenia crossing takes approx. 9.5 hours. SNAV ferries take one hour longer and cost less. Cabins and reclining seats should be reserved in advance, particularly during the summer. By contrast, Naples to Palermo by train takes as little as 8.5 hours by daylight Intercity train.
4. Naples to Catania: TTT Lines operates a daily overnight car ferry 365 days per year. A twin outside cabin ranges from 65 to 90 Euros per passenger, depending on season. Inside twins, triples and quads available for less. A reclining seat ranges from 35 to 55 Euros. Deck passage (no guaranteed seat) ranges from 25 to 38 Euros. Port taxes are an additional 2.50 Euros per person. Twin ships "Partenope" and "Trinacria," both built in 2002, displace 25,000 tons, are 610 feet in length, and can accommodate 950 passengers. Crossing takes 10.5 hours. Restaurant and cafeteria. By contrast, Naples to Catania by train takes as little as 7 hours by daylight Intercity train.
5. Naples to Aeolian Islands, terminating in Milazzo: Siremar Lines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tirrenia, operates overnight car ferries twice weekly from October through June, and four times weekly from July through September. Cabins and reclining seats available. High-season fares from Naples to Lipari (other islands essentially the same): twin cabin with facilities: 60.40 Euros per person (74.40 Euros for single use); twin cabin w/o facilities: 54.90 Euros per person (66.40 Euros for single use); reclining seat: 44.90 Euros; deck passage (no guaranteed seat): 39.40 Euros. Port taxes an additional 80 cents. Crossing takes 8 hours to Stromboli, 12.5 hours to Lipari. Stops also at Ginostra (9 hrs.), Panarea (10.5 hrs.), Salina (11.5 hrs.) and Vulcano (13.5 hrs.) before terminating in Milazzo (15.5 hrs.).
THIS IS A PARTICULARLY SCENIC CROSSING, and affords TRULY magnificent panoramas of the Aeolian Islands. Siremar has now substituted two much larger and more modern ships on this route: the "Palladio" and "Laurana" (formerly operated on Adriatica Line routes). These newer ships displace 11,000 tons, are 403 feet in length, 64 feet in width, travel at 17 knots, have 158 cabins and 200 reclining seats with decent recline and leg-room (in a closed salon), and can accommodate 800 passengers and 276 automobiles. There is a cafeteria and two bars on board, as well as a panoramic outside promenade which extends nearly the full length of the ship on both sides.
By contrast, Naples to Milazzo by train takes as little as 6 hours by daylight Intercity train. Milazzo to Lipari by hydrofoil takes an additional hour.
NOTE: SEE IMPORTANT UPDATE BELOW CONCERNING THE BRAND NEW (SUMMER 2005) SIREMAR SUPER-FAST CAR-FERRY FROM NAPLES NON-STOP TO LIPARI IN FOUR HOURS FROM MID-JUNE THROUGH OCTOBER.
NOTE: SEE IMPORTANT UPDATE BELOW CONCERNING THE BRAND NEW (JULY/AUGUST 2005) MEDMAR LINES ONCE PER WEEK CAR FERRY BETWEEN NAPLES AND THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS IN COMPETITION WITH THE SIREMAR FERRIES.
6. Naples to Aeolian Islands - HYDROFOIL. Both SNAV and Ustica Lines operate daily hydrofoils (passengers only), subject to cancellation for bad weather, between Naples and Stromboli, Panarea, Salina, Lipari and Vulcano. Ustica Lines runs from June 26 through September 30. Crossing to Stromboli costs 56.80 Euros (4 hours), Panarea 64.00 Euros (4.5 hours), and Lipari 74.90 Euros (5 hours). SNAV schedule and fares similar. Crossing can be rough. Carry dramamine as a precaution. NOT SCENIC - windows, which are close to the water line, often fog up, and/or are marred or dirty. Spray from waives can cloud windows. Must retain seat for duration of crossing. Only bar service (and rest rooms) available. Ustica Lines hydrofoil accommodates approx. 240 passengers on two decks.
NOTE: SEE IMPORTANT UPDATE BELOW CONCERNING THE NEW (SUMMER 2005) SNAV GIANT CATAMARAN (replacing the smaller hydrofoil), WHICH ACCOMMODATES 700 PASSENGERS ON TWO DECKS.
7. Genova (Genoa) to Palermo: Grimaldi Lines (Grandi Navi Veloci) operates a car ferry six times weekly throughout the year. Suites, cabins and reclining seats available. Suite costs between 140 and 180 Euros per person, depending upon season. Outside twin costs between 130 and 170 Euros per person. Inside twins, triples and quads cost less. Reclining seat costs between 64 and 99 Euros. Grimaldi has the most luxurious ferry fleet amongst all Italian ferries. Huge vessels: the newest to join the fleet in 2003, "La Superba" and "La Suprema" displace 49,300 tons, are 694 feet in length, 100 feet in width, 11 decks, 2,900 passengers, 1,000 automobiles, 567 cabins, 29 knots. Pool, shopping arcade, gymnasium, solarium, beauty salon, cinema, large public salon with pianobar and animation shows at night, disco, restaurant, cafeteria, pizzeria, gelateria. Crossing takes 20 hours.
8. Civitavecchia (Port of Rome) to Palermo: Grimaldi Lines operates three times weekly. Suites, cabins and reclining seats available. Suite: 91-139 Euros per person; outside twin: 79-109 Euros per person (inside twins, triples and quads cost less); reclining seat: 41-63 Euros. Ship dimensions and amenities similar to previous description. Crossing takes 12 hours.
9. Livorno (Leghorn) to Palermo: Grimaldi Lines operates this route periodically (NOT in June, July or August). Suites, cabins and reclining seats available. Suite: 127 Euros per person; outside twin: 117 Euros per person (inside twins, triples and quads cost less); reclining seat: 64 Euros. Ship dimensions and amenities similar to previous description. Crossing takes 19 hours.
10. Salerno to Messina: of relatively little interest, there is a daily car ferry from Salerno to Messina, operated by Caronte & Tourist Line. Departs Salerno at 13:30, arrives Messina at 21:00. Return voyage at night. Fares: 15 to 21 Euros deck passage; 20 to 26 Euros second class seat; 25 to 31 Euros first class seat. Cabins also available at higher fare. Ferry ship "Cartour", built in 2001, displaces 25,000 tons, measures 610 feet in length, travels at 24 knots, and accommodates 1000 passengers. Most travellers would prefer to take one of the two daylight Intercity trains, which make the journey in only 5 hours.
11. Naples to Ustica: Ustica Lines operates a hydrofoil from June 1 to September 30, departing at 15:00 on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. One way fare is 66 Euros. Hydrofoil continues on to the Egadi Islands and Trapani. Crossing to Ustica takes four hours, to Trapani (83 Euros), seven hours.
Ustica Lines operates frequent year-round hydrofoils between Sicily (Milazzo, Messina, Palermo, Cefalu) and the Aeolian Islands. Siremar operates BOTH car ferries and frequent hydrofoils from Milazzo to the Aeolian Islands, year-round. The car ferry is much more scenic, much more seaworthy, much less subject to cancellation due to bad weather, costs about half what the hydrofoil costs, BUT is less frequent and takes twice as much time. You can ride the car ferry all the way to Filicudi and Alicudi (4-5 times per week) as well as to Panarea and Stromboli (Tuesday and Friday only). There is more service to Vulcano, Lipari and Salina, than to the other islands. The hydrofoil from Palermo and Cefalu to the Aeolian Islands is now year-round (although only three times weekly in winter). If arriving by train from the Italian mainland, get off at Milazzo and take a taxi or the city bus to the dock. Milazzo to Lipari is one hour by hydrofoil; two hours by car ferry. Travel time to Vulcano is less; to other islands, more. High season fares from Milazzo to Lipari: car ferry 6.60 Euros, fast car ferry 8.40 Euros, hydrofoil 11.30 Euros. Palermo to Lipari (hydrofoil only): 31.30 Euros; Cefalu to Lipari (hydrofoil only): 21.69 Euros; Messina to Lipari (hydrofoil only): 16.50 Euros. In the summer, there are 17 daily hydrofoils between Milazzo and Lipari. (In winter, there are 13 daily hydrofoils). Crossings in winter are often cancelled for bad weather.
CAR FERRIES: The Siremar traditional car ferry runs year-round out of Milazzo, at 7:00, 9:00 and 18:30. The morning ferries run to Vulcano, Lipari and Salina; the evening ferry to Vulcano and Lipari only. NOTE: The 7:00 ferry operates on Saturdays only from June 1 through September 30. The 9:00 ferry operates on Sundays only from April 1 through October 31. From June through September, a FAST ferry is added two or three times per day non-stop in one hour to Lipari ONLY. From July through September, the fast ferry departs Milazzo daily at 9:30, 13:20 and 17:15. Crossings in winter are sometimes cancelled for bad weather. NOTE: Ferry schedules for summer 2005 have seasonal and Sunday variations. Consult the latest information at http://www.siremar.it. Traditional ferries "Filippo Lippi" and "Giovanni Bellini" displace 1555 tons, measure 210 feet in length, 46 feet in width, travel at 16.5 knots, and accommodate 800 passengers and 70 automobiles. The fast ferry "Isola di Stromboli" displaces 4460 tons, measures 312 feet in length, 55 feet in width, traqvels at 28 knots, and accommodates 800 passengers and 168 automobiles. Siremar is in process of substituting larger traditional ferries for the Lippi and Bellini.
2. EGADI ISLANDS (Favignana, Levanzo, Marettimo, all off Trapani)
HYDROFOILS:
Ustica Lines and Siremar both operate year-round hydrofoils to the Egadi Islands. Most service is from Trapani (at least 16 daily to Favignana/Levanzo and 4 daily to Marettimo). Also service from Marsala (year-round), and from other towns in the northwest corner of Sicily (summer only). Trapani to Favignana or Levanzo takes 15 minutes by hydrofoil. Trapani to Marettimo one hour by hydrofoil. High season fares from Trapani or Marsala to Levanzo/Favignana: 5.30 Euros; to Marettimo: 11.80 Euros. Crossings in winter are often cancelled for bad weather.
CAR FERRIES:
Siremar operates car ferries year-round from Trapani to all three islands. In July and August, there are seven ferries daily to Favignana (including four crossings with the Traghetto Veloce "Isola di Vulcano"), five ferries to Levanzo (two of which with traghetto veloce), and one to Marettimo. In winter, there are three daily ferries to Favignana, two to Levanzo and one to Marettimo. Travel time: one hour to Favignana/Levanzo; three hours to Marettimo. Summer-only "Traghetto Veloce" takes 30 minutes to Favignana. High season fares: to Favignana/Levanzo 3.20 Euros by car ferry; 4.30 Euros by "Traghetto Veloce"; to Marettimo 7.10 Euros by car ferry (no "Traghetto Veloce" to Marettimo). Crossings in winter are sometimes cancelled for bad weather. Fast ferry "Isola di Vulcano" displaces 1925 tons, measures 233 feet in length, 39 feet in width, travels at 39 knots, and accommodates 520 passengers and 57 automobiles. The traditional ferry "Simone Martini" displaces 1500 tons, measures 210 feet in length, 46 feet in width, travels at 16.5 knots, and accommodates 800 passengers and 70 automobiles.
OTHER SERVICES:
Ustica Lines also runs a hydrofoil three or four times weekly from June through September from Trapani to the Egadi Islands to Ustica and onwards to Naples. Ustica to Naples takes 4 hours, costs 66 Euros. Trapani to Ustica takes 2.5 hours, costs 19 Euros. Trapani to Naples takes 7 hours, costs 83 Euros.
NOTE: there is much cheaper car ferry service between Trapani and Naples once per week via Medmar Lines.
3. PANTELLERIA (southwest of Marsala)
Siremar has a year-round overnight car ferry from Trapani, which departs at midnight. Daily crossings from June through September; six times per week the rest of the year. Cabins are also available (though hardly necessary) for this short crossing. Travel time 5.5 hours. High season fares: 22.60 deck passage, 28.10 reclining seat, 43.60 (per person) twin cabin with facilities (57.60 single occupancy). Crossings in winter are sometimes cancelled for bad weather. Traditional ferry "Paolo Veronese" displaces 2894 tons, measures 306 feet in length, 52 feet in width, travels at 19 knots, and accommodates 693 passengers and 93 automobiles.
Siremar also has a "Traghetto Veloce" ("Guizzo") six times weekly from 26 June to 26 September from Mazara del Vallo. Travel time 90 minutes. Fare: 32.40 Euros. Guizzo displaces 3500 tons, measures 334 feet in length, 48 feet in widtgh, travels at 39 knots, and accommodates 442 passengers and 120 automobiles.
Ustica Lines runs a daily hydrofoil from Trapani daily from 10 June to 10 October. Travel time 2.5 hours. Fare: 34 Euros.
NOTE: You can FLY to Pantelleria from Trapani in 45 minutes on Air One for about the same cost as a reclining seat on the overnight ferry. You can also fly cheaply from Palermo on Meridiana.
NOTE: Reserving a reclining seat (in the dedicated salon) for an additional 5.50 Euros is useful during the night crossing, as the main public salon has only non-reclining seats, and they are too close to TV monitors.
4. PELAGIE ISLANDS (Lampedusa and Linosa, south of Porto Empedocle)
Siremar has a year-round overnight car ferry from Porto Empedocle which departs at midnight daily except Fridays. Cabins are also available for this crossing. Travel time 8 hours to Lampedusa, less to Linosa. High season fare to Lampedusa: 33.70 deck passage, 39.20 reclining seat, 54.70 (per person) twin cabin with facilities (68.70 single occupancy). Fares to Linosa slightly less. Crossings in winter are sometimes cancelled for bad weather. Occasionally, the ferry transports hazardous materials and on such crossings no passengers are allowed. The newer and much larger car ferry "Sansovino" is used on this route (sister ship of the "Palladio" and "Laurana" (described above) which crosses between the Aeolian Islands and Naples)
Ustica Lines runs a hydrofoil from Porto Empedocle year-round, though only twice weekly from November through April (and always subject to cancellation for bad weather). Travel time 4.5 hours to Lampedusa, less to Linosa. Fare to Lampedusa: 49 Euros, to Linosa 31 Euros.
NOTE: You can FLY to Lampedusa in under one hour from both Trapani (Air One) and Palermo (Meridiana) for less (or not much more) money than either the overnight car ferry or the hydrofoil from Porto Empedocle.
NOTE: Reserving a reclining seat (in the dedicated salon) for an additional 5.50 Euros is useful during the night crossing, as the main public salon has only hard, non-reclining chairs, and they are too close to TV monitors.
5. USTICA (north of Palermo)
Siremar has both a car ferry and hydrofoils year-round, departing from Palermo. Car ferry is once daily year-round. Hydrofoil is once daily in winter, up to thrice daily at the height of the summer season. Car ferry takes 2 hours, 20 minutes; hydrofoil 75 minutes. High season fares: 11 Euros by car ferry, 16.20 Euros by hydrofoil. Crossings in winter are sometimes cancelled for bad weather. Traditional ferry "Antonello da Messina" displaces 1555 tons, measures 210 feet in length, 46 feet in width, travels at 16.5 knots, and accommodates 737 passengers and 70 automobiles.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: GAC,
Thanks for posting this (and all your Trenitalia information). I hope that Pauline will preserve this for future use and I will definitely keep it in my files.
MODIFICATIONS TO NAPLES/PALERMO CROSSING ON TIRRENIA LINES
Pending the return to service of the Vincenzo Florio on the Naples/Palermo route, Tirrenia Lines is using one of its modernized "Aurelia" class car ferries (currently the "Nomentana", modernized in 2004) on alternate days with the Florio's sister ship, Raffaele Rubattino. Service remains daily overnight, in each direction.
The modernized "Aurelia" class are slower (19.5 versus 23 knots) and smaller ships (14,800 tons, 485 feet in length, versus 30,800 tons, 595 feet), but can accommodate more passengers (2,280 versus 1,400) and have an interior styling comparable to her larger sisters. There are a similar number of cabins, but no first class reclining seats. Instead, there is a larger number of second class reclining seats. As on the larger ships, there is a boutique, restaurant, cafeteria, two bars, cinema, reading room, videogames room, and large public salon.
The "Aurelia" ships date back to the late 1970's, and look very different from the more modern Florio and Rubattino.
The "Aurelia" ships will employ about 30 minutes longer to make the crossing.
The Vincenzo Florio will hopefully return to service on this route this summer.
SMOKING BANNED FROM INTERIOR SPACES OF FERRY SHIPS AND HYDROFOILS
In compliance with the newly enacted Italian legislation against smoking in public places, there will be NO SMOKING on Italian-flagged ferries and hydrofoils, with the sole exception of the outside (open-air) decks of ferries, in locations where smoking is not otherwise banned for safety reasons. Hence, there will be no smoking in the enclosed areas of these vessels, nor in any sleeping cabin.
2005 Hydrofoil Service Between Naples and the Aeolian Islands:
The summer 2005 season of hydrofoil service between Naples Mergellina and the Aeolian Islands will operate as follows (subject to cancellation due to bad weather):
SNAV Lines: once daily from 28 May through 10 September
Ustica Lines: once daily from 29 June through 30 September
The hydrofoil is the fastest but most expensive way to travel from Naples to the Aeolian Islands. For example, the one way fare from Naples to Lipari is 77 Euros on SNAV and 74.90 Euros on Ustica Lines. Much less expensive is the Siremar overnight car ferry, which runs 2, 3, 5 or 6 times weekly, depending on the month of travel; OR the direct train to Milazzo (using a Trenitalia promotional discount fare such as "Freedom to Travel"), connecting to a hydrofoil or ferry to the Islands.
It is useful to book space on the hydrofoil if travelling between July and early September.
For July and August 2005, there will be a second car ferry operator sailing between Naples and the Aeolian Islands, competing with the traditional SIREMAR car ferries:
Medmar Group will sail from Naples every Friday night at 23:00 to Stromboli, Panarea, Salina, Lipari (ar. 8:50 on Saturday morning) and Vulcano.
Return from Lipari on Saturday evening at 21:35, with arrival in Naples on Sunday morning at 7:00.
Sailings once per week during July and August ONLY.
Travel time from Naples to Stromboli will be 7 hours, or ONE HOUR FASTER than the Siremar car ferries.
One way fare Naples to Stromboli 30 Euros; Naples to Panarea 35 Euros; Naples to Salina, Lipari or Vulcano 38 Euros.
Extra charge for automobiles. NO CABINS available (SIREMAR ferries have cabins and reclining seats).
BRAND-NEW ship "Lora d'Abundo" measures 269 feet in length, 49 feet in width, travels at 18 knots, and has accommodations for 895 passengers and 140 autos. This new ship is smaller than the Siremar car ferries "Palladio" and "Laurana" used on the same route.
Service between Naples and the Aeolian Islands will commence again on June 23, 2006.
Beginning June 17, 2005, there will be a TWELFTH route between mainland Italy and Sicily (to be added to my original posting):
12. Naples to Trapani: Medmar Group (car ferry; fka Linee Lauro) will sail each Thursday evening from Naples at 18:00, arriving in Trapani on Friday morning at 7:00. Return from Trapani each Tuesday morning at 9:00, with arrival in Naples at 21:00. One way fare 5.00 Euros per passenger (can you believe it?). Reclining seat costs an additional 15 Euros. Cabins are also available for an extra charge. Car ferry "Donatella d'Abundo", built in 1971, measures 452 feet in length, 67 feet in width, displaces 11,200 tons, travels at 22.5 knots, and accommodates 1000 passengers and 800 automobiles.
So now, it will be possible to sail directly from Naples to Trapani (the ancient Drepanum), gateway to Segesta, Selinunte, Marsala, Mazara del Vallo, San Vito Lo Capo, Erice, the Egadi Islands and Pantelleria Island, non-stop and completely BYPASSING Palermo.
HINT: Read about Drepanum and the Punic Wars between Carthage and Rome in the Histories of Polybius.
Tirrenia Lines has revamped its website, mainly to provide more images of the interiors of its ships. The website now gives a fuller sampling of images of interior areas, including cabins and reclining seats.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: SUMMER HYDROFOIL SERVICE BETWEEN NAPLES AND AEOLIAN ISLANDS
SNAV Lines is now operating a giant catamaran between Naples and the Aeolian Islands, in substitution of its smaller hydrofoils.
The motorboat "ORION" is 50 meters in length, travels at 40 knots, and can accommodate a whopping 700 passengers on two decks. It is the largest and most modern catamaran in service in the Mediterranean. Built in Singapore, it was pressed into service last May, just in time for the summer 2005 season.
Travel times and fares are identical to those for the smaller hydrofoil, now operated only by Ustica Lines.
NOTE: The less expensive but slower, year-round overnight traditional car ferry operated by SIREMAR Lines continues in service between Naples and the Aeolian Islands, now with the much larger and more comfortable ship "PALLADIO" in service.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: NEW SUMMER SUPER FAST CAR FERRY NON STOP BETWEEN NAPLES AND LIPARI ISLAND IN 4 HOURS
For the first time in history, SIREMAR Lines will connect Naples with the Port of Lipari (Marina Lunga), by super-fast car ferry, in merely FOUR HOURS. The ship will sail non-stop between Naples and Lipari, skipping all intermediate islands.
The ferry ship "SCORPIO" (leased from Tirrenia Lines) will operate out of Naples at 13:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays from July 1 through September 30, and out of Lipari on Fridays at 12 noon and on Sundays at 10:30. Travel time in either direction is 4 hours. High season fares are 85 Euros in second class and 110 Euros in first class.
During the month of October, Scorpio will sail from Naples on Sundays at 13:00 and from Lipari on Saturdays at 10:30.
Thereafter, there will be no further sailings of the super fast ferry until mid-June 2006.
"SCORPIO" and its three "Jupiter Class" sister ships are the largest fast car ferries in the Mediterranean. Displacing 11,350 tons, the ship measures 478 feet in length, 72 feet in width, and accommodates 1800 passengers on two decks and 460 automobiles. There are two snack bars on board, and reclining seats for all passengers. There are no cabins.
THIS THE THE ABSOLUTELY FASTEST METHOD OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT BETWEEN LIPARI ISLAND AND NAPLES.
NOTE: as a result of the introduction of this super fast ferry, the frequency of the overnight TRADITIONAL car ferry has been reduced, essentially to TWICE per week year-round, excepting between July and September (four times per week).
NOTE: a reclining seat on the traditional ferry costs about HALF that on the super fast ferry. There are exactly 200 reclining seats on the traditional ferry, in a closed salon. The seats are more comfortable than coach class on a transatlantic flight, but not as comfortable as business class. The traditional ferry seats have a decent recline and leg room, and have a metal bar leg rest.
The car ferry Vincenzo Florio was returned to service between Naples and Palermo on May 31, 2005, after extensive repairs at Palermo harbor which lasted five months.
Accordingly, crossings by Tirrenia Lines between Naples and Palermo are once again operated by these newer large and modern twin ships.
CIVITAVECCHIA TO PALERMO TO BECOME TWICE DAILY IN JUNE 2006
Maritime services between Civitavecchia and Palermo have been bolstered considerably by the decision of Grimaldi Lines/Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) to increase its overnight car ferries from three times weekly to DAILY, and by the inauguration of SNAV overnight car ferry service this year on the same route.
GNV ferries now depart Civitavecchia daily at 20:00, arriving in Palermo the next morning at 8:00.
SNAV will inaugurate its brand-new car ferries "Lazio" and "Sardegna" between Civitavecchia and Palermo on April 10, with thrice weekly service (Monday/Wednesday/Friday) until June 13, and DAILY service from June 14 through October 14. SNAV will depart Civitavecchia at 19:00 and arrive in Palermo next morning at 8:00. The SNAV ferries will accommodate 1,800 passengers.
One-way LOW SEASON fares for both companies are essentially identical: 40 Euros for a reclining seat; 75 Euros (per passenger) for an inside twin cabin; 85 Euros (per passenger) for an outside twin cabin; and 99 Euros (per passenger) for a suite. Fares are higher in other seasons, and single, triple and quad cabin occupancy is also available at different fares.
Civitavecchia is approximately one hour by train northwest of Rome. The one-way fare on a local train is 4.10 Euros, and there are also faster IC and ICplus trains which cost more.
The cheapest form of public transportation between Rome and Palermo remains the train: as little as 15 Euros for a first or second class pivoting seat on direct ICplus day trains or ICN/EXP night trains with Trenitalia's "Freedom to Travel" advance purchase promotional fare. Twin sleepers on the night trains to Palermo can be purchased for as little as 45 Euros with the same promotional fares. This train service is described in other postings on this site:
Air fares between Rome and Palermo can be found for as little as 55-60 Euros, one-way (e.g. Air One). www.flyairone.it
The car ferry is more expensive, but sea travel is usually much more comfortable and leisurely than the train, particularly when sea conditions are calm. The GNV ferries, in particular, are known for being well-appointed.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Livorno (Leghorn) to Palermo direct ferries (previously operated by GNV thrice weekly) are now DISCONTINUED in favor of the daily service out of Civitavecchia.
GAC, you are a wealth of information about transport systems in Italy and I for one really appreciate your sharing your vast knowledge and experience. It has been very useful to me in planning our trip to Sicily and the Italian mainland in April/May. I think it was from one of your previous postings that I found out about the Catania to Salerno ferry operated by Caronte & Tourist which seems ideal for us in early May as we are staying in Acireale then moving on to Salerno. However I noted from the Caronte website prior to Christmas that the sailing was suspended and I assumed this meant that the sailing was seasonal. I am still able to access the link for the Catania/Salerno route http://www.carontetourist.it/caronteeng/CataniaSalerno.mvd which gives the time of sailing etc but that route is not listed when I proceed to the booking online section. I have tried emailing Caronte for information with no reply forthcoming. Do you know if this route is recommencing after Winter and if so when? Many thanks.
Fran46: Keep trying to contact the Caronte Office. I suspect that the Salerno-Catania-Salerno ferry service has been discontinued (for lack of passengers and cargo) and won't be started up again (certainly not in May). You can always sail from Messina to Salerno with Caronte (although the departure time is at 1:30 a.m.), or simply take the train from Acireale to Salerno (which seems by far to be the best option).
GAC - Thanks for that info. I am looking at other options and the train is high on the list - there is one (that won't take up all the day travelling) leaving Acireale at about 5.30am arriving Salerno just before noon with a couple of changes. I don't understand how we get from Messina Centrale to Messina Marittima -do we walk or is there a bus? One last question - how far ahead would we need to book either train from Acireale or ferry from Messina? I am aware that it is a national holiday on 1 May and we will want to travel late that day if by ferry or early the next day if by train. Thanks again for your help.
Fran46: I looked up the train service you cite in your earlier posting. Would it not be much easier to take the ICplus direct train departing Acireale at 9:22 a.m.? Assuming you have good reason to leave so early in the morning, here is info you should have:
From Messina Centrale to Messina Marittima is a 5 minute walk. The Regionale train from Acireale to Messina is a non-reservable commuter train, second class only. However, the ES train from Villa San Giovanni to Salerno is a reservation-only train. You can purchase reserved seats on this train up to 60 days in advance, through the Trenitalia website. However, you DON'T need to book so early, usually a couple of days beforehand is adequate. I note that the total fare from Acireale to Salerno on this service is Euro 37.85. Second class on the ES train is fine for most people. If you choose instead to go by ferry from Messina, you should book a couple of days beforehand only if you want a cabin; if a reclining seat is acceptable, you can purchase the ticket at the ticket office at the Messina Port prior to embarcation.
GAC: Thanks again for that information. We have limited time in the Salerno area so are trying to maximise it hence the early start from Acireale. Sounds like we don't have to make a decision yet on bookings so will wait until we arrive in Sicily before deciding.
