Can someone tell me; I have been told, by someone in a hotel in Salina, that the Hydrofoil from Palermo can be unreliable. Is this true and would it be better to take a train from Palermo and then the fast ferry from Milazzo?
I don't have the firsthand knowledge that a hotel proprietor on Salina should have, but I can tell you, in general terms, that the year-round hydrofoil service between Palermo and the Aeolian Islands (which includes stops at Rinella and Santa Marina di Salina) could be cancelled under the following circumstances:
1. Bad weather (by far the most common of the four reasons; sea conditions can be very unpredicatable and can change with little notice, EVEN during the summer); or
2. Mechanical failure; or
3. Strikes or other labor disruptions; or
4. Lack of passengers (should be extremely uncommon; most likely during the winter months).
SUGGESTIONS: Plan on taking the Ustica Lines direct hydrofoil service from Palermo to Salina Island (it is much more convenient, efficient and faster than connecting in Milazzo), but have a BACKUP plan in writing: the train to Milazzo, and a connecting hydrofoil to Salina. Print out the train and hydrofoil schedules in advance. Remember that bad weather cancellations from Palermo to Salina might also mean cancellations between Milazzo and Salina. Have a backup hotel(s) in Milazzo (but don't make a reservation) in case you're stranded there. Better still, have a backup plan to spend an extra night in Palermo or environs if you must delay your travel to Salina Island. Take note that the direct hydrofoil service out of Palermo increases to twice daily from June 1st through September 16, but is only thrice weekly during the rest of the year
N.B.: If you wanted to take the Siremar Lines CAR FERRY from Milazzo to Santa Marina di Salina (much less likely to be cancelled for bad weather than the hydrofoil), you would need to take the train out of Palermo at 4:05 a.m. in order to connect to the 9:00 a.m. ferry. Taking a later train won't get you to Milazzo in time for the connection. The competitor N.G.I. ferries out of Milazzo leave at ungodly hours (6:30 a.m. at 9:00 p.m.)
On my return trip home last July, leaving Salina on a beautiful sunny morning with calm seas, the hydrofoil was canceled due to mechanical failure. It just never came and we were notified of the problem only minutes before the scheduled deparature.
I totally agree with GAC. Have a back up plan at your fingertips.
Luckily I had a back up plan and was able to get to my destination despite the hydrofoil problem.
happy travels
Posts: 185 | Location: western maine mountains | Registered: 26 February 2005
It occurred to me after my post that maybe what the hotelier in Salina might have meant by using the word 'unreliable' was that there are more boats that run throughout the day from Milazzo to Salina than from Palermo. Not necessarily that the service itself was 'unreliable'.
just guessing
Posts: 185 | Location: western maine mountains | Registered: 26 February 2005
I think that GAC has it about right, i think it's to do with the weather/mechanical failure etc. I will give it a go and if it gets cancelled... it's the train/boat. Looking forward very much to going tho.
We just learned the day of our departure that our hydrofoil from Palermo to Salina was cancelled due to the "Authorities" (Whatever that means) After several hours on the phone overseas and similar time on the computer, we decided: The train to Milazzo from Palermo is to difficult, won't get you their on time, Don't know where it is, Don't know how long it would take to get to the ferry once we disembarked...Yaddayaddayadda, on and on: You know what? Let's rent a car from the Airport and drive there! So, we just changed our original reservation and added 2 more days to our rental (At an exhorbitant price of course!) but at least we will have control (Theoretically)It's funny that the hotel people don't mention any of this and to have a back up plan to go to the Aeolians! WOW! that's a load to think about! GOOD LUCK!
I think that the folks who live and work on the Aeolians just take it for granted that getting on and off of the islands can be a hit or miss thing because of all of the things that have been already brought up. Maybe Palermo has its own set of situations on top of it.
As for the "authorities" I'm clueless as to what that means. Anyone know?
I've traveled to Salina several times and really only had one time that I couldn't get to or from the island according to my first plan.
but FYI there is a bus that goes directly from the Milazzo train station to the port and it cost less than a euro last summer (.85 to be exact).
In the summer there are several hydrofoils that go to Salina from Milazzo. According to last year's schedule book Ustica lines has 7 a day and Siremar lines has 8 each day.
In addition there are the Siremar and NGI car ferries that GAC wrote about.
I'm planning to take the boat from Cefalu to Salina this June. It starts in Palermo first. We'll see how that works out. Otherwise, there's plan B (don't know what it is yet but we'll get to Salina for sure)
Posts: 185 | Location: western maine mountains | Registered: 26 February 2005
