Find a crossing for the Sicilian islands

Compare here the schedules and ferry companies to the Sicilian islands: fill in the form with the destination area (e.g. Sicily by default, Aeolian Islands to filter) in the left-hand box, then choose the desired crossing on the right.

General information for reaching the islands

The sea connections to the Sicilian islands (Aeolian Islands, Egadi Islands, Ustica, Lampedusa, Pantelleria) operate all year round from several Sicilian ports, varying according to distance, season and weather conditions.
The main departures are from Milazzo (for the Aeolian Islands), Trapani (for the Egadi Islands), Palermo (for Ustica) or Porto Empedocle near Agrigento (for Lampedusa).
The crossings are operated by two types of vessel: ferries (the traghetto in Italian), slower but capable of carrying a vehicle, and hydrofoils (the aliscafo in Italian), faster but reserved for passengers. The choice depends on crossing time, budget and type of trip.

Ferry in Milazzo

The crossing time varies depending on the destination: around 30 minutes for the Egadi Islands from Trapani, 1 to 2 hours for the Aeolian Islands from Milazzo, and up to 4 to 6 hours for Lampedusa or Pantelleria. Some routes include intermediate stops between several islands.

Weather conditions can affect ferry and hydrofoil schedules, particularly in the event of strong wind (sirocco, mistral) or rough seas. As hydrofoils are more sensitive to swell, delays or cancellations remain possible, especially in winter.

Timetables for ferries to the Sicilian islands vary according to the season. In summer, departures are more frequent but demand is high, particularly in July and August: it is advisable to book in advance to guarantee a place. Out of season, some routes are less frequent but are generally still maintained.

SNAV ferry

Good to know

• Some islands apply restrictions on vehicle access, particularly in high season, in order to limit local traffic. It is therefore useful to check in advance whether boarding a car is permitted for your travel period.
• In general, it is recommended to arrive at the port 30 minutes in advance for a foot passenger on a hydrofoil, and longer with a vehicle for a ferry. Although electronic tickets are widely used, some companies may require collection at the ticket office.

Shipping companies serving the Sicilian islands

Several companies operate ferry and hydrofoil crossings to the Sicilian islands, under Italian public service delegations, in particular the company Siremar, the public operator that provides subsidised connections including the transport of goods and vehicles.
Liberty Lines is now the main hydrofoil operator, with a high frequency of daily rotations from Milazzo for example.

• Aeolian Islands (Lipari, Vulcano, Stromboli, Salina): mainly from Milazzo.
  Main companies: Liberty Lines (hydrofoils), Siremar (ferries and hydrofoils), Caronte & Tourist (ferries).  
• Egadi Islands (Favignana, Levanzo, Marettimo): from Trapani and Marsala.
  Main companies: Liberty Lines (fast hydrofoils), Siremar (ferries).
  The Trapani–Favignana connections are among the most frequent in Sicily, with very short crossings of nearly 30 minutes by hydrofoil.
• Ustica: from Palermo.
  Main companies: Liberty Lines (hydrofoils), Siremar (ferries).
  This crossing exposed to the open sea may be affected more frequently by maritime conditions. It also experiences seasonal variations in frequency.
• Lampedusa and Linosa (Pelagie Islands): from Porto Empedocle.
  Main companies: Siremar (ferries), Liberty Lines (hydrofoils in season).
  The crossing to Lampedusa is long from Sicily (up to 8–9 hours by ferry), and therefore depends greatly on weather conditions.
• Pantelleria: from Trapani and Mazara del Vallo.
  Main companies: Siremar (ferries), Liberty Lines (hydrofoils).
  The crossing is fairly long, and sometimes sensitive to wind, particularly in winter.

Summary table of connections to the Sicilian islands

Articles: Sicilian Islands

• Ustica
  The small island of Ustica, which has largely remained wild, stands out ...