How to get to Sicily: by plane, by ferry, by train, by bus. Sicily How to fly to Sicily cheaper

Hello everyone who reads my review...

Today I want to share with you a story about how my husband and I went by car to the wonderful island of Sicily. Since we live in Italy, traveling by car is a common thing for us; when we want to see something new, we get into the car and go wherever we want. Italy is a very beautiful country with colorful people, and even when you get to the smallest town you will be surprised by its originality.

We went to the island of Sicily on business, but of course it would be stupid to go to Sicily and not relax. Traveling by car to Sicily cannot be done without a ferry crossing, since those who know geography understand that this is an island and only with the help of a ferry can you get to it.

In general, having reached the town of Villa San Giovanni by land, my husband and I drove up to the ferry and before going there we had to buy a ticket for the ferry. You can also enter these ferries by bicycle, motorcycle, bus, or just walk.

Crossing Villa San Giovanni (Italy)- Messina (Sicily)

We were incredibly lucky because when we arrived at the crossing the ferry was boarding and we didn’t wait a minute and quite quickly loaded up and sailed to the shores of Sicily.

Price for round trip crossing car + 2 people - 45 euros

Having paid for the crossing, we were given a ticket which, when boarding the ferry, is scanned with a special machine and only after that you can get on the ferry. We bought a round-trip ticket, but we must return with this ticket within three days at any time when the crossing is open.

The price depends on what kind of car you have, what dimensions, how many people are in the car and whether you buy a one-way ticket or a round trip ticket. For example, a one-way ferry ticket will cost 44 euros, which is the price for a small car.

The distance from the mainland of Italy to its island part of the island of Sicily is 21 km. The ferry covers this short distance in 20-25 minutes, much depends on the weather.

When we were traveling to Sicily, we were unlucky with the weather; all along the way while we were driving through Italy there was a terrible thunderstorm with rain, thunder and lightning. The spectacle was certainly not very good and I thought that ferries could not operate in such weather. At the entrance to the ferry departure point, the weather was far from the best; the photo below shows that the weather was bad - rain and visibility at sea was almost zero.

Having descended to the crossing, an even worse picture awaited us and a terribly old ferry... there was no hope for disappointment, but as it turned out, this “vessel” that I saw was being repaired and we definitely wouldn’t sail on it.

Our ferry was, of course, newer, but still did not cause much joy. I’m generally afraid of sailing on such vessels and I had only one thing in my mind, how to cross faster and more safely. It was not possible to take a photo of our ferry, but when we were sailing, I took a photo of his twin brother who was already sailing from Sicily.

When entering the ferry itself, there are workers who show you where you should stand and where to park the car, so that there is no fuss and chaos, but with Italians this is a common thing. Even when entering the ferry, one crazy Italian cut off our car so that he could enter first, well, what difference does it make whether you are first or last, everyone still sails together and everyone arrives at the same time.

After loading everyone onto the ferry, an announcement is made that all cars must turn off the engines and put the car on the handbrake, and only upon arrival at the destination, start the car and leave. To make it comfortable for passengers of cars and buses, the ferry has a deck for passengers where you can spend time during the crossing. We never stay in the car and go out onto this deck to admire the unrealistically beautiful scenery.

The first thing I didn’t like about this ferry was that the stairs to the passenger deck are very steep and it’s unlikely that an elderly person would be able to climb out of them, and even more so. Considering that it was raining heavily and the shoes were wet, climbing the metal stairs was doubly dangerous, my feet were slipping terribly and one woman slipped and fell on the way down, it’s good that she didn’t break anything.

Throughout the crossing, they talk through loudspeakers about the safety rules on board and how to behave in case of an unforeseen emergency in two languages ​​- Italian and English.

On the passenger deck there is a lot of information about safety rules on board, how to use life jackets, there are panic buttons and fire extinguishers, there are baskets for different types of garbage (in Italy, waste sorting is common and on the tanks it is written what exactly this or that tank is for).

Of course, on this type of transport there are toilets for men and women, everything is clean, there is paper, there are towels, there is soap and cold and hot water. I didn’t take pictures there because I don’t think it’s quite decent.

On the passenger deck, for the convenience of passengers, there are chairs on which you can sit during the journey, there is also a bar and true Italians have formed a huge queue for a cup of coffee. There is a water cooler on deck and you can drink for free. I would also like to note that it is very clean, everything is clean.

If the chairs are clean, the floor is washed, the windows are so old and dirty that you can’t really watch the scenery through them, look for yourself...

There are open decks on both sides of the passenger deck where you can stand and watch the progress of the ferry, and smoking is also allowed on the open decks. Exits to open decks on both sides.

Due to bad weather and rain, there was practically no one on the open decks as it was cold and disgusting, but the “tanks” are not afraid of dirt, and my husband and I were one of the few there who admired the cloudy seascapes.

Despite the bad weather, the sea was calm and the ferry sailed without rocking at all, as if we were driving on a flat road, I didn’t even get seasick (this is a common thing for me). The captain and crew work well together. After 25 minutes we arrived at the place, which I was very happy about.

Crossing Messina (Sicily) - Villa San Giovanni (Italy)

Having stayed in Sicily for a couple of days, the way home awaited us and, of course, we were returning along the same path, crossing 21 km. sea ​​area by ferry. The weather was very cool - the sun, the heat and the most beautiful landscapes sparkled with new colors.

This time we were not very lucky and we stood in line for the ferry for more than an hour, and as you know, in the summer in Italy it is very hot that even the car’s air conditioner could not cope. The only plus of waiting was that during this time I was able to take a couple of successful shots... here is one of them....

The wait was not in vain and we were served a mega handsome ferry, which I only saw sailing when we were going to Sicily. Bright and powerful and it was clear that he was new and of course there was more trust in him than in the previous one.

If the previous ferry was an open type and only the area for passengers was closed, then on this ferry it’s the other way around, you drive into a tin can and when all the locks close it becomes creepy.

We left the car and went up to the passenger deck, the enclosed area is very small and this ferry is very poorly equipped with places to sit. The only amenities are a toilet.

A huge advantage is that this ferry has huge open-air observation decks, it’s unrealistically beautiful. But there are also disadvantages, this is an incredible wind that blows you away, and even in hot weather when the ferry is moving on the deck it is cold.

Here we even met a stowaway, in our opinion a “hare,” who sat peacefully on the rail the entire time we were sailing.

We swam in the opposite direction for 20 minutes. The ferry was moving fast and maybe due to the strong wind and waves we were rocking quite hard. if we had stayed in the compartment where the cars were parked, I would definitely have gone crazy, I don’t like sea transport at all.

In general, the condition of the ferries varies, from completely rusty to super new and beautiful. This was not the first time we went to Sicily and already sailed on different ferries, there were even some that made me pray the whole way. In general, depending on your luck, but in general I would like the ferries to be updated, and those that are too old to be written off and replaced with new ones so that people feel safe.

Despite my fear of sea transport, I would never sail like this again because the views of Italy and Sicily are mesmerizing and you don’t notice how time flies by. Since there is no other alternative to getting to Sicily by car, then of course I recommend the ferry crossingVilla San Giovanni (Italy) - Messina (Sicily)everyone who travels by car.

A beautiful cozy town on a mountain shaped like a bull’s head. There is a central street with shops and restaurants, reminiscent of Moscow's Arbat. There is also a very beautiful park with an amazing view of the sea and the ancient Greek amphitheater, but viewing it costs 6 euros. There is Funivia, translated from Italian as “cable car”. You can go there by car; there are parking lots, prices and parking rules very close to the historical center. Many trains also stop in Taormina. The train station is very beautiful and is a landmark itself. But for the Italian translator it remained a mystery how to get from the station below to the city above. I walked for about 30 minutes, along the side of the road, but this is for extreme sports enthusiasts. Buses from the station run 3 times a day and are not coordinated with electric trains. There are no taxis there.

Aeolian Islands

Located near Messina. Boat trips are organized there from any resort town on the northern coast between Messina and Palermo. These are the islands of Lipari, Vulcano (from which the word volcano comes) and Stromboli (which constantly erupts and at night there is a video of the glow of fire over the crater).

Finally the long-awaited vacation! You are already “packed with suitcases” and all you have to do is decide how to get to Sicily from Moscow. And the best way is to take a direct flight, without wasting time waiting during transfers. There are two airlines operating non-stop flights from the capital of our homeland, as part of the seasonal schedule. Don't forget that you will definitely need a Schengen visa since you are flying to Italy. In Sicily, the airports of Palermo and Catania, as well as Trapani and Comiso, await their guests. From Moscow you can only get to the first two air ports without transfers.

Alitalia

You can get from Sheremetyevo to Palermo and Catania with the help of Alitalia. A one-way ticket for a direct flight costs about 20,000 rubles, the travel time is 4 hours 15 minutes. The lowest prices for flights are offered in October. Study the offers of popular search engines by selecting travel dates, look at all options by month of the year, and you can save.

If you decide to purchase tickets with this airline, the best solution would be to purchase them on the official Alitalia website, which has a working Russian-language version.

Of course, a cheap flight may be more attractive to many. If you are willing to spend about 7 hours on the road, you can take a flight with a transfer in Rome. Everyone chooses for themselves the best option on how to get to Sicily from Moscow: either quickly or cheaply. Only you know how much your time is worth.

S7 Airlines

Sicily is a wonderful island of excellent cuisine, sacred traditions, warm hearts and passions. It awaits all lovers of Italian flavor and wonderful beaches. There is another way to get to Sicily from Moscow directly - use the services of S7 airline. The flight lasts about 4 hours.

S7 Airlines is a member of the oneworld global aviation alliance; it operates flights on modern, comfortable Airbus A320 aircraft, which have economy and business class cabins. Catania is already the sixth Italian destination in which the air carrier operates.

Palermo

Capital of the island of Sicily. Bad fame haunts this corner of the Earth, because there is not a single person in the world who has not heard of the Sicilian mafia. And today these fearsome representatives of the “special caste” are present and thriving on the island, but travelers should not be afraid of them, because they “make” colossal money from tourists. Come here calmly, enjoy and admire the beaches and clear waters of the luxurious Tyrrhenian Sea, and how to get to Sicily from Moscow by plane and inexpensively, read here.

Palermo airport

Falcone-Borcellino is one of the most popular air hubs. It is located in the north of the island, 35 km from Palermo.

Direct flights to the city of Palermo from Moscow are provided. Great demand for tickets occurs in the summer: June and August, as well as in September. The lowest demand is observed at the beginning of the year: in January, February and March. The ticket price starts from 17 thousand rubles.

Catania

The island's famous beach resorts - Taormina and Giardini Naxos - are located near Catania. This city, built next to Mount Etna, is cleaner and less noisy than Palermo. The place will definitely appeal to lovers of ancient European architecture, fans of mountain trekking, picturesque landscapes and, of course, connoisseurs of seaside holidays. After all, this is where the most beautiful and clean Sicilian beaches are concentrated. Lovers of Italy recognize Catania as one of the best Italian resorts. You have a chance to check it out!

Catania Airport - Fontanarossa

The third airport in Italy in terms of annual passenger turnover is located right at the foot of the beautiful and dangerous Mount Etna. Do you want to witness a fascinating spectacle, since the volcano is considered active?

The length of the airport runway is 2438 meters; the terminal has 20 gates and 6 jet bridges. Up to 6 million people pass through the terminal every year. The authorities are aiming for 20 million tourists annually.

Wind Jet

Since 2011, residents of the capital have had another way to fly non-stop, we’ll tell you how. It was possible to get to Sicily from Moscow directly by regular direct flights of Wind Jet. They were carried out from Moscow Domodedovo to Palermo or Catania, the cost of a round trip ticket was about 15 thousand rubles. But since 2012, the company has not operated flights to any of the destinations.

Buy cheap tickets to Sicily

How to get to Sicily from Moscow cheaply? Where and how to buy air tickets? Experienced travelers suggest comparing prices in several search engines, as well as on airline websites. Among the main search engines with the lowest prices are Aviasales, Momondo, Skyscanner.

Prices can be viewed for each day of the month and compared if you already know the dates of your trip to Sicily. Then, when the tickets are found, you can check them through the agency (how current the cost is, what is the duration of the flight, are there any transfers).

Cheaper for nothing

The most desperate lover of saving money will be indescribably delighted with the prices for air tickets to Sicily if he can wait for the sale held by the low-cost airline Pobeda. These tickets to Cologne, Munich or Milan can be bought at ridiculous prices. Do you often come across a price of 999 rubles (one way)? No! Most often, you can buy an air ticket to Europe for 6 thousand rubles round trip, and then use the services of low-cost airlines, for example, Ryanair or Volotea, and get to Sicily.

There is an option to go to Sicily via Rome, this way you can see the unforgettable capital of Italy by spending a couple of days in it. Then, from the eternal city, go to Sicily, using the services of Alitalia, Vueling, Ryanair, which fly both to the air harbors listed above, popular among Russians, and to the airports of Trapani or Comiso.

You can also rent a car and reach Palermo from the Italian capital in about 13 hours (with stops longer).

The Rome-Palermo bus takes about 12 hours, and a ticket costs about 36 euros. You can take pictures of wonderful views along the way - don’t forget to charge your camera.

If you are not afraid of seas, you can take the ferry from Cevitavecchia and get to Sicily by sea.

How to get to Sicily from Moscow by train

To be satisfied with the details of the journey, you must also be able to enjoy the road to your final destination.

What can I say, there are tourists who categorically cannot stand air travel, and for them the time spent is not important, the main thing is not by plane. Most often people come to Sicily by train from Rome.

Do you like the sound of wheels? Still would! Knowing how to get to Sicily from Moscow without transfers, you can consider other route options that are more inexpensive and interesting. The train from Rome to Palermo is waiting for you. You will spend 12 hours on the road, the ticket price starts from 70 euros.

This is interesting! They are transported through the train on a special platform with rails, this happens at night when passengers are sleeping. This is a very interesting and unusual adventure. From Messina the train goes to Catania, from where you can even go to Syracuse.

From Rome you can travel by plane, car, train, bus and ferry. Below we will look at all the options, starting with the fastest. In order not to get lost when traveling around Italy, we advise you to connect the local Internet and connection in advance. At this link you can find all available and convenient offers, and the promo code is “paris 10" will give you even more bonuses.

Flight is the best option to get from Rome to Sicily

The cost of a ticket per passenger depends on the time of year, number of trips, airline, transfers and time of day of the flight. So, for example, a flight from Rome to Palermo, on the date September 24, 2018 from Fiumicino Airport, only one way and without transfers on an Alitalia airline (Italian airlines) with a daytime departure from Rome will cost 59 euros. With a company Vueling Arlines and departure at 06:50 a ticket will cost 35 euros. The flight lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes on all airlines.

By bus from Rome to Sicily

Consider a bus trip from Rome-Tiburtina to Palermo: date September 24, 2018, departure at 21:00, arrival at 09:30, ticket price per person - 34 euros. For the Rome-Tiburtina route to Catania, departure at 21:00 and arrival at 06:25, a ticket will cost 40 euros. Also a very good option for exploring the beauties of Italy!

We wish you an easy and pleasant journey from Rome to Sicily!

By car

Traveling by car would be quite expensive, so we immediately discarded this method. Almost the entire highway to Sicily is tolled, plus, if you don’t come there with your own car, you will need to rent a car. There are no problems with car rental in Milan; there are showrooms in almost every quarter. The largest cities in Sicily are Catania. The route starts along the A1 toll motorway and the E35 motorway; you can read more about toll motorways.

Motorway A1

Of course, you can be stingy and drive along the free highway, but you will quickly regret it, sometimes it’s simply not possible to drive along it. Italians also drive cars very interestingly; when I first found myself on the road in Italy, my hair almost stood up (although it didn’t), they really like to drive both night and day. You can read about how to drive a car in Italy. From Milan to Naples you will need to pay about 56 euros (this price is set for 776 kilometers to Naples, along the A1 motorway, the price is calculated per kilometer), the roads here are gorgeous, you can’t even describe them, they are smooth. Having reached Villa San Giovanni, then you need to take a ferry (ticket is 3-4 euros, plus a car ticket from 3-8 euros) you can see a ticket to Messina. There is a motorway from the Strait of Messina to Catania, the road is ideal, the price for travel will be about 4 euros. This trip will take about 16 hours. Also, on the road you won’t have any problems with gas stations, snack bars, and rest areas; there are plenty of them here.

By plane

Probably the easiest way to get to Sicily is by plane. Firstly, it saves a lot of time, and secondly, you don’t have to cross the Strait of Messina. From Malpensa Airport you can fly to Palermo and Catania; this route is served by two airlines:

• Meridiana

There is only one flight to Palermo at 05:40, on Mondays. There is one flight to Catania at 17:50, on Saturdays.

Meridiana airline plane

• EasyJet

By train

Italy has a very developed railway network, you can read more about it, you can also find out how to save on a ticket or what trains there are in Italy and much more. From the main train station in Milan there is one direct train to Palermo and three with transfers. The direct train leaves at 20:10 and arrives in Palermo at 16:39. Other flights can be viewed on the carrier's official website. Trains serving this route are Intercity and Frecciarossa.

Train Frecciarossa

Trains arrive at the main train station in Palermo.

Ticket price

Ticket prices range from 49 euros to 120 euros.

Buying a ticket

You can buy a ticket from a machine, at the ticket office, or on the carrier’s official website.

By bus

We chose to travel by bus. There are buses to Palermo and Catania from Lampugnano bus station and Metro Rogerdo. This route is operated by Eurolines.

Eurolines bus.

We decided to get to Palermo, take the first bus at 13:45, the second bus leaves at 20:45, there are only two trips. We drove for quite a long time, about a day. Along the way we passed the most beautiful cities, such landscapes are hard to describe. The bus is very comfortable, air conditioning in the cabin is a big plus in this heat. You can also take a bus from Lampugnano and Metro Rogerdo stations that goes to Catania. There are only two flights to get there at 13:45 every day and at 20:45 there are not every day. The bus turned out to be the best option for us, and it is also cheaper than other types of transport, except for the plane.

Ticket price

The cost of a ticket to Palermo and Catania is 80 euros.

Buying a ticket

Tickets can be purchased at the box office or from specially equipped machines. The machines are quite easy to use if you know Italian. We booked the ticket on the official carrier’s website