How to Get From Calabria to Sicily: Complete Travel Guide

(Photo of Sacrario di Cristo Re in Messina, Sicily)

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If you’re planning a trip to Calabria, you might be wondering if it’s possible to squeeze in a little Sicily while you’re there.

The good news is... Absolutely! In fact, getting from Calabria to Sicily is much easier than you might think.

The two regions are separated by the Strait of Messina, and the crossing from Calabria to Sicily can take as little as about 20 minutes by ferry. You can take your car, walk onto a ferry, take a train, hop on a fast passenger boat from Reggio Calabria, or even take a bus farther into Sicily.

So if you’re already exploring Calabria, there’s really no reason to think of Sicily as some faraway destination.

Here’s everything you need to know about getting from Calabria to Sicily, including the easiest routes, where to catch the ferry, what it costs, and which option makes the most sense depending on where you’re staying.

Where Is Sicily Compared to Calabria?

This is one of those things that’s much easier to understand when you actually look at a map.

Calabria is the “toe” of Italy’s boot, and Sicily sits just across the Strait of Messina. The closest point between mainland Italy and Sicily is only a few miles across the water.

The main crossing is between Villa San Giovanni in Calabria and Messina in Sicily. And this is the route most people will use if they’re driving.

The Easiest Way to Get From Calabria to Sicily: Take the Ferry

For most travelers, the ferry from Villa San Giovanni to Messina is going to be the easiest option, especially if you have a rental car.

Caronte & Tourist operates ferries across the Strait of Messina 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The crossing itself takes approximately 20 minutes, although the total time will obviously be longer once you factor in getting to the port, buying or scanning your ticket, boarding, and getting off the ferry.

What's great is you get to see Calabria disappearing behind you while Sicily gets closer and closer. On a clear day, you can see the coastline and enjoy some gorgeous views of the Strait of Messina.

Where Do You Catch the Ferry From Calabria to Sicily?

In Calabria, you'll want to head to Villa San Giovanni, and in Sicily, you'll arrive in Messina.

The ferry terminals are well connected to the major roads and train networks, which makes this a particularly convenient route.

How Often Do the Ferries Run From Calabria to Sicily?

Very frequently. Caronte & Tourist currently lists departures around the clock, with crossings scheduled throughout the day and night.

The exact timetable changes, so I would always check the current schedule before your travel day.

Check the current Caronte & Tourist ferry schedules

Can You Take a Car on the Ferry to Sicily?

Yes! This is one of the biggest advantages of traveling from Calabria to Sicily by ferry. You simply drive your car onto the ferry and then drive off when you reach Messina.

Caronte & Tourist allows cars, motorcycles, scooters, campers, buses, and bicycles on the Strait of Messina service.

This makes the ferry especially convenient if you're doing a Calabria road trip and don't want to give up your rental car.

Can You Walk Onto the Ferry?

Yes. You don't need a car to use the ferry.

As of the current published fares, pedestrian tickets are available, with the standard one-way fare listed at €2.50.

Just keep in mind that prices can change, so check the current fare when you're booking.

Taking the Train From Calabria to Sicily

Here's something that surprises a lot of people: You can take a train from Calabria all the way into Sicily.

And yes, that means you don't necessarily have to get off the train and figure everything out yourself at the Strait.

Trenitalia operates rail connections between Calabria and Sicily, including services that cross the Strait. Trenitalia's regional timetable includes the Villa San Giovanni–Messina connection, while its Intercity network also serves Sicily from mainland Italy.

This can be a really convenient option if you're traveling without a car. And train travel throughout Italy is a very convenient option and preferred by many travelers and Italians.

Is the Train From Calabria to Sicily a Good Option?

If you're traveling without a car, I would definitely consider it. It's especially nice if you don't want to deal with driving in Italy, parking, rental cars, etc.

Check Trenitalia schedules and connections

Taking the Fast Boat From Reggio Calabria to Messina

There's another option that's particularly convenient if you're already staying in Reggio Calabria.

Liberty Lines operates fast passenger connections between Reggio Calabria and Messina. The trip takes approximately 35 minutes from Reggio Calabria to Messina, according to the current Liberty Lines information.

This is different from the vehicle ferry from Villa San Giovanni because the Liberty Lines service is a fast passenger connection.

So if you're staying in Reggio Calabria and don't have a car, this can be a really convenient way to get over to Sicily.

Check Liberty Lines schedules for Reggio Calabria–Messina

One thing I would definitely do before leaving is check the current timetable. Schedules can vary by season, and Liberty Lines publishes separate schedules for different periods of the year.

Can You Drive From Calabria to Sicily?

Technically, yes, but you aren't going to drive across the Strait. There has been talk about building a connecting bridge, but who knows if it will ever happen.

You'll drive to Villa San Giovanni, board the car ferry, cross the water, and then drive off in Messina, Sicily. This is actually a really fun way to experience both regions on the same trip.

For example, you could spend several days exploring Calabria's Tyrrhenian coast, drive south toward Villa San Giovanni, cross the Strait with your rental car, and then continue exploring Sicily.

And you don't have to worry about returning your rental car before crossing.

A Few Things to Know When Taking a Rental Car to Sicily

Before you book your rental car, make sure you're allowed to take the vehicle onto a ferry and travel between mainland Italy and Sicily.

Most rental car companies have their own rules, so this is one of those things I would check before you pick up the car, rather than assuming it's automatically allowed.

Palermo, Sicily

Taking a Bus From Calabria to Sicily

You can also travel by bus. This makes the most sense if you're traveling farther into Sicily and don't want to deal with multiple train connections.

Long-distance bus services connect mainland Italy with Sicily, and companies such as SAIS Autolinee offer connections involving destinations including Messina, Catania, and Palermo.

Some bus journeys incorporate the Strait crossing, so you don't necessarily have to organize the ferry separately.

SAIS also currently includes luggage allowances on its services, along with Wi-Fi, and charging facilities on board.

For longer trips, that's definitely something worth considering.

Check SAIS Autolinee routes and schedules

What About Flying From Calabria to Sicily?

You can look at flying, particularly if you're starting farther north in Calabria or you're trying to connect to another part of Sicily. The three airports in Calabria are in Lamezia Terme, Crotone, and Reggio Calabria.

But for a typical Calabria-to-Sicily vacation, I would look at the ferry or train first. Why? Because the distance across the Strait is so short that flying can add a lot of extra logistics like getting to the airport, flight delays, and cancellations.

Meanwhile, the ferry crossing itself is only about 20 minutes. So, if you're already in southern Calabria, the ferry is usually a much more natural part of the journey.

The extensive lungomare (pedestrian walkway along the sea) in Reggio Calabria

How to Get From Different Parts of Calabria to Sicily

This is where it gets a little more interesting because Calabria is a fairly long region. Your best option depends on where you're starting.

From Reggio Calabria to Sicily

This is probably the easiest. You can take the fast passenger boat directly from Reggio Calabria to Messina, with the crossing taking around 35 minutes.

You can also travel north a short distance to Villa San Giovanni and take the car ferry from there.

From Villa San Giovanni to Sicily

This is the classic route. Take the ferry from Villa San Giovanni to Messina. If you're driving, this is the route I would look at first.

From Scilla to Sicily

Scilla is very close to Villa San Giovanni (about a 15 minute drive), so you can drive south to the ferry terminal and cross from there.

And honestly, if you're already visiting Scilla, this makes it very tempting to combine a Calabria road trip with a few days in Sicily.

From Tropea to Sicily

If you're staying around Tropea, you have a little more driving to do (about an hour and a half).

You can drive south along the coast toward Villa San Giovanni and then cross to Messina.

Depending on your itinerary, you could also consider traveling by train toward Villa San Giovanni and continuing into Sicily by rail.

From Scalea to Sicily

If you're staying farther north in Calabria, like around Scalea and the Riviera dei Cedri, you're looking at a longer journey to the Strait.

This is where I would think about your overall itinerary rather than simply asking, "What's the fastest way to Sicily?"

If Sicily is a major part of your trip, you could travel by train or car south through Calabria and make your way toward Villa San Giovanni before crossing into Sicily.

Scalea in the Riviera dei Cedri, Calabria

Do You Need to Book the Ferry in Advance?

For the regular Strait of Messina ferry, you have more flexibility than you might expect because the service runs frequently throughout the day and night.

You can purchase tickets online or at the ferry terminals in Villa San Giovanni and Messina. Caronte & Tourist also lists options through its app and electronic toll services.

That said, if you're traveling during a busy holiday period, I would still check the schedule and ticket information ahead of time.

And if you have a specific departure time you need to make, especially if you're connecting to a train, tour, or flight, don't leave it until the last minute.

What Is the Best Way to Get From Calabria to Sicily?

There's no single answer because it depends on how you're traveling.

If you have a car:

Take the ferry from Villa San Giovanni to Messina.

It's straightforward and lets you keep your car for exploring Sicily.

If you're traveling without a car:

Take the train or a passenger ferry.

If you're near Reggio Calabria, the Liberty Lines fast boat to Messina is worth looking at.

If you're farther north, the train may be more convenient.

If you're going to Palermo:

Look at train or bus connections from Calabria rather than only thinking about the Strait crossing.

The journey doesn't end when you arrive in Messina. You still have to get across Sicily.

If you're going to Catania:

The train, bus, or a combination of ferry and train can all make sense depending on your starting point.

If you're doing a Calabria road trip:

Take your car across the Strait.

That gives you the most flexibility once you're in Sicily.

A Few Tips for Crossing From Calabria to Sicily

Here are a few things I'd keep in mind before you go.

Check the ferry schedule shortly before your trip.
Schedules can change, and seasonal timetables are a thing in Italy. The operator's current schedule is always the place to check.

Give yourself extra time if you're driving.
The crossing may only take about 20 minutes, but you still have to navigate the port and boarding process.

Don't forget that Messina isn't your final destination.
If you're heading to Catania, Taormina, or Palermo, you'll still have more traveling to do once you reach Sicily.

Check your rental car agreement.
Don't assume your rental car can automatically be taken across the Strait.

Travel light if you're taking a passenger boat.
Dragging several huge suitcases around a port and onto a fast boat isn't exactly how I want to start my vacation.

Have your ticket and identification handy.
Caronte & Tourist advises passengers to carry valid identification and their ticket. Vehicle travelers should also have the vehicle registration documents.

Check weather conditions.
Ferry services can be modified or suspended in severe weather or rough sea conditions.

Taormina, Sicily

The Bottom Line: Take the Trip to Sicily

Getting from Calabria to Sicily really isn't as complicated as it might seem. The Strait of Messina may separate the two regions, but the ferry makes that separation feel pretty insignificant.

If you're driving, Villa San Giovanni to Messina is the route you'll probably use. If you're traveling without a car and you're near Reggio Calabria, the fast passenger boat is another great option. Trains and buses can also make the journey surprisingly easy, especially if you're continuing on to Palermo or Catania.

Calabria and Sicily have their own personalities, food, scenery, and traditions, so you don't have to choose one or the other. It would be an experience of a lifetime, so make that journey.

Cefalù, Sicily

Tropea, Calabria

Cathedral in Syracuse, Sicily

Morano Calabro, Calabria

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