How to Get to Sicily From Rome (And Mainland Italy)

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These are the best (cheapest and quickest) ways to get to Sicily from Rome or anywhere on mainland Italy.

Sicily, or Sicilia, is a world of its own. From its distinct food scene, culture, and overall mannerisms, Sicily could not be more different than the capital city of Rome.

Rome can feel refined, elegant, and worthy of being a film set at all times. While there is no shortage of archaeological ruins and history in Sicily, the island’s atmosphere and character are untamed compared to Roma. Sicily is simply very different.

While planning your visit to Rome, it’s only natural to start pondering where else you can trek to nearby.

With Sorrento and the Tuscany region within arm’s reach, it’s easy to start getting creative. Although Sicily isn’t exactly a leap away from Rome, there are still many uncomplicated ways to get there.

Whether you prefer to hop on a plane, train, ferry or into a car, we’ve got it covered in this short guide.

Discover the various ways of getting to Sicily from Rome and what to expect.

The Cheapest Way to Get to Sicily From Rome

There are various ways to reach Sicily from Rome, or anywhere on mainland Italy, but if you are looking for the cheapest way, book a flight to the island.

This is applicable in most European countries, but domestic flights within the same state are often the least expensive way to travel long-haul. Getting from Rome to Sicily is no exception and even in peak season, you can pick up round-trip flights for under €50.

The two are not only connected by budget airlines like Ryanair, but also with more reputable companies like ITA Airways and AEROITALIA.

Airports in Sicily, Italy

While there are six total airports on the island of Sicily, you’ll likely only want to know about Catania Airport and Palermo–Punta Raisi Airport.

The Catania Airport serves the east coast of Sicily while Palermo Airport is prominent for the west, along with Trapani Airport.

In addition to Comiso Airport (near the southern city of Ragusa), these are the four international airports in Sicily.

The remaining two small airports (Pantelleria and Lampedusa) are used for domestic flights between two Sicilian islands and “mainland” Sicily.

How to Get to Taormina, Sicily From Rome

Taormina is among the most popular destinations in Sicily and unsurprisingly, it can be the only reason why some travelers even make the journey to Sicily.

Famed for its picturesque hilltop town and crescent moon beaches facing a mysterious island of Isola Bella, Taormina is a must-see if you’re visiting Sicily.

The quickest way to reach Taormina from Rome is by flying into Catania–Fontanarossa Airport, just one hour south of Taormina on the east coast of Sicily.

From Catania Airport, the smoothest way to reach Taormina without a car is by bus which departs directly from the airport and arrives at the bottom of Taormina town. The bus ride from Catania Airport to Taormina takes just under 1.5 hours and costs less than €10 one-way.

Can You Drive From Mainland Italy to Sicily?

Sicily may be an island, but it’s far from small. It is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and just barely disconnected from mainland Italy.

Unlike a few elusive islands dotted throughout the Mediterranean, you can indeed drive to Sicily.

There are various cheap ways to get to Sicily, but if you’re traveling with a car, you must obviously opt for driving there, which can be a tad more expensive.

Getting to Sicily by car is possible from many departure points on mainland Italy. But, the price and type of expedition will also depend on how much actual driving you’re planning on doing, as opposed to taking a shortcut with a long-haul ferry.

How to Get to Sicily by Car From Rome

Whether you’re already driving your own car or are itching for an Italian road trip, the journey from Rome to Sicily by car can be achieved in a couple of ways.

If you do have the time, we highly recommend opting for the drive from Rome, which takes you through Sorrento, along the renowned Amalfi Coast, and the underrated beaches of the Calabria region. What better place in the world to complete a coastal road trip than Italy?!

1. Taking the Ferry From Villa San Giovanni to Messina = More Driving

If you decide on driving the coastal route from Rome along western Italy, you will land in Villa San Giovanni located in the Calabria region (the toe of the “boot”). This is where you’ll embark on a car ferry to reach Sicily, just across the Strait of Messina.

Overall, getting to Sicily from mainland Italy will always require at least one ferry ride.

The ferry from Villa San Giovanni to Messina is the shortest crossing, lasting about 20 minutes and departing every 40 minutes while operating 24 hours a day. Upon entering the ferry port, you are prompted to go through this gate, similar to a toll booth station.

At this self-service kiosk, you are prompted to purchase your tickets on site for the next upcoming ferry. You can also purchase and reserve tickets online ahead of time.

The ferry crossing from Villa San Giovanni to Messina is so routine that it’s incredibly smooth and for some people, just a part of their everyday commute. A one-way ferry ticket from Villa San Giovanni to Messina with a car costs around €35.

As of now, there is no bridge that connects Calabria (mainland Italy) to Sicily, although there are plans of one to be constructed in the next decade.

In the future, a 3.5 km long suspension bridge will float over the Strait of Messina to connect Villa San Giovanni to Sicily. If all goes according to plan, it will be the longest suspension bridge in the world.

2. Taking a Car Ferry From Rome to Sicily = Less Driving

Is there really a car ferry from Rome to Sicily? Impressively, yes! The Port of Civitavecchia is located northwest of the capital city and serves as the main port for Rome.

It is possible to book a ferry ride from Civitavecchia to Palermo if you want to reach Sicily with a car. This method involves the least amount of driving by opting for a 13-hour ferry ride instead.

The ferry crossing from Civitavecchia to Palermo is only available once per week, with perhaps some added journeys in the peak of summer.

By selecting a scheduled ferry ride that departs at night, you can spend the night on the ferry and not waste an entire day of travel.

How to Get to Sicily From Rome With Public Transportation

Aside from flying or driving, you can reach Sicily from Rome with the use of public transportation and a ferry ride.

The first option is to catch a train in Rome and ride it all the way down to Calabria (Villa San Giovanni). A fast-track train will get you there in less than 6 hours and in 7.5 hours by a slower train.

This journey can cost as little as €40 one-way. After arriving in Villa San Giovanni, you’ll board the ferry to Messina as a foot passenger.

Alternatively, you can take a shorter train ride from Rome to Naples which takes just over one hour. From Naples, you can embark on a ferry as a foot passenger to Palermo.

The ferry crossing from Naples to Palermo is much more frequent (more than 7 times per week) than the ferry which departs from Civitavecchia.

⚠️ Train travel in Italy can be expensive if you do not book tickets at least two weeks in advance. If you’re not able to find cheap last-minute train tickets, switch to bus transportation instead. Long-haul bus rides from Rome to Calabria are substantially cheaper and more frequent than train journeys.

The Best Way to Get Around Sicily

Sicily is efficiently connected by railway, especially among its major cities. Particularly if you are travelling from any of the international airports, it is very likely that you’ll find routes to reach your destination by train.

The train routes on Sicily also tend to be the most beneficial for traveling around the perimeter of the island. If your itinerary allows for travel time, getting around Sicily by train is the perfect solution for mindful and budget travel.

Clearly, discovering Sicily by car will allow you to take control of your own schedule and allow you to visit smaller villages and lesser-known destinations on the island.

By driving, you’ll also be able to reach some of the quieter beaches that are a bit complicated to find by just using public transportation.

Can You Visit Sicily From Rome for a Day Trip?

Sicily is not a feasible day trip from Rome. At best, Sicily can be planned as a weekend getaway from Rome if you plan on only visiting one or two destinations on the island.

Flying is the quickest and cheapest way to escape to Sicily but even then, the flight is 1.5 hours long without factoring in time spent to get to and throughout the airports.

If you’re set on traveling to Sicily from Rome, make sure it’s part of a bigger itinerary in order to make the travel time worth it. For example, a packaged tour which includes an adventure along the Amalfi Coast and ends in Sicily is less stressful than trying to squeeze in a round trip from Rome to Sicily.

Cramming in a visit to Sicily “just because you’re in Italy” is not a solid idea. Experiencing Sicily should be planned into an entirely separate trip because of the island’s sheer size and location.

🛌 Where to Stay in Sicily

Binario 91 Rooms – A beautifully designed guesthouse in Palermo

Hotel Villa Schuler – A villa with panoramic views in the hills of Taormina

Porta di Castro Boutique Hotel & SPA – A luxury hotel and spa experience in Palermo

Villa Sant’Andrea – A 5-star complex in Taormina

Casa Modica – Elevated rooms in the heart of Noto

Regina Margherita B&B– Located in the town square of Marzamemi

Blue Bay – A beachfront property with a private location in Cefalù

Final Thoughts: How to Get to Sicily From Rome

🛩 The quickest and least expensive way to get from Rome to Sicily is by flying. Flights are 1.5 hours long and can be booked for under €50 one-way, even in the summer.

🛳 If you are travelling by car and want to minimize your driving time, you can reach Sicily with a car ferry which departs from Civitavecchia (once a week) or from Naples, just 1.5 hours south of Rome by train. Both of these ferries will arrive in the Sicilian city of Palermo.

🚘 A road trip from Rome to Sicily is possible along the western coastline of Italy which runs through the Amalfi Coast and to Calabria. From Calabria, you must take a car ferry across the Strait of Messina, which is only 20 minutes long.

🚊 Upon arriving in Sicily, it is possible to navigate the island without a car. If you plan on visiting major destinations and cities, train travel in Sicily is easy to utilize.

More Southern Italy Travel Posts:

• The Best Places to Visit in East Sicily
• How to Visit Isola Bella Beach in Taormina
• How to Reach Calabria
• Is Tropea Worth Visiting?
• 15 Beautiful Calabria Beaches

Sicily Travel Resources

☔️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage

✈️ FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com

🚙 CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com

🚊 TRAINS & BUSES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio

🛳 FERRIES: Direct Ferries

🛌 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago

☎️ ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo

📸 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator