Planning a quick trip from Italy’s magnificent capital, Rome, to the glorious island of Sicily? If you’re hoping to pack both spots into your Italian adventure, you’ll be relieved to know that several modes of transport connect the two.
I receive many questions from tourists on how to get to Sicily from Rome, ’cause those two places are among the best options to have a great time during holidays in Italy.
Although you’ll have plenty of options, it’s essential to research the specifics of each method. Before deciding, consider your budget, flexibility, and travel style. Also, it’s worth noting that your desired location in Sicily will determine your most straightforward option.
To spare you the hassle, I’ve done the hard work for you and used my experiences traveling between these hotspots to craft this guide to getting to Sicily from Rome.
The Modes of Transport Available
You have five different transport options when getting to Sicily: flight, train, bus, car, and ferry. However, because Sicily is an island, some of these require more steps than others or a combination of transport methods, but I’ll break down the must-know details of each option below.
Flight
The most time-effective option is to fly from Rome to Sicily. Anytime I’ve taken a flight, it took just over an hour to arrive in Sicily, though it can vary slightly depending on where on the island you fly to.
Mainland Sicily has four airports, including Comiso and Trapani, but Palermo and Catania offer the most direct flights. During the high season, the latter two airports have upwards of 20 flights a day from Rome, while the former typically have one or two daily routes.
Flights are usually seen as the costliest option, and while this is often true, I’ve snagged a ticket for less than €100 a couple of times. Prices fluctuate quite a bit, so I’d advise keeping tabs on the fares for a few weeks before making your decision.
Train
Although traveling by train is significantly more time-consuming, it’s a great way to travel from Rome to Sicily if you have the time. On a direct train, you’ll likely reach Messina in northeast Sicily in a little less than nine hours, while it may be closer to 12 hours to arrive in Palermo or Siracusa.
Best of all, train carriages can travel on the ferry, meaning you can complete the entire journey comfortably without any changes. However, Trenitalia‘s InterCity train schedule only has about three or four direct departures daily, and booking alternative routes with transfers can add more time to the journey.
Ticket prices vary based on the season, demand, and the route, but I’ve rarely paid more than €65 for the non-stop train. Occasionally, the multi-way trips can be cheaper, but usually not by much, and in some cases, they might even be more expensive! Those visiting on a budget can even save some extra cash by selecting the overnight sleeper train, giving you one less night of accommodation to fork out for!
Bus
Another option is to take a bus from Rome to Sicily. The specific destination you’re hoping to reach can add time to the total journey, with the trip to Palermo taking around 12 hours while getting to Catania is around 10 hours. This is the mode of transport I have the least experience with, but it’s one that friends of mine regularly go for.
Much like the train, the bus drives directly onto the ferry, so you won’t need to worry about booking additional tickets or juggling multiple forms of transport. Both FlixBus and Salemi run daily direct services to Sicilian spots like Palermo, Catania, and Messina. On most days, one to two buses operate on this route. They generally depart at night, but sometimes day-time buses are also available.
On average, a bus ticket from Rome to Sicily costs approximately €60, but it’s not uncommon to find them for sale for more. Conversely, if you check online in advance, you may even find them for less.
Car
Any adventurous folk reading this might prefer driving themselves and travel by car from Rome to Sicily. The route you choose, your final destination, and the ferry schedule can affect your travel time, but getting to Messina in under 8 hours or Palermo in roughly 10 hours is possible.
With a car, you won’t need to adhere to public transport timetables for the most part, aside from the ferry. The closest ferry terminal to Sicily is Villa San Giovanni in Calabria. From here, boats run every 15 or 20 minutes during the high season and take just 20 minutes to arrive in Messina.
Caronte & Tourist is an excellent ferry company I’ve traveled with numerous times. I’ve paid as little as €30 to board with a car, but it can also amount to over €70. Car rental costs in Italy are super changeable but can start from as low as €30 a day, not including fuel.
Ferry
Your fifth and final option is to sail on the Tyrrhenian Sea and take the ferry. The closest ferry port to Rome is Civitavecchia, but I’d advise heading south to Naples as there are many more departures here. From Civitavecchia, the trip to Palermo or Termini Imerese is almost 13 hours, while it’s sometimes under nine hours from Naples.
To get to Civitavecchia, you can take a 50-minute train ride from Rome. Alternatively, hop on the 75-minute train to Naples. Both require a taxi or local transport to the port from the train station, adding extra time to your journey. Grandi Navi Veloci departs from both ports, while Tirrenia serves Naples, too. There are often only 1 or 2 daily ferries from Civitavecchia but multiple from Naples.
I paid around €80 for a ticket from Civitavecchia without a car and about €70 for a ticket from Naples, but it can be substantially more if you bring a car.
Take the Stress Out of Getting From Rome to Sicily With This Easy-To-Follow Guide!
Despite the almost 500 km distance between Sicily and Rome, the transport options linking these iconic destinations are wide-ranging. Each method comes with a list of positives and drawbacks, so it really boils down to your personal preferences.
Catching a flight will cut down your travel time, public transport will keep your costs low, and opting for a car can give you a greater sense of adventure!
Make the most of your trip with my free Sicily Travel Guide
The Holiday Season has officially started and you’ve probably chosen Sicily as one of your main destinations. If you’re coming from Rome and planning to head to Sicily, you should look at my free Sicily Travel Guide, where you’ll find my advice and experiences condensed in a single guide, to help you make the most out of your trip to Sicily!
And now, happy travel!
Marco