Italy for me From Italy with love
The ferry to the city of Messina, located on the eastern part of the island of Sicily, departs several times a day from the port of Villa San Giovanni. The crossing takes 40 minutes, and the cost for a car with passengers is €39.
On the Italian side, the region closest to Sicily is Calabria, with the administrative center in Reggio di Calabria, from which it’s just a 15-minute drive to the Villa San Giovanni port.
Let’s take a closer look at what traveling by ferry is like. Here’s my personal experience:
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Step-by-Step Instructions
As you approach the port, you will see a large sign saying “TRAGHETTI PER MESSINA” (ferries to Messina) and the sign “Entrata” (entry).
A few hundred meters later, you’ll see the ticket booths (Bigletteria) with the action duplicated in English (Buy your ticket here). While my friends waited in line for the ferry, I ran to buy the ticket — it took just a minute. Last year, the crossing cost €38, but this year the price has gone up by €1.
Next, you need to carefully drive onto the ferry, with the staff guiding you to the right lane. We traveled on a seven-lane ferry to Messina.
Here’s what the ferry’s interior lounge looks like, but in good weather, most people prefer to stay on the deck.
As you sail away, you can enjoy views of the port of Villa San Giovanni.
As you approach Messina, you’ll see the bronze monument dedicated to the Madonna della Lettera, the city’s patroness. It has the Latin inscription “Vos et ipsam civitatem Benedicimus” (“We bless you and your city”).
This is what the port of Messina looks like from the water.
The ferry docks right in the city.
To the right of the port, you’ll find the promenade and the city beach.
I recommend reading about the main attractions in Messina and my personal road trip itinerary for Western Sicily.
Where to Check Ferry Schedules and Buy Tickets Online
Ferries from Villa San Giovanni to Messina run approximately every 25 minutes during the day and about once an hour from midnight to 6 a.m. The frequency depends on the season. To reserve a spot on the ferry and purchase tickets in advance, you can use the website directferries.com.
Enter your date, approximate time of travel, car model, and size. The website will show you the available options and prices.
You can check detailed ferry schedules for any day of the year by selecting the “View TimeTables” tab and clicking on the desired route.
If you need advice on planning a trip to Sicily, feel free to ask your questions in the comments. Before your trip, make sure to download our custom guide on your phone.