By Train to Sicily: Italy’s Best Rail Travel Experience

The best rail experience in Italy, and perhaps one of the most special journeys in the world, is taking the train to Sicily.

If you take a train from the Italian mainland to Sicily, you will enjoy the unique experience of your train being transported on a special ferry across the Strait of Messina.

At the moment, there is only one other passenger train ferry in operation anywhere in the world besides the one to Sicily – the ferry to the island of Hainan in China – which makes this Italian journey all the more special.

To Sicily by train

There are multiple trains you can take if you want to travel from the Italian mainland to Sicily, all of which include the special train ferry.

These are:

– Rome to Sicily InterCity train (twice daily)
– Rome to Sicily InterCity Notte night train (once or twice daily)
– Milan to Sicily InterCity Notte night train (once daily)

The Rome to Sicily trains stop en route in Naples, making this a good option for travelling from that city to Sicily as well.

Similarly, the Milan to Sicily night train is also convenient if you book it from intermediate stops in northern Italy such as Bologna or Florence.

Destinations in Sicily

Both the daytime InterCity trains and night trains to Sicily consist of two portions:

– One set of carriages bound for Cefalù and Palermo
– One set of carriages bound for Taormina, Catania, and Syracuse

For example, the Rome to Sicily night train departs the Italian capital with carriages for both Palermo and Syracuse.

Once the train coaches are shunted off the ferry in Messina, it is split into two parts, with one forming a train that continues along the northern coast of Sicily towards Palermo and the other heading along the eastern coast towards Catania and Syracuse.

In the reverse direction, the trains start separately and arrive in Messina at around the same time.

The carriages are then transported on the train ferry across the Strait of Messina to Villa San Giovanni on the Italian mainland, where they are coupled together and continue north as a single train.

Train ferry experience

Although the entire journey across southern Italy and Sicily is scenic, the highlight is the train ferry, and you should try to book a connection that includes the crossing between Villa San Giovanni and Messina during daylight hours.

If you book a night train, double-check whether the ferry crossing takes place during daylight hours, as this is not always the case for Rome to Sicily night trains.

Once all the train coaches have been shunted onto the deck of the ferry, you are free to leave the train if you wish and take a walk around the ferry.

I would highly recommend doing so, as you can enjoy the wonderful views as the ferry crosses the Strait of Messina from the Italian mainland to Sicily.

On a clear day, you can easily see Mount Etna in the distance during the crossing.

There is simply no better way to arrive in Sicily than standing on the deck of the car ferry as you sail into the port of Messina.

The train ferry also has a small café where you can buy drinks and snacks, which is another good reason to leave the train during the crossing.

Just make sure you return to your carriage in time before it is shunted off the ferry again on arrival.

Booking your ticket

A good website to book Italian train tickets, including trains to Sicily, is the reliable booking platform Omio.

You can use the search tool below to compare departure times and prices for trains on your preferred travel date.

Make sure you read my article with general Italian train travel tips before booking your ticket.

Most importantly, remember that long-distance and night trains have variable pricing and are generally cheaper if you book in advance or travel on off-peak dates.

Conclusion

Taking the train to Sicily is Italy’s most unique rail travel experiences, as the carriages are transported by ferry across the Strait of Messina.

There are both daytime and night trains available, allowing you to travel from Milan or Rome to Sicilian cities such as Palermo, Catania, Cefalù, Taormina, and Syracuse in comfort.