Ferry operator
Liberty Lines
Profile of Sicily's fast-ferry operator: routes to Calabria, fleet, check-in, luggage, pets and tickets
- Hydrofoils across the strait, 19 weekday departures per direction between Reggio Calabria and Messina
- Founded in 1993 as Ustica Lines, Liberty Lines since 2016, over 30 fast craft and 3.5 million passengers a year
- Foot passengers only, check-in 15 minutes before departure, one item of hand luggage up to ten kilos free
About Liberty Lines
Table of Contents
About Liberty Lines
Liberty Lines is Italy's largest operator of fast passenger services at sea. It was founded in 1993 by the Naples-based shipowner Vittorio Morace as Ustica Lines, with a single hydrofoil between Naples, Ustica, Favignana, Trapani, Pantelleria and Tunisian Kelibia. Routes to the Pelagie and Aegadian Islands followed, then from 1997 its own newbuilds from the Rodriquez shipyard in Messina, and in 2010 the contract for fast services between Messina, Reggio Calabria and Villa San Giovanni. In 2016 Ustica Lines took over the fast-craft services of the former Siremar and a majority stake in Traghetti delle Isole, renaming itself Liberty Lines after its founder's first ship. The operator is based in Trapani, employs over 750 people and carries more than 3.5 million passengers a year. Since December 2022 it has run, on behalf of the Sicilian regional government, the routes to the Aeolian, Aegadian and Pelagie Islands, to Pantelleria and Ustica, with over a hundred thousand departures a year through the end of 2028.
Ships
The fleet includes more than 30 fast craft: hydrofoils, monohulls, catamarans and, since 2024, the new generation of hybrid ships, of which the Vittorio Morace was the world's first fast hybrid ship; all nine hybrid ships are now in service between Sicily and the small islands, running on electric power near port. The hydrofoils carry around 180 to 325 passengers depending on type, at 31 to 38 knots. The fleet is maintained at the operator's own shipyard in Trapani.
Routes to Sicily
Two lines count on this domain: the hydrofoil Reggio Calabria - Messina across the strait, run on behalf of the public authority since October 2023, 19 times per direction on weekdays between 05:30 and 23:20, eight times at weekends, in 30 to 35 minutes; and in summer Vibo Valentia - Milazzo from the Calabrian coast via Stromboli, Panarea, Salina, Lipari and Vulcano to Milazzo in around 4.5 hours, currently on Thursdays and Sundays. From Milazzo, Messina and Palermo, the operator also runs daily to the Aeolian Islands and to Ustica.
Check-in, luggage and pets
You need to be at the berth at least 15 minutes before departure, with a ticket and valid ID, 45 minutes on international routes; after that your place isn't guaranteed. Ground staff check you in before boarding, and you show your boarding pass on your smartphone; the ticket is personal and valid only for the departure it's booked for. During the crossing you stay seated until the ship has docked. One item of hand luggage up to ten kilos is free, more costs a luggage ticket. Vehicles don't travel; for a car or motorhome, the car ferry across the strait remains the option, see Motorhome on the ferry. Dogs travel on a lead and with a muzzle, small animals in a carrier, see Taking your dog on the ferry.
Fares & booking
A fixed fare applies per journey. Tickets are available online, in the app, at the operator's counters and via WhatsApp; commuters on the strait buy a carnet with 40 trips within 90 days, students at the universities of Messina and Reggio a ten-trip pack, both only after registering in the customer portal with a photo and ID. Residents of the small islands use the Resident Card, and groups of 25 or more adults get a discount. The price overview gives an idea.
FAQ Liberty Lines
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Liberty Lines and the fast craft to Sicily
Which routes does Liberty Lines run between Calabria and Sicily?+
Two: the hydrofoil Reggio Calabria - Messina across the strait, 19 times per direction on weekdays, and in summer Vibo Valentia - Milazzo via the Aeolian Islands, currently on Thursdays and Sundays. There are also routes from Milazzo, Messina and Palermo to the islands.
Does Liberty Lines take cars?+
No, the hydrofoils and fast craft carry passengers only. With a car, motorbike or motorhome, you cross the strait on the car ferry from Villa San Giovanni; the rules for that are at Motorhome on the ferry.
When do I need to be at the berth?+
At least 15 minutes before departure, with a valid ticket and ID; 45 minutes on international routes. Ground staff check you in before boarding, and you show your boarding pass on your phone. Anyone needing help boarding should let the operator know 48 hours ahead and arrive 30 minutes before departure.
How much luggage can I bring?+
One item of hand luggage up to ten kilos and 60 × 40 × 20 centimetres is free; for more luggage you buy a luggage ticket at the standard rate. Luggage goes into the designated areas and is collected again on disembarkation.
Can my dog come on the hydrofoil?+
Yes. Small animals travel the whole journey in a carrier, medium and large dogs on a lead and with a muzzle, with a health certificate on request, in the designated areas. Guide dogs are exempt. Documents: Taking your dog on the ferry.
What do tickets cost, and where do I buy them?+
A fixed fare applies per journey; commuters buy a carnet for 40 trips within 90 days, and groups of 25 or more adults get a discount. Tickets are available online, in the app, at the counters in Reggio Calabria, Messina and Milazzo, and via WhatsApp. The price overview gives an idea.