Ferry to Sicily
Salerno - Messina
The motorway of the sea to eastern Sicily: Caronte & Tourist's Cartour ferries by day to Messina, without driving through Calabria
- Daily with Caronte & Tourist, from Salerno in the early afternoon, from Messina overnight
- Around nine hours' crossing, with views of the Tyrrhenian coast and the strait by day
- Cabins, seats, pet cabins and Camping on Board, boarding by QR code with no counter
What you should know about the crossing
Table of Contents
Getting there & terminal
In Salerno the ferry departs from the commercial port at Molo Ponente. From the A3 from Naples, take the Vietri sul Mare exit and follow signs for Porto Commerciale and Via Ligea; from the A2 from the south, take the Salerno junction and continue towards the Costiera Amalfitana. Without a car: city bus to the Ligea terminus, or around 50 minutes' walk from Salerno railway station.
In Messina the berth is at Molo Norimberga in the Zona Falcata: take the Messina Centro exit, then follow the signs for "Imbarchi per Salerno". It's a short walk from Messina Centrale railway station. The shuttle ferries to Villa San Giovanni use a different berth, so don't confuse the two.
Check-in & departure
There's no counter check-in if you bought online, in the app or by phone from Caronte & Tourist: your ticket carries a QR code that crew scan on boarding. Tickets without a code are exchanged for a boarding pass at the port counter; in Messina the counter at Molo Norimberga is open in the evening, to suit the night departure. Bring a valid ID, your boarding pass and, if driving, the vehicle registration document; anyone using a discounted fare shows proof when boarding.
From Salerno the ferry sails daily in the early afternoon, returning from Messina overnight from Tuesday to Sunday. The operator doesn't state a fixed number of minutes; with a vehicle, arrive well ahead of departure and join the lane, following staff instructions without leaving the car.
On board
Ships of the Cartour fleet sail this route, including the Cartour Delta, 186 metres long. You can choose inside, outside and superior cabins with their own bathroom, a berth in a shared cabin, numbered seats in a lounge with a TV and power sockets, or deck passage with no fixed seat. A self-service restaurant, a bar, a children's area and the free Delta TV infotainment platform over the onboard Wi-Fi are all available. Luggage is free, with no weight limit.
Vehicle, bike & pets
Cars, motorbikes, scooters, campers and minibuses travel on board. For motorhomes there's Camping on Board where available: you stay in the vehicle during the crossing, with a power hook-up and your own sanitary facilities, booking deck passage alongside it. Gas-powered vehicles travel with the system switched off, reported on board. The operator also carries an unaccompanied vehicle, by reservation at the counter or with customer service.
Dogs must wear a muzzle and lead, and small animals should travel in a carrier where possible. On the long route, animals belong in the pet kennels on board or, with the Pet Cabin option, in your cabin, up to two animals per cabin; they may not stay in the car on the vehicle deck. Dimensions and gas cylinders: Motorhome on the ferry; documents: Taking your dog on the ferry.
Arrival & onward travel
Molo Norimberga lies at the southern edge of the port, a short walk from Messina Centrale station and the tram into the centre. By car, the A18 passes Taormina to Catania, and the A20 runs via Milazzo to Palermo; both start at the edge of the city.
Tickets & fares
Booking is done through the booking window above; the from-price comes live from the operator's data and depends on accommodation and vehicle. Tickets are also available in the app, at the counters in Messina and Salerno (with a fee), at travel agents and by phone with customer service. For return journeys, the operator offers a paid flexibility option that refunds the outbound and return ticket if you don't travel.
Salerno - Messina
Daily by day from Salerno to Messina
Anyone heading to eastern Sicily who'd rather skip the 400 kilometres of motorway through Calabria can board in Salerno: Caronte & Tourist sails the Cartour fleet daily to Messina, from Salerno as a day crossing in around nine hours, returning from Messina overnight.
On board there are cabins, seats, pet cabins and, for motorhomes, Camping on Board. Docking in Messina is at Molo Norimberga near the city centre, not at the shuttle berth for Villa San Giovanni.
- Crossing
- approx. 9 hrs
- Operator
- Caronte & Tourist
- Frequency
- daily
- From-price
- €28
Next departures
FAQ Salerno - Messina
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Salerno-Messina ferry route
How long does the ferry from Salerno to Messina take?+
Around nine hours, longer in bad weather. From Salerno you sail in the early afternoon and arrive in Messina in the evening; the return from Messina runs overnight. The times for your day are in the timetable.
How often does the ferry run?+
Daily from Salerno; from Messina overnight from Tuesday to Sunday. During holidays and in August, the operator adds occasional extra departures.
How does boarding work?+
Tickets bought online, in the app or by phone carry a QR code that the crew scans; counter check-in isn't needed. Tickets without a code are exchanged for a boarding pass at the port counter. Bring your ID and boarding pass, plus the vehicle registration document if driving. The operator doesn't state a fixed number of minutes, so with a vehicle, arrive well ahead of departure.
How much does the Salerno - Messina ferry cost?+
The price depends on accommodation (deck passage, seat, cabin) and vehicle; the displayed from-price comes live from the operator's data. The price overview gives an idea. A fee is added at the port counter, not online.
Can I stay in my motorhome?+
Yes, if Camping on Board is offered: then you stay in your motorhome during the crossing, with power and your own sanitary facilities, booking deck passage alongside it. Cars, motorbikes, campers and minibuses travel on board; gas-powered vehicles only with the system switched off. Dimensions and gas cylinders: Motorhome on the ferry.
Can my dog come on board?+
Yes. On the long route, animals travel in the pet kennels on board or, if you book a cabin, with the Pet Cabin option, up to two animals per cabin. Dogs must wear a muzzle and lead, and no animal may stay in the car on the vehicle deck. Documents: Taking your dog on the ferry.