Ferry to Sicily
Ustica Cala Cimitero - Palermo
Leaving the small island off Palermo with your car: the Siremar ferry from Cala Cimitero, calling at both of Ustica's berths
- Car ferry from the Caronte & Tourist Siremar fleet, running every day of the week on the summer timetable
- Around 2.75 hours nonstop, 3.5 hours with a stop at Cala Santa Maria
- Day crossing with deck passage, bar and vehicle deck; there are no cabins on this route
What you should know about the crossing
Table of Contents
Getting there & terminal
Ustica is small, but the ferry uses two berths: Cala Santa Maria in the main town with Molo Barresi, and Cala Cimitero a little further out. On the summer timetable, the ferry calls at only one of the two on a given day, or both in succession; which berth applies to your departure is on the ticket. The port agency with the ticket counter is in town on Piazza Capitano Vito Di Bartolo.
In Palermo the Siremar ferry docks at Calata Marinai d'Italia, at Molo Sammuzzo with the Piave and Vittorio Veneto berths. By car, follow the city's signage to the Porto; parking is at Molo Santa Lucia or Molo Sammuzzo. Without a car: city bus 107 to Crispi-Porto, then a three-minute walk; from Palermo Centrale station it's a 20-minute walk.
Check-in & departure
A traditional check-in isn't needed 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, for example from agencies, are exchanged for a boarding pass at the port counter. Anyone using a discounted fare shows ID when boarding. The operator doesn't state a fixed number of minutes; with a vehicle, arrive well ahead of departure, since loading on the small island runs over a single ramp.
The summer timetable runs through end of September and provides at least one departure to Palermo on every weekday, with an early departure added on some days. The times for your day are in the timetable.
On board
The Sibilla sails this route, a small car ferry around 70 metres long. There's only deck passage: you sit in the lounge or outside, with no fixed seats assigned, and cabins or reserved seats don't exist on this route. A bar serves snacks and drinks. The vehicle deck is closed during the crossing.
Vehicle, bike & pets
Cars, motorbikes, motorhomes and bicycles travel on board, as do sports equipment such as canoes or surfboards. Gas-powered vehicles travel with the system switched off. The operator can also carry an unaccompanied vehicle; reserve that beforehand at the counter or with customer service.
Dogs wear a muzzle and lead for the whole crossing, and small animals should travel in a carrier where possible. On board, pets are allowed in all areas except the restaurant; they may not stay in the car on the vehicle deck. Dimensions and gas cylinders: Motorhome on the ferry; documents for dogs and cats: Taking your dog on the ferry.
Arrival & onward travel
Calata Marinai d'Italia lies in the middle of the port of Palermo, a few minutes from Via Francesco Crispi and the centre. Heading north, the overnight ferries to Naples, Genoa, Livorno and Civitavecchia use the same port; Palermo Centrale station is around two kilometres away.
Tickets & fares
Booking is done through the booking window above; the from-price comes live from the operator's data. The line runs as a publicly contracted service, with residents of the small islands having their own fares. Tickets are available online, in the app and at the port agency counters; island counters guarantee sales at least 90 minutes before every departure. The same timetable applies in reverse for the return from Palermo to Ustica.
Ustica - Palermo
Back to Palermo from Ustica
Ustica lies a good 60 kilometres north of Palermo, and the ferry is the only way to get a car off the island: Siremar, now the Caronte & Tourist Isole Minori brand, runs the route daily on the summer timetable. The island has two berths, Cala Santa Maria in the main town and Cala Cimitero; depending on the day of the week, the ferry calls at one or both.
Nonstop, the crossing takes around 2.75 hours; with a stop at the second berth, around 3.5 hours. Which Cala applies to your day is in the timetable.
- Crossing
- approx. 2.75-3.5 hrs
- Operator
- Siremar
- Frequency
- daily (summer timetable)
- From-price
- €23
Next departures
FAQ Ustica - Palermo
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Ustica-Palermo ferry route
How long does the ferry from Ustica to Palermo take?+
Around 2 hours 45 minutes nonstop, or around 3.5 hours with a stop at the island's second berth. Whether your departure starts at Cala Cimitero or Cala Santa Maria is in the timetable.
Cala Cimitero or Cala Santa Maria - where does the ferry depart from?+
Ustica's main berth is Cala Santa Maria in the town, with Cala Cimitero a little further out. On the summer timetable, the ferry calls at only one of the two on a given day of the week, or both in succession. Check the berth on your ticket and plan your route there.
How often does the ferry run?+
On the summer timetable through end of September, at least once every day of the week, with an extra early departure on some days. From October the winter timetable applies with fewer departures; the Liberty Lines hydrofoil supplements the ferry for foot passengers.
How does boarding work?+
Tickets bought online carry a QR code that's scanned on boarding; tickets without a code are exchanged for a boarding pass at the port agency counter. Anyone with a discounted fare shows ID when boarding. The operator doesn't state a fixed number of minutes; with a vehicle, arrive well ahead of departure.
How much does the Ustica - Palermo ferry cost?+
The price depends on season, vehicle and fare; the displayed from-price comes live from the operator's data. The price overview gives an idea.
Can my dog come on the ferry?+
Yes. Dogs wear a muzzle and lead for the whole crossing, small animals should travel in a carrier where possible; on board, pets are allowed everywhere except the restaurant. They may not stay in the car on the vehicle deck. Documents: Taking your dog on the ferry.