Italy
Villa San Giovanni → Messina
The legendary maritime crossing between the Italian mainland and the island of Sicily over Homer’s Scylla and Charybdis. Even entire Trenitalia passenger trains are rolled into the hold of the ferry.
⏱ 20m🚢 2 operators📅 Every 15 – 20 minutes, 24/7/365🚗 Vehicles accepted🐕 Pet friendly
Maritime Crossing Route Map
Interactive sea passage between Villa San Giovanni and Messina
Villa San Giovanni⇄Messina
⏱ 20m · 📐 4.5 nm
© OpenFreeMap / OSM
⚡ Verified Partner Rates
Ready to cross from Villa San Giovanni to Messina?
Compare live vehicle deck availability, foot passenger fares, and schedules across all operators.
Operators on This Route
| Operator | Crossing Time | Vessels |
|---|---|---|
| Caronte & Tourist | 20m | Elio (LNG Hybrid), Archimede |
| Bluferries (FS Italiane) | 25m | Trinacria, Sikania |
Route Features
🚗
Vehicles
Cars, campervans, and motorbikes accepted
🚶
Foot Passengers
Walk-on passengers welcome
🐕
Pets
Pets allowed with valid documents
📐
Distance
4.5 nautical miles
Getting There & Onward Transport
- Connects the A2 Autostrada del Mediterraneo to the A18 Messina-Catania and A20 Messina-Palermo autostradas in Sicily
- Villa San Giovanni and Messina Centrale railway stations
Frequently Asked Questions
Do trains actually roll onto the ferry to Sicily?
Yes! Bluferries and Trenitalia operate specialized roll-on/roll-off train ferries where long-distance trains from Rome and Milan are shunted into the ship’s hull.