The strait of Messina

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The strait of Messina

Messina is connected with Villa San Giovanni through the ferry boat of the Italian public company Ferrovie dello Stato (35'; 18 times per day) and the private company Caronte & Tourist (25'; 35 times per day going to Messina, 36 times per day going to Villa San Giovanni). This last one also offers a service from/to Salerno (v. see how to reach by sea).
From Reggio Calabria departs the hydrofoil of the Ustica Lines (15' direction Messina, 3 times per day from 1st June to 16th September [14:30;18:00; 21:55], 2 times per day from 17th September to 31st May [08:55; 13:25]; direction Reggio Calabria 2 times per day [from 1st June to 16th September: 08:40; 13:25; from 17th September to 31st May: 08:30; 13:00]). In addition to the above mentioned companies are the ferry boats of Meridiano (25' with direction Messina, 12 times per day from Monday to Friday, every 2 hours from 2h 01:00 to 07:00 from 08:00 to 22:00. On Saturdays 4 times per day [01:00; 03:00; 05:00; 07:00], and 2 times per day on Sundays and public holidays [20:00; 22:00]; direction Reggio Calabria 2 times per day from Monday to Friday, every 2 h between 01:00 and 07:00 and between 08:00 and 22:00, 3 times per day on Saturdays [12:00; 14:00; 16:00], 3 times per day on Sundays and public holidays [10:00; 12:00; 14:00]).
The company Meridiano also offers a connection between Reggio Calabria and Tremestieri, a town situated 6 km south of the port of Messina. The journey by sea takes 30 minutes. There are 12 routes going to Tremestieri every day ( Monday to Friday, every 2 hours from 1.00 am to 7.00 and from 8 am to 22 pm) , 4 routes on Saturday (02:00; 04:00; 06:00; 08:00), 2 routes on Sunday and public holidays(20:00; 22:00). In direction Calabria 2 daily times (from Monday to Friday, every 2 hours between 01:00 and 07:00 and from 08:00 to 22:00, and 3 daily times on Saturdays at 12:00, 14:00,16:00. Finally, 3 daily times on Sundays , at 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00.
Passengers tariffs:
From € 1,50 to € 2,00 for one way or return ticket of the ferry boats operated by Ferrovie dello Stato, Caronte and Meridiano; € 4,30 plus € 1,50 (pre-sale fee) for hydrofoils of the Ustica Lines.
Car fares:
- Caronte: € 29,00 one way, € 30,00 return ticket within 4 days, € 50,00 return ticket up to 90 days
- Meridiano: € 10,00 one way ticket, € 15,00 return ticket
Car passengers always travel for free
Travel on the ferry boat is free for passengers of the national railway Ferrovie dello Stato. If you travel at night you can remain on board of the train, but the loading manoeuvres are quite noisy. If your journey is during the day, you’d better get off at the station in Villa San Giovanni, from where you can directly reach the pier, or the station in Reggio Lido, which lies 200 m from the dock.

Those travelling by car can purchase the tickets at the ticket office spread along the way to the boarding pier (the first one is the ticket office of Ferrovie dello Stato, followed by Caronte some 500 m onward), while passengers without vehicle pay directly on board.