Ferry from Palermo to Salina
Tickets, Prices & SchedulesFerries between Palermo and Salina operate from June to October with at least 1 daily crossing to the island's 2 ports: Rinella and Santa Marina Salina. The route is operated by Liberty Lines and the trip lasts 3 hr or 3 hr 15 min. Ticket prices start from around €50.
Find all the updates regarding the crossing, timetables and ferry prices, and plan your trip to the Aeolian Islands on Ferryhopper with no hidden fees.
Discounts
Toddlers up to 3 years old can travel from Palermo to Salina for free but are not entitled to onboard seating. There are also discount tickets for children up to 11 years old.
On-board services and amenities
The Palermo - Salina hydrofoils are equipped with a basic range of amenities for a quick and relaxed journey to the Aeolian Islands. On board, you will find seating in air-conditioned lounges, as well as a bar where you can get drinks and snacks.
Cabins and accommodation
There are no cabins on the Palermo - Salina hydrofoils. Onboard seating is included in the ticket price.
Is premium seating available?
Premium and business-class seats are not available on ferries operating between Palermo and Salina. Only standard seating is available.
Can I reserve a specific seat?
No, seating in the passenger lounge is generally unassigned. We therefore recommend arriving early if you would like a wider choice of seats.
How much luggage is allowed on the ferries?
On the hydrofoils of Liberty Lines, each passenger can carry up to 10 kg of hand luggage with maximum dimensions of 60x40x20 cm. Young travelers entitled to discount tickets can carry up to 5 kg of luggage.
Amenities for people with disabilities
Ferries operating from Palermo to Salina are generally accessible to passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility.
Facilities on board include access ramps, reserved seating in the communal areas, and accessible restrooms.
Please note: some hydrofoils may not offer the full range of accessibility facilities.
Can I travel with my pet?
On the hydrofoils of Liberty Lines, you can bring your pet on board. Make sure to fill out the appropriate information as you book your tickets. A carrier or cage is required for small pets. As for larger pets, they must have a muzzle and a leash.
Don’t forget to bring along the necessary health documents, tickets and any pet supplies you may need during the trip.
For more details, you can check out our comprehensive guide on traveling by ferry with pets in Italy.
Useful tips for your ferry trip to Salina from Palermo
Here you can find some useful tips for your ferry trip from Palermo to Salina:
- In high season and on weekends, we recommend you arrive at least 1 hour in advance at the port of Palermo to avoid delays and overcrowding.
- When booking your ferry tickets to Salina, make sure to choose the correct port of arrival.
- You can also move between both ports of Salina island in just 10 min by ferry.
- If you want to travel to the island of Salina off-season, you can do so from the Sicilian port of Milazzo. Check out the Milazzo - Salina ferry route here!
- From Salina, you can continue your ferry adventure and go island hopping to the Aeolian Islands!
Where to take the ferry from Palermo to Salina
Hydrofoils to Salina from Palermo depart from Molo Crispi. The port of Palermo offers various services, such as parking lots, shuttle buses, restaurants and shops.
Also, it's just a 10-min ride from the historic center of Palermo where you can visit the imposing Cathedral of Palermo, the Massimo Theater and the Norman Palace.
How to get to the port of Palermo
- By car: the port is easy to reach via the A29 motorway (from Trapani) and the A19 motorway (from Catania and Messina) by following the signs for the port. Parking facilities are available near the ferry terminals.
- By bus: AMAT city buses connect the port with the main areas of Palermo, with several routes stopping near the ferry terminals.
- By train: Palermo Centrale train station is around 1 km from the port. You can get there in about 15 min on foot, or with a short taxi or bus ride.
- By plane: Palermo Falcone-Borsellino Airport is around 30 km from the port. It is connected to the city center by the Trinacria Express train (around 45 min to Palermo Centrale), as well as by shuttle bus and taxi.
Where does the ferry arrive in Salina?
Ferries from Palermo arrive at both ports of Salina: Santa Marina and Rinella.
- The port of Santa Marina is on the eastern shores of Salina and is the island’s main port.
- Rinella, which is the smaller port on the island, is located on thesouthern sideof the island.
Around both ports, you will find cafés, bars and restaurants, as well as shops, ATMs, taxis, car rental agencies and other useful travel amenities.
How long is the ferry ride from Palermo to Salina?
The Palermo - Salina ferry time takes 3 hr or 3 hr 15 min, depending mainly on the port of arrival.
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FAQs
No, you cannot embark your vehicle on the hydrofoils that serve the Palermo - Salina route.
Tip: you can leave your vehicle at a parking lot close to the port of Palermo before departing for Salina.
The connection from the port of Palermo to the island of Salina is operated only by fast hydrofoils. The fastest ferry from Palermo to the port of Rinella in Salina takes about 3 hr.
No, there are no night ferries between Palermo and the ports of Salina.
Connections are operated by high-speed hydrofoils, with 1 daily departure during the daytime, usually at 13:30.
The distance between the port of Palermo and the Aeolian island of Salina is 76 nautical miles (about 140 km).
It is not possible to plan a day trip from Palermo to Salina.
The hydrofoil departs from Palermo at 13:30 and reaches Salina in the late afternoon, after a journey of around 3 hours. The return crossing to Palermo, however, departs in the morning. These schedules therefore do not allow you to make the trip in a single day.
If you want to visit the island, you’ll need to plan at least 1 overnight stay.
It mostly depends on where you’re staying and which parts of the island you plan to explore:
- Santa Marina Salina is generally the more convenient option. It is the island’s main port, located on the eastern coast, and offers a wider choice of hotels, restaurants, shops, rentals and taxis. It’s particularly convenient if you’re staying in Santa Marina or Lingua. The crossing from Palermo takes around 3 hr 15 min.
- Rinella is a smaller, quieter port on the southwestern side of the island. It’s a better option if you’re staying in Rinella, Leni, Valdichiesa or other nearby areas in the south. Rinella’s characteristic black-sand beach is also right next to the port. The crossing from Palermo takes around 3 hr.
When booking your Palermo - Salina trip on Ferryhopper, you can easily check in online, get your tickets on your phone, and board the ferry directly with your e-ticket without collecting any paper tickets at the port.
Find detailed answers to all your questions about ferry ticket changes, cancellations and refunds.
Remember that you can also use Ferryhopper's online booking modification service, available with certain ferry companies.
If your ferry trip is cancelled, you usually have the following options:
- Change your ticket to another departure of equal value.
- Cancel your ticket with a request sent to the ferry operator for a full refund.
Find out more about what you can do in case of weather disruption or ferry strike.
If you’re worried about possible delays or cancellations, you can always visit our ferry travel alerts page for real-time updates on strikes, weather disruptions, and service suspensions.