Ferry from Villa San Giovanni to Messina

Tickets, Prices & Schedules

You can travel from Villa San Giovanni, in Calabria, to Messina all year round with Caronte & Tourist. Ferries run daily, with frequent departures available 24 hours a day. The crossing takes just 20 min, and tickets cost €2.50.

Find all the information about routes, schedules and prices, and book your ferry to Messina on Ferryhopper with no hidden fees!

Discounts

There are currently no available discounts on ferries from Villa San Giovanni to Messina.

On-board services and amenities

Caronte & Tourist offers passengers a range of quality onboard services on ferries from Villa San Giovanni to Messina. On board, you’ll find:

  • spacious air-conditioned lounges with comfortable seating
  • shops
  • snack bars
  • children’s play areas

Cabins and accommodation

There are no cabins on the Villa San Giovanni to Messina ferries, due to the short journey. A deck-seat on board is included in the ticket price.

How much luggage is allowed on the ferries?

On Caronte & Tourist ferries, each passenger can bring up to 20 kg of hand luggage free of charge. Young passengers traveling on a half-fare ticket are entitled to half the baggage allowance (10 kg).

Amenities for people with disabilities

Ferries from Villa San Giovanni to Messina are generally accessible to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility and offer dedicated facilities to make the journey easier, including access ramps, reserved seating in indoor lounges and accessible restrooms.

However, onboard facilities may vary depending on the vessel, so we recommend notifying the ferry company in advance of any assistance requirements.

Can I travel with my pet?

You can travel with your pet on ferries to Messina from Villa San Giovanni. Make sure to include your pet in your booking online.

Small pets must remain in a pet carrier. Larger dogs must wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash.

Remember to bring all the necessary health documents, such as your pet’s vaccination record or EU pet passport, along with any supplies your pet may need during the journey.

For more information, visit our dedicated guide to traveling by ferry with your pet in Italy.

Useful tips for your ferry trip from Villa San Giovanni to Messina

Here are some travel tips for your trip from Villa San Giovanni to Messina:

Where to take the ferry from Villa San Giovanni to Messina?

Caronte & Tourist ferries for Messina usually depart from the company’s ferry terminal at the port of Villa San Giovanni. Blu Jet hydrofoils depart from the Piazza Stazione pier.

Near the port of Villa San Giovanni, you will also find cafes, restaurants, ATMs, supermarkets, and shops.

Useful info: Ferries from Villa San Giovanni to Messina don’t only transport passengers and vehicles, but also trains. The port of Villa San Giovanni is, in fact, connected to a train station, where you can take a train that will take you across the Strait of Messina and onto different destinations in Sicily.

How to get to the port of Villa San Giovanni

  • By car: if you’re arriving via the A2 Autostrada del Mediterraneo, take the Villa San Giovanni exit and follow the signs for "Caronte & Tourist, imbarchi per la Sicilia". The ticketing terminal is located at the end of the exit road.
  • By bus: several long-distance and regional bus services connect Villa San Giovanni with Reggio Calabria and the airport, with stops near the port and train station.
  • By train: Villa San Giovanni train station is just a short walk from the port and is served by numerous long-distance trains.
  • By plane: the nearest airport is Reggio Calabria Airport, around 15 km away. From there, you can reach Villa San Giovanni by taxi in about 20 min, or by public bus or train.

Where does the ferry arrive in Messina?

Ferries departing from Villa San Giovanni arrive at the port of Messina, located close to the city center and around 600 meters from the train station.

In the port area, you’ll find various services, including bars, restaurants, private parking, car rentals and a gas station.

How long is the ferry ride from Villa San Giovanni to Messina?

The ferry crossing from Villa San Giovanni to Messina takes approximately 20 min.

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FAQs

You can board your vehicle on conventional ferries from Villa San Giovanni to Messina but not on hydrofoils.

You can board your vehicle on Caronte & Tourist ferries. Fares for taking a car on board start at around €40, motorcycle tickets cost around €15, while camper fares are around €58.

Keep in mind that prices may vary depending on the travel period.

The distance between the port of Villa San Giovanni and Messina is 4.5 nautical miles (around 8 km).

There are high-speed ferries traveling between Villa San Giovanni and Messina. The fastest ferry reaches Messina in 20 min.

Yes, the route operates 24 hours a day. Ferries depart approximately every hour, with the first crossing at 00:00 and the last at 22:40.

We recommend booking your ferry tickets well in advance (1-2 months), especially if you’re traveling during the summer, around public holidays or with a vehicle.

That said, thanks to the frequent departures from Villa San Giovanni, you can also book closer to your travel date, though preferably no less than 48 hours in advance.

When booking your ferry Villa San Giovanni - Messina 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.

Related ferry schedules

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