GETTING TO THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS:
(Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Filicudi, Alicudi, Panarea & Stromboli)

You can reach the Aeolian Islands by ferry and hydrofoil from Sicily, Naples or Reggio Calabria. The updated timetable is available on the website of the carrier companies:

From Milazzo:

Milazzo (on the Tyrrhenian coast of Sicily, 40 km west of Messina) is the main departure point for the Aeolian Islands. Several ferries and hydrofoils leave daily throughout the year, and stop in several islands. It takes 1hr 30 minutes to reach Salina by hydrofoil (3hr 40 minutes by ferry). See Ustica Lines or Siremar

From Palermo:

Passenger Hydrofoil Crossings take 3.5 to 4 hours.
Ustica Lines (twice daily from 1 June to 16 Sep only):
Departs Palermo 06:55 and 14:00
Departs Salina 08:05 and 16:55

From Naples:

SNAV: +39 081 4285555 (Naples port office) Passenger Hydrofoil (1 June -30 Sep only):
Departs Naples 14:30 Arrives Salina 19:35
Departs Salina 08:00 Arrives Naples 13:05
(stops off at 5 islands - Stromboli/Panarea/Salina/ Lipari/Vulcano)
Ustica Lines: +39 0923 22200 / +39 0923 873813 Passenger hydrofoil (29 June - 30 Sep)
Departs Naples 08:00 Arrives Salina 13:15
Departs Salina 15:45 Arrives Naples 21:00
Siremar run overnight car ferries from Naples to Salina generally on Tuesdays and Fridays (check with site for exact information).

From Cefalù:

Passenger only Hydrofoil (from 15 June - 30 Sep only)
Ustica Lines
Departs Cefalù 08:15 Arrives Salina 11:00
Departs Salina 16:55 Arrives Cefalù 20:00.

From Messina and Reggio Calabria:

Both ferries and hydrofoils depart daily throughout the year.

Note: all times must be confirmed as they are subject to change and weather conditions. Tickets offices are: in the Port, by the dock in Palermo; on the main road opposite the port entrance in Milazzo; in the main "piazza" by the port on the islands.

Booking Tickets:

Although this isn’t necessary in low and medium seasons as there are several daily, we recommend booking between mid July and the end of August, especially for weekends. Bookings may be made directly with the companies concerned. Alternatively, call our office and we will be happy to do it for you, plus service fee for each booking.

Helicopter:

The quickest way to reach the Islands from any of the departure points is by helicopter. Helicopters also provide a unique opportunity to get a bird’s eye view of the volcanic craters of Stromboli and Vulcano. For more information about getting to the islands by helicopter or helicopter excursions over the whole region, please contact us.