When I look at my rail pass app, it shows the train from Naples to Palermo as passing through Villa San Giovani via a short ferry ride to Messina in Sicily. However, I actually made that train ride one time, and from when we arrived in VSG, and then the train was loaded onto a ferry, and then unloaded in Sicily it seemed to take a full 2 hours - not just 20 minutes as indicated in the rail pass app. It was kinda fun but it was not quick. I am thinking now, that perhaps I need to get off the train on one side, and ride a ferry across, then board another train on the other side? Is the right? Has anyone done that?
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2192 posts
Oh heavens, yes! Take the ferry.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, CA
536 posts
So don't take the train-on-ferry, just get off the train, get on a separate ferry, then look for a train on the other side?
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2192 posts
Yes, exactly! Avoid all the time it takes to load the train on the ferry.
Posted by
Carmel, CA, USA
2455 posts
But, is there another train leaving right away, before the one that will carry the train?
Posted by
Seattle, WA, 98117
20 posts
There are BluJet hydrofoil ferries that run between Villa San Giovanni Train station and Messina, and Reggio di Calabria and Messina. You could use one of those instead of taking an Intercity trains that gets on and off the ferry. The BluJet hydrofoils run about every half hour or so.
If you search on Trenitalia for trains from Naples to Palermo, they will show options that include using those hyrodfoils.
https://www.blujetlines.it/orarietariffe.html
Posted by
Dolores, CO, USA
37 posts
For those with extra time like us (retired), we enjoyed watching the whole process of watching a train being loaded on a boat. Amazing.