Home » Ferries to and in Malta » Malta to Sicily Ferry
Interested in taking the ferry from Malta to Sicily to discover all that it has to offer? You’ve come to the right place!
From how to take the ferry, the experience on board, and essential travel information, to the top places to visit, I’ll be highlighting the key points that will help you plan the ultimate trip using the Malta ferry to Sicily.
Since Sicily is known for its international connections with some of Europe’s biggest ferry companies, you can travel to mainland Italy, the surrounding islands, North Africa via Tunisia, and of course, Malta.
The port location in Malta is located in Valletta (next to what’s referred to as the Valletta Waterfront), whilst the port in Sicily is in Pozzallo. The distance between the two islands is 57 nautical miles (105 km), with the ferry ride lasting approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Although there are currently no direct ferries from Valletta to Catania, you can still get there easily if you’re interested in spending most of your time there. Prior to finalising your booking with Direct Ferries, all you need to do is add the bus transfer option from Pozzallo to Catania.
The Malta Sicily ferry service operates daily. Generally speaking, ferries depart from Valletta as early as 5:00 am, while the last ferry from Pozzallo departs at 21:30.
With this in mind, be aware of possible cancellations in the event of rough weather during the winter months.
Next, it’s time to purchase tickets. The process is quite straightforward and can be completed in a few simple steps.
Ticket prices may vary according to the season and whether you’re travelling as a foot passenger or with a vehicle.
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If you really want to experience the beauty of Sicily at your own pace without the stress of any time limits, your best option is to go by car.
As opposed to the pre-planned stops of a guided tour, this option will allow you to see more of the island’s top sights and perhaps go off the beaten track to discover some hidden gems.
Upon boarding the ferry from the Malta port, the staff will carry out your check-in whilst you’re still behind the wheel.
Once you arrive in Sicily, you will be asked to head to the garage before you need to head to the garage before the other passengers disembark.
If you do not have a car, renting one from Malta is possible; however, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind.
Of course, the ferry price increases if you’re travelling with a personal car and a rental car. Moreover, you need to pay an additional fee to the car rental company. This varies according to the model you choose and the duration of your journey between Malta and Sicily.
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Get ready to sit back and relax whilst sailing from Valletta to Pozzallo. In a nutshell, the ferry Malta to Sicily vessel experience offers visitors all the amenities and anything they need whilst crossing from Valletta to Pozzallo.
Ensure that you arrive at the passenger terminal 1 hour before the chosen departure time.
Onto the nitty gritty. E.U. citizens shouldn’t have any issues with entering Sicily. All you need to produce is a national identity card or a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of arrival.
Alongside a valid passport, non-E.U. citizens (US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK) need to apply for a Schengen short-stay visa. In this case, you will need the Italian Tourist/Visitor.
You can get more information on this topic here: VISA requirements for entering Italy.
Being the largest island on the Mediterranean Sea and one of Italy’s most beloved regions, Sicily is brimming with glorious places, incredible history, spectacular architecture, lush beaches, and the best street food…need I say more?
Without any further ado, here are some of the things that make Sicily so special!
If you can’t stay in Sicily for at least three days or a week, don’t fret! Taking one of the popular day tours to Sicily from Malta on offer is the perfect option for visitors who have less time on their hands.
A knowledgeable tour guide will be with you all day whilst visiting some of the most fascinating places on the island, such as Catania, Mount Etna, Taormina and Syracuse.
The ferry ride from Malta to Sicily takes approximately 1h 45m. The distance between the two ports is 52.1 nautical miles.
The ferry from Malta to Sicily cost depends on the ferry company, if you’re travelling as a foot passenger or with a car and whether you’re going to Sicily during the summer or winter months.
Yes, you can do a day trip from Malta to Sicily and there are several options to choose from. More on that topic here: Day Trips from Malta to Sicily.
Edward is the Founder and Editor of Malta Uncovered and author of two guidebooks on Malta and Valletta.
As a tourist-turned-expat with Maltese roots, he knows the islands inside out and helps thousands of visitors enjoy a memorable trip every year.
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