- Must visit
Galleria Regionale della Sicilia - Palazzo Abatellis
Important Sicilian art museum in Palazzo Abatellis, with medieval and Renaissance works including Antonello da Messina’s celebrated portrait.
Cheapest price
£50
Average price
£50
Fastest journey
5 h 5 m
Average duration
5 h 5 m
Ferries per day
1
Distance
166 km
The best way to find a cheap ferry ticket from Catania to Palermo is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Catania to Palermo will cost around £50 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap ferry tickets today for only £50.
Of the 1 ferries that leave Catania for Palermo every day 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue 25 Aug the direct ferries cover the 166 km distance in an average of 5 h 5 m but if you time it right, some ferries will get you there in just 5 h 5 m .
The slowest ferries will take 5 h 5 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
LIBERTY LINES
LIBERTY LINESOmio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Catania to Palermo among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £11. For those with little time consider booking a coach which can get you there in 2h 52m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £11, and a flight costs an average of £191.
Distance: 89 nautical miles (166 km)
| Ferry | Most popular Coach | Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|---|
£52 Average Price | £13 Average Price Cheapest | £19 Average Price | £309 Average Price |
6h 5m Average total duration 5h 5m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 3h 22m Average total duration Fastest 2h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 47m Average total duration 3h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 40m Average total duration 4h 40m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
- CO2 emissions | 0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Sailing Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Liberty Lines | Departure Time 04:30 | Arrival Time 09:35 | Duration 5h05 | Sailing Days Mon |
Operator Liberty Lines | Departure Time 06:30 | Arrival Time 11:35 | Duration 5h05 | Sailing Days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
The table below shows live departures for Catania to Palermo ferries for tomorrow, Tuesday 25 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LIBERTY LINES | 6:30 Port of Milazzo | 5h05 | 11:35 Port of Palermo | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last ferry of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach, flight and ferry prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Ferries from Catania to Palermo run on average 1 times per day, taking around 5h 5m. Cheap ferry tickets for this journey start at £49 but you can travel from only £11 by coach.
There are 1 ferries per day. The earliest ferry runs at 06:30, the last at 13:30. The fastest ferry covers the 89 nautical miles (166 km) distance in 5h 5m. There are 5 sailings per week. Ferries from Catania to Palermo are available to foot passengers.

Distance 89 nautical miles (166 km) |
Average sailing duration 5h 5m |
Cheapest ticket price £49 |
Ferries per day 1 |
Direct ferries Available |
Average weekly sailings 5 |
Fastest ferry 5h 5m |
First ferry 6:30 |
Last ferry 13:30 |
Foot passengers Available |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 70 days |
Discover the best of Palermo — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Palermo trip today.
Important Sicilian art museum in Palazzo Abatellis, with medieval and Renaissance works including Antonello da Messina’s celebrated portrait.
Archaeological museum with Greek, Roman and Etruscan finds, coins and sculpture. A strong choice for understanding Sicily’s ancient past.
Modern and contemporary art museum in a restored monastery complex. Visit for Italian art, changing exhibitions and a central historic setting.
Monumental square at the junction of Palermo’s historic main streets. A classic meeting point with theatrical Baroque façades and constant street life.
Elegant square beside Teatro Massimo, popular for strolling and people-watching. A useful base for exploring central Palermo on foot.
Historic market district with layered architecture, lively lanes and everyday city life. Best for atmosphere, street scenes and local character.
Fried rice balls filled with ragù, peas and cheese. A Sicilian street-food classic, especially beloved in Palermo for its hearty, portable character.
Soft sesame-topped roll stuffed with spleen and lung, often with ricotta or caciocavallo. A distinctive Palermo sandwich with deep working-class roots.
Pasta with sardines, wild fennel, raisins and pine nuts. It captures Palermo’s Arab-Norman culinary heritage through sweet-savoury flavours.
Traditional restaurant serving Sicilian seafood, pasta and Palermo classics in an elegant but relaxed historic-centre atmosphere.
Historic market stall famed for pane ca meusa and other Palermo street-food staples in a lively, no-frills setting.
Long-established informal spot known for arancine, panelle and other classic rosticceria specialities popular with locals.
Moderate for Italy: street food and buses are cheap, while central hotels and seafood restaurants cost more in peak season.
Service is often included or modest. Round up or leave €1-2 in cafés, 5-10% for very good restaurant service, and round up taxi fares.
Official public transport app
Port of Palermo Termini Imerese -> Palermo Centrale
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Catania to Palermo by ferry. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest ferry, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Palermo, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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