- Recommended
Museo Civico Castello Ursino
Civic museum inside Castello Ursino with paintings, archaeology and applied arts. A strong introduction to Catania’s layered past.
Cheapest price on 17 Sept
£8
Average ticket price on 17 Sept
£9
Fastest journey on 17 Sept
1 h 19 m
Average journey duration on 17 Sept
1 h 20 m
Trains on 17 Sept
77
Distance
87 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Messina to Catania is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Messina to Catania will cost around £9 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £8.
On Thu 17 Sept, we found 77 trains from Messina to Catania, including 65 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 87 km distance in an average of 1 h 20 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 19 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 20 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.
Regionale 21681 · Regionale 12955
Regionale 21689 · Regionale 12981
Regionale 12983
Regionale 21686 · Regionale 12977
Regionale Veloce 5383
Intercity 721
Intercity 721
Regionale Veloce 5391
Regionale Veloce 5397
Regionale Veloce 5397Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Messina to Catania among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £6 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 2m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £6, while a ferry costs an average of £43.
Distance: 87 km
| Train | Most popular Coach | Ferry | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£8 Average Price | £6 Average Price Cheapest | £43 Average Price | £18 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 2m Average total duration Fastest 1h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 13m Average total duration 1h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 10m Average total duration 4h 10m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 1h 18m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Messina to Catania:
A coach is £2 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Messina to Catania costing on average £8.
A coach is £37 less than a ferry for this route with tickets for a ferry from Messina to Catania costing on average £43.
Other travel options to Catania take longer:
Coach takes on average 1h 43m.
Ferry takes on average 4h 10m.
Tickets start at around £8 compared to roughly £18 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £10. The journey takes 1h 32m versus 1h 18m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Direct services run with Regionale, Intercity.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Messina to Catania trains for tomorrow, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Regionale 5381 | 5:10 Messina Centrale | 1h25 | 6:35 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 5381 | 5:10 Messina Centrale | 1h25 | 6:35 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12953 | 5:39 Messina Centrale | 1h38 | 7:17 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12953 | 5:39 Messina Centrale | 1h54 | 7:33 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12953 | 5:39 Messina Centrale | 1h54 | 7:33 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12953 | 5:39 Messina Centrale | 1h38 | 7:17 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 21681 · Regionale 12955 | 6:07 Fiumara Gazzi | 2h08 | 8:15 Catania Ognina | 1 change | |
Regionale 12955 | 6:30 Messina Centrale | 2h00 | 8:30 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12955 | 6:30 Messina Centrale | 2h00 | 8:30 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12955 | 6:30 Messina Centrale | 1h45 | 8:15 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12955 | 6:30 Messina Centrale | 1h45 | 8:15 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 21680 · Regionale Veloce 5383 | 7:11 Fiumara Gazzi | 1h35 | 8:46 Catania Centrale | 1 change | |
Regionale Veloce 5383 | 7:20 Messina Centrale | 1h26 | 8:46 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale Veloce 5383 | 7:20 Messina Centrale | 1h26 | 8:46 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12961 | 7:52 Messina Centrale | 1h53 | 9:45 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12961 | 7:52 Messina Centrale | 1h53 | 9:45 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12961 | 7:52 Messina Centrale | 2h08 | 10:00 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12961 | 7:52 Messina Centrale | 2h08 | 10:00 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 21682 · Regionale 5385 | 8:08 Fiumara Gazzi | 2h29 | 10:37 Catania Centrale | 1 change | |
Regionale 5385 | 9:15 Messina Centrale | 1h22 | 10:37 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 5385 | 9:15 Messina Centrale | 1h22 | 10:37 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 21684 · Regionale 12967 | 9:18 Fiumara Gazzi | 2h52 | 12:10 Catania Centrale | 1 change | |
Regionale 12967 | 10:22 Messina Centrale | 1h37 | 11:59 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12967 | 10:22 Messina Centrale | 1h48 | 12:10 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12967 | 10:22 Messina Centrale | 1h48 | 12:10 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale Veloce 5391 | 11:15 Messina Centrale | 1h20 | 12:35 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale Veloce 5391 | 11:15 Messina Centrale | 1h20 | 12:35 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12969 | 11:55 Messina Centrale | 2h02 | 13:57 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12969 | 11:55 Messina Centrale | 2h15 | 14:10 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12969 | 11:55 Messina Centrale | 2h02 | 13:57 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12969 | 11:55 Messina Centrale | 2h15 | 14:10 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 21687 · Regionale 12973 | 12:37 Fiumara Gazzi | 3h02 | 15:39 Catania Centrale | 1 change | |
Regionale Veloce 5395 | 13:20 Messina Centrale | 1h23 | 14:43 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale Veloce 5395 | 13:20 Messina Centrale | 1h23 | 14:43 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12973 | 13:35 Messina Centrale | 2h04 | 15:39 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12973 | 13:35 Messina Centrale | 1h52 | 15:27 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12973 | 13:35 Messina Centrale | 1h52 | 15:27 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12973 | 13:35 Messina Centrale | 2h04 | 15:39 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 21686 · Regionale 12977 | 13:46 Fiumara Gazzi | 2h08 | 15:54 Catania Ognina | 1 change | |
Regionale 21689 · Regionale 12981 | 13:52 Fiumara Gazzi | 2h40 | 16:32 Catania Centrale | 1 change | |
Regionale 21689 · Regionale 12981 | 13:52 Fiumara Gazzi | 2h26 | 16:18 Catania Ognina | 1 change | |
Regionale 12977 | 14:12 Messina Centrale | 1h57 | 16:09 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12977 | 14:12 Messina Centrale | 1h42 | 15:54 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12977 | 14:12 Messina Centrale | 1h42 | 15:54 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12977 | 14:12 Messina Centrale | 1h57 | 16:09 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12981 | 14:35 Messina Centrale | 1h43 | 16:18 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12981 | 14:35 Messina Centrale | 1h43 | 16:18 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12981 | 14:35 Messina Centrale | 1h57 | 16:32 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12981 | 14:35 Messina Centrale | 1h57 | 16:32 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 21688+ Intercity 721 | 14:56 Fiumara Gazzi | 2h13 | 17:09 Catania Centrale | 1 change | |
Regionale 21691 · Regionale 12983 | 15:25 Fiumara Gazzi | 2h51 | 18:16 Catania Centrale | 1 change | |
Intercity 721 | 15:50 Messina Centrale | 1h19 | 17:09 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Intercity 721 | 15:50 Messina Centrale | 1h19 | 17:09 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12983 | 16:18 Messina Centrale | 1h46 | 18:04 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12983 | 16:18 Messina Centrale | 1h58 | 18:16 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12983 | 16:18 Messina Centrale | 1h58 | 18:16 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12983 | 16:18 Messina Centrale | 1h46 | 18:04 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 21690 · Regionale Veloce 5397 | 16:44 Fiumara Gazzi | 1h51 | 18:35 Catania Centrale | 1 change | |
Regionale Veloce 5397 | 17:15 Messina Centrale | 1h20 | 18:35 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale Veloce 5397 | 17:15 Messina Centrale | 1h20 | 18:35 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12987 | 17:45 Messina Centrale | 1h49 | 19:34 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12987 | 17:45 Messina Centrale | 1h49 | 19:34 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 21692 · Regionale 12989 | 17:48 Fiumara Gazzi | 2h27 | 20:15 Catania Centrale | 1 change | |
Regionale 12989 | 18:30 Messina Centrale | 1h45 | 20:15 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12989 | 18:30 Messina Centrale | 1h45 | 20:15 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12991 | 19:34 Messina Centrale | 1h41 | 21:15 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12991 | 19:34 Messina Centrale | 1h41 | 21:15 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Intercity 727 | 19:58 Messina Centrale | 1h27 | 21:25 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Intercity 727 | 19:58 Messina Centrale | 1h27 | 21:25 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 22117 | 20:15 Messina Centrale | 1h48 | 22:03 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 22117 | 20:15 Messina Centrale | 2h00 | 22:15 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 22117 | 20:15 Messina Centrale | 1h48 | 22:03 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 22117 | 20:15 Messina Centrale | 2h00 | 22:15 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12995 | 22:17 Messina Centrale | 1h45 | 0:02 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12995 | 22:17 Messina Centrale | 1h45 | 0:02 Catania Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12995 | 22:17 Messina Centrale | 1h33 | 23:50 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
Regionale 12995 | 22:17 Messina Centrale | 1h33 | 23:50 Catania Ognina | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach 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.
Trains from Messina to Catania run on average 44 times per day, taking around 1h 32m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £8 but you can travel from only £5 by coach.
There are 33 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:09, the last at 22:20. The fastest train covers the 87 km distance in 1h 23m.
Distance 87 km |
Average train duration 1h 32m |
Cheapest ticket price £8 |
Trains per day 44 |
Direct trains 33 |
Fastest train 1h 23m |
First train 3:09 |
Last train 22:20 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Catania — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Catania trip today.
Civic museum inside Castello Ursino with paintings, archaeology and applied arts. A strong introduction to Catania’s layered past.
Museum devoted to the 1943 Allied landings in Sicily, using documents and immersive displays. Worth visiting for modern military history.
Museum in the former Benedictine monastery displaying Roman and Greek finds from Catania and nearby sites. Compact and historically rich.
Grand central square framed by baroque buildings, the cathedral and the Elephant Fountain. Essential for first-time visitors and evening strolls.
Elegant historic street lined with churches and palaces. It is one of Catania’s most atmospheric walks, especially in the quieter morning hours.
Large civic garden with shaded paths, fountains and varied planting. A pleasant break from the stone city centre and a favourite local promenade.
Crisp fried rice balls filled with ragù, peas and cheese. A Sicilian street food classic, especially iconic in Catania for quick savoury eating.
Pasta alla Norma combines pasta with tomato, fried aubergine, ricotta salata and basil. It is Catania’s signature pasta dish, named after Bellini’s opera.
Horse meat grilled over coals, often served as meatballs or steaks. It is a long-standing Catania speciality, especially linked to informal city grills.
Well-known pastry and café stop for granita, cannoli and Sicilian breakfast sweets, with an elegant yet approachable feel.
Popular trattoria serving classic Sicilian dishes such as Pasta alla Norma and seafood pasta in a relaxed central setting.
Historic seafood restaurant near the fish market, known for fresh local catches and a traditional, lively Catania atmosphere.
Moderate for Sicily: food and local transport are good value, while central stays in peak season can raise costs versus smaller Sicilian towns.
Service is often included or covered by coperto. Round up or leave 5-10% for great restaurant service, round up taxi fares, and small change is enough in cafés.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Messina to Catania by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Catania, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Messina to Catania trains use the Messina Centrale to Catania Centrale station pair. Use this guide to compare Messina and Catania train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Catania, Aeroporto di Catania-Fontanarossa (Capolinea Sais) is 3 km from Catania city centre. Check local transport options before travel.
Catania, Aeroporto di Catania-Fontanarossa (Capolinea Sais) has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at Catania, Aeroporto di Catania-Fontanarossa (Capolinea Sais).
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need