Getting to the Aeolian Islands: Ferries, Flights & Cruise Options

The Aeolian Islands have no airport, but sea connections from the coasts of Sicily, Calabria and Campania are numerous and frequent.

To reach the Aeolians, you will necessarily need to take a ferry or hydrofoil. Below you will find all ferry and hydrofoil connections and the airports nearest to the main embarkation ports. For connections between the islands, please refer to the page Getting around the Aeolian Islands.

Cruises to the Aeolian Islands

If you’re in Sicily and looking for an excursion that will leave a lasting impression, a day at the Aeolian Islands is exactly what you need. This volcanic archipelago north of the Messina coast is among the most spectacular places in the Mediterranean, and seeing it from the sea is a completely different experience from arriving by ferry.

Boat excursions departing from the Sicilian coast take you around islands with completely different characteristics: the majestic lava flow of Stromboli, the sulphurous mud of Vulcano, the hidden coves of Salina. Swimming stops in crystal-clear volcanic waters, seabeds teeming with marine life and the dramatic outline of the islands on the horizon make these excursions something scarcely comparable to any other beach experience. Take a whole day: you won’t regret it.

Ferries to the Aeolian Islands from Sicily

Milazzo is the main departure port for the Aeolians with several vessels departing daily all year round. Internal connections between the islands are managed by hydrofoil by the shipping companies Ustica Lines and Siremar. The shipping companies Siremar and Ngi offer various ferry crossings to the Aeolian Archipelago. Most ferries dock first at Lipari and then continue to the other islands.

If you intend to bring your car, bear in mind that only Lipari, Vulcano, Salina and Filicudi have suitable road infrastructure.

Also note that the ferry crossing from Milazzo to Vulcano takes one hour, whilst reaching Stromboli or Alicudi takes two and a half hours.

We recommend booking well in advance your means of transport to reach the Aeolians during the period from July to September.

Ferries to the Aeolian Islands from Italy

The Aeolian Islands are also accessible from the ports of Naples, Salerno, Reggio Calabria and Vibo Valentia, without first transiting through Sicily; although the journey takes longer, you will certainly save time if you don’t intend to spend a few days in Sicily.

Hydrofoils to the Aeolian Islands

In addition to ferries, several companies offer hydrofoil services. Hydrofoils are light and fast vessels that allow only passenger transport but not vehicles.

The shipping companies Siremar and Ustica Lines connect the ports of Milazzo, Cefalù, Messina, Palermo and Reggio Calabria with the Aeolian Islands. From Naples port, hydrofoils depart from the companies Siremar, Snav and Alilauro. As an example, the hydrofoil crossing from Milazzo to Vulcano takes 40 minutes, whilst to Stromboli and Alicudi, the more distant islands, it takes 2 hours.

Useful airports for the Aeolian Islands

The Aeolians do not have their own airport served by scheduled flights, but several airports offer excellent connections with ports from which hydrofoils and ferries to the islands depart. The most convenient airports are those in Catania, Reggio Calabria, Palermo and Naples.

Catania airport is 2 hours from Milazzo port, the main access point to the Aeolians, and from the 1st of April to the 30th of September, a bus connection is available in conjunction with the hydrofoil or ferry to Lipari, Vulcano and Salina.

Reggio Calabria airport, also known as the Strait Airport, is the closest to the Aeolians. The airport is one and a half hours from Milazzo port and just over an hour from Messina port, including the crossing of the strait. Some hydrofoils to the Aeolians also depart from Reggio Calabria port, just 10 kilometres from the airport, easily reached by taxi.

Palermo airport is 2 and a half hours from Milazzo port. Additionally, from mid-June, the shipping company Ustica Lines connects Palermo port to Lipari, the main transport hub of the archipelago, by hydrofoil.

Naples airport is just 9 kilometres from the Neapolitan port, from where hydrofoils of the Snav shipping company depart. From May to September you can reach Stromboli, Panarea, Salina, Vulcano and Lipari.

Reaching the Aeolian Islands by helicopter

The fastest way to reach the Aeolians is by helicopter. Air Panarea manages helicopter transfers between the islands of the archipelago and various cities in Sicily, including Catania, Taormina, Ragusa and Palermo, and in Italy, such as Rome, Naples and Salerno.

The Dedalus company offers connections with airports in southern Italy, allowing you to reach any destination in very quick times.

Travelling by helicopter will also allow you to observe the charm of the Aeolians from an unprecedented perspective. There are several departure airports.