How to get there?
The Aeolian Islands are connected to the mainland, in order of distance, through the ports of Milazzo, Messina, Palermo and Naples.
By plane: Lamezia, Catania and Reggio Calabria airports are the nearest airports. Other airports close enough are Trapani, Palermo and Naples. The choice of airport depends on the airport-island you want to visit. For Panarea and Stromboli it is ok to fly to Naples and then take the hydrofoil. It is also possible to fly to Reggio Calabria and take the last afternoon hydrofoil to the Aeolian islands and Panarea and Stromboli. For Alicudi and Filicudi it is recommendable to land in Palermo or Trapani and take the hydrofoil from Palermo. For Lipari, Salina and Vulcano it is ok to land in Catania. Landing at Catania airport you have several options to go to the Aeolian islands. We recommend to book a private car or a shuttle that will take you to the hydrofoil/boat at Milazzo. The last departure for the islands is by boat at 22.00. From the airports of Catania and Reggio Calabria you can also reach the Aeolian Islands by helicopter.
By Train: The nearest railway station is at Milazzo. Trains arrive and depart from the main Italian cities.
By Car/Motorcycle: We recommend not to bring the car in August. Tourists can land their car and motorcycle on the islands only if staying at least a week. If you would like to bring your car or motorcycle with you, let us know in time so we can send you the obligatory boarding document.
By Sea: The Aeolian Islands can be reached easily by boat or hydrofoil from the ports of Milazzo, Messina, Palermo and Naples. Milazzo is the nearest port from which you have hydrofoil departures every hour during daylight and several boat departures. Cars and motorcycles can embark from the port of Milazzo and Naples. Naples is the nearest port for those who come from northern and central Italy. Two hydrofoils departs daily from Naple while there are boats only two days every week.
Trip duration
We list here the various routes and travel times for ships-ferries / hydrofoils in hours.minutes.
| Route | Ship ferry / hydrofoil |
| Napoli – Stromboli | 8 h / 4 h 30 min |
| Napoli – Panarea | 9 h / 5 h |
| Napoli – Salina Lipari Vulcano | 12-14 h / 6-8 h |
| Palermo – Alicudi | 2 h 30 min |
| Palermo – Filicudi | 3 h |
| Palermo – Salina / Lipari / Vulcano | 4-5 h |
| Milazzo – Volcano | 1,5 h / 45 min |
| Milazzo – Lipari | 2 h / 1 h |
| Milazzo – Salina | 2 h 45 min / 1 h 30 min |
| Milazzo – Panarea | 3 h 45 min / 2 h |
| Milazzo – Stromboli | 4 h 15 min / 2 h 30 min |
| Milazzo – Filicudi | 3 h 30 min / 2 h |
| Milazzo Alicudi | 4 h 30 min / 2 h 30 min |
| Only with hydrofoil | |
| Reggio Calabria – Vulcano | 1 h 30 min |
| Reggio Calabria – Lipari | 1 h 40 min |
| Reggio Calabria – Salina | 2 h |
| Reggio Calabria – Stromboli / Panarea | 1 h 30 min |
Private car or shuttle bus helicopter trip length and average cost
Airport of Catania – Milazzo 1 h 30 min. Cost of chauffeur € 130.00 1 to 4 people
Airport of Catania – Milazzo 2 h. From 10 to 30 € per person
Airport of Catania – Lipari / Vulcano / Salina / (hel) Panarea: 45 min. Total cost of flight: € 2,200.00 (1 to 6 people)
Reggio Calabria Airport – Lipari / Vulcano / Salina / (hel) Panarea: 25 min. € 200.00 per person
Information and reservations
Shipping Companies
Hydrofoils: SIREMAR (www.siremar.it), Ustica Lines (www.usticalines.it), Naples: SNAV (www.snav.com)
Ferry: SIREMAR (www.siremar.it), NGI (www.ngi-spa.it), Naples: SIREMAR,
Airlines: Wind Jet, Air Malta, Lufthansa, Alitalia, Meridiana, Air One
Shuttle service – Airport Catania – Milazzo – Catania Airport
The shuttle service, linking the ‘Airport Catania and Milazzo, is performed at predetermined times or every hour, with costs per person vary according to type of service.
Transfer service is offered direct from the Executive Bus: +39 090673782 www.giuntabus.com
Taranto Navigation: +390909223617 – Fax +39 0909285210 www.eolianshuttle.it
Garage delle Isole: +39 0909286986 +39 0909288585 – Fax +39 0909227733 www.garagedelleisole.it
Helicopter Service
Air-Panarea: +39 330493799 – +39 3479719324 www.airpanarea.com
Icarus Helicopters: +39 096853737 – Fax +39 0968.53963 – Mobile: +39 3471007649 www.elicotteri-icarus.it
Airports: