Messina - Lipari
Ferry to Aeolian Islands
Messina - Lipari
Ferry to Aeolian Islands
Fares for the Messina to Lipari crossing usually range somewhere between $54* and $444*. Most travellers pay around $222* for a Messina Lipari ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $54*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $222* on average.
Fares vary according to passenger count, vehicle type, the route itself and what time you sail. Figures come from fares searched in the previous 30 days, don't include service fees, and were last checked September 26.
There's a quick way to stack up ferry fares and operators from around the world side by side, so you can pick the crossing that best suits you. Getting in early tends to open up the widest choice of prices and sailing times.
Direct Ferries has discounts running throughout the year. Where a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied the moment you pick the matching age bracket in the passenger section of your search.
If you're a student or recent graduate, a 5% discount is up for grabs. Head to our partner Student Beans to confirm your status and you'll receive a code to enter at checkout.
A handful of Spanish and Italian ferry routes also offer a resident discount — choose the "Residents" option if it appears during your search and the lower fare is applied straight away. You'll usually need to show proof of address, like a residency card or certificate, when you check in.
Sailings on the Messina Lipari route generally kick off from Messina at around 06:45, and the last departure of the day is usually around 17:50.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Messina and Lipari is better suited to a weekend away or an extended stay, so you get proper value out of the journey.
No, vehicles aren't currently accepted on sailings between Messina and Lipari.
Bicycles aren't currently accepted on sailings between Messina and Lipari.
Yes, Liberty Lines Fast Ferries carries foot passengers between Messina and Lipari.
Pet owners are in luck — Liberty Lines Fast Ferries allows pets on board between Messina and Lipari. Travelling with a pet on this crossing costs an average of $392.
Fares reflect searches from the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last checked September 26.
Before you bring a pet on board, it helps to have the following sorted:
It depends on which operator you're sailing with — some ferries keep pets in your vehicle for the whole trip, while others have dedicated pet areas, kennels, or even pet-friendly cabins. Our Deal Finder lays out the options so you can pick the crossing that works for your pet.
There's a bit to know before travelling with a guide or assistance dog. Let our customer service team know in advance, or mention it to the ferry operator when you book, so everything's arranged ahead of time.
Carry any certification or documentation your dog needs, since you could be asked to show it at boarding or partway through the crossing.
Rules for guide dogs and assistance dogs can differ from general pet policy, even on sailings where pets aren't otherwise allowed. Reach out to our customer service team to check what applies to your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for more detail.
Whether the Messina to Lipari route has an overnight sailing depends on a mix of factors. Search with your travel dates, and we'll show you whether an overnight option exists, plus current timetables, crossing times and daytime alternatives.
Note that overnight sailings can occasionally take a bit longer than daytime crossings.
What you'll need to travel varies by route, so it pays to check ahead of your sailing. A valid passport is typically required for the Messina to Lipari crossing, along with any visa or national ID required for your nationality. As rules depend on both where you're from and where you're headed, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is worth a read to avoid any hold-ups at check-in.
Booking couldn't be simpler — select your departure port, arrival port and travel date to see everything on offer. From there, you can weigh up alternative routes and departure times to land on the best fit.
Look for early-booking deals and flexible fare types, like upgrades or flexi-tickets, which give you room to change plans later. Double-check details such as passenger numbers and vehicle specs as you go, to keep the booking process painless.
You'll get a confirmation email the moment your booking goes through. From there, how your boarding pass turns up depends on the operator.
Some operators send the boarding pass straight away, while others want you to check in at the port. Where it's on offer, online check-in through the Direct Ferries app can save you time at the terminal.
Ticket desks tend to sit right by the ferry terminal. Building in some extra time before you sail means you won't be rushed collecting tickets and getting checked in.
Have your confirmation email and valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — ready at check-in. If a pet's travelling with you, bring their vaccination and insurance papers, and hold onto proof of address if you booked with a resident discount.
A gap in sailings from Messina to Lipari on your chosen date usually comes down to something like a timetable adjustment, limited space, or a seasonal dip in service. Try a different date, or browse other options with our Route & Port finder.
Generally speaking, booking your Messina to Lipari ferry sooner rather than later pays off — earlier bookings usually mean lower fares and more choice of departure times and cabins.
A few weeks' lead time is usually enough to catch a good deal, though fares can still move around depending on the season and what's left available.
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| Messina - Lipari Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $222 | |
| Messina - Lipari Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sicily |
| Destination | Aeolian Islands |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Liberty Lines Fast Ferries |
| Average Price | $222 |
| Average Pet Price | $392 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 2 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 12 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 2 h 35 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 2 h 30 m |
| First Ferry | 06:45 |
| Last Ferry | 17:50 |
| Distance | 40 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
The Italian city of Messina is the capital of, and located in, the Province of Messina and is the third largest city on the island of Sicily. It lies on the Strait of Messina, opposite Villa San Giovanni on the Italian mainland, in the north east of Sicily. The port in Messina is an important economic driver for the city's economy as it is a key component in the city and region's tourist infrastructure. It also supports both commercial and military shipyards. Agriculture is also important in the area and visitors exploring the countryside will often find oranges, lemons, mandarin oranges and olives growing. Since 1548, the city has had a Roman Catholic Archdiocese and Archimandrite seat and is home to the University of Messina which was also founded in 1548.
The city's port offers passengers ferry services across the Strait of Messina to the ports of Villa San Giovanni and Reggio Calabria in Calabria. There is also a longer crossing to Salerno, which is to the south of the city of Naples. Most ferries that arrive in Messina dock at either the Messina Marittima/Bluvia dock or at the Molo Norimberga docks on Via San Ranieri. Occasionally some ferries will dock at the Rada San Francesco di Paola I docks on the northern edge of the town.
Lipari is an Italian island and the largest of the Aeolian Islands, which is a volcanic archipelago located off the coast of Sicily. The island's largest town is also called Lipari, which is also the largest town in the archipelago, and is full of life with its harbour, historic castle-citadel and charming streets just waiting to be explored. Just like the other islands in the archipelago, Lipari has volcanic origins although the last eruption that occurred on the island was around 1,400 years ago, although there are some thermal springs and fumaroles on the island. Because of the fast ferry connections to and from Sicily and to the other Aeolian Islands, it is a great base from which to explore the other islands in the archipelago.
Lipari town is a great place to wander around and has some fine town houses to see that sit alongside more humble houses that tend to have balconies with full of flowers, washing and onions and peppers! There are Greek tombs located in parkland but the most impressive site in the town is the castle which is located on a headland and is the heart of the town that was once located on the site.
