Palermo – Ustica
Ferry to Ustica Island
Palermo – Ustica
Ferry to Ustica Island
You can get a ferry from Palermo to Ustica. Ferries from Palermo to Ustica are available all year round. With around 3 daily and 23 weekly sailings, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Palermo to Ustica first ferry: departs Palermo at 07:00.
Palermo to Ustica last ferry: departs Palermo at around 18:00.
Bear in mind that Palermo Ustica ferry times can vary by season. We recommend checking the latest Palermo to Ustica ferry timetable before you book.
How long the Palermo to Ustica ferry is depends on whether you’re travelling on a Palermo Ustica fast ferry or conventional ferry. The Palermo to Ustica ferry duration is usually around 1 hour 30 minutes on average.
Average Palermo to Ustica ferry time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Fastest ferry: 1 hour 30 minutes
Longest ferry: 3 hours
The fastest ferries from Palermo to Ustica take 1 hour 30 minutes.
Palermo to Ustica ferries are provided by 2 ferry companies; Liberty Lines Fast Ferries & Siremar. There are a combined total of 3 daily and 23 weekly sailings. Bear in mind, the Palermo Ustica ferry timetable can change throughout the seasons, with more options available in the summer months.
Ferry frequency: the Palermo ferry to Ustica runs all year round
Liberty Lines Fast Ferries: 3 daily sailings and 22 weekly sailings
Siremar: 1 daily sailing and 4 weekly sailings
The Palermo to Ustica ferry price can vary depending on the ferry company you're travelling with and the season you're travelling in.
Average Palermo to Ustica ferry cost: £119.52
Palermo to Ustica distance: approximately 40.8 miles (65.7km) or 35 nautical miles.
With an average crossing time of 1 hour 30 minutes, you can do a Palermo to Ustica day trip.
Yes, you can get the ferry from Palermo to Ustica with a car. Although, it's worth bearing in mind that in August, the circulation of motor vehicles is prohibited for non-residents.
Car operators: Siremar
Car prices: usually between £249 and £387
Cheapest car price: around £224
Yes, you can travel as a foot passenger on the Palermo to Ustica ferry.
Palermo Ustica foot passenger ferries: Liberty Lines Fast Ferries & Siremar
Foot passenger price: usually between £59 and £184
Cheapest foot passenger price: around £22
Yes, you can take your camper on the Palermo to Ustica ferry.
Camper prices: usually between £119 and £288
Cheapest camper price: around £87
Here's everything you need to know about taking your pet on the Palermo to Ustica boat.
Pets are allowed on Palermo ferries to Ustica. However, you must let the ferry company know you are travelling with a pet at the time of your booking.
Pet-friendly operators:
Liberty Lines Fast Ferries
Pets are allowed on Palermo ferries to Ustica. However, you must let the ferry company know you are travelling with a pet at the time of your booking.
You will need the following things with you when travelling with your pet on a ferry from Palermo to Ustica.
Liberty Lines Fast Ferries:
Liberty Lines: prices can vary
You can travel with guide dogs and assistance dogs on the boat from Palermo to Ustica. However, you must let the ferry company know at the time of booking. You may also have to present any necessary certificates if asked to do so on board.
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| Palermo - Ustica Route summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Departure Country | Italy | |
| Destination Country | Italy | |
| No. of Operators | 2 | |
| Operators | Liberty Lines Fast Ferries & Siremar | |
| Average Price | £102* | |
| Average Daily Sailings | 2 | |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 13 | |
| Average Sailing Duration | 2h 1m | |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 1h 30m | |
| First Ferry | 07:00 | |
| Last Ferry | 15:30 | |
| Distance | 35 nautical miles | |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 2024-11-05.
The Italian city of Palermo is located in the north west of Sicily, by the Gulf of Palermo in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The city has a reputation across the world for its history, gastronomy, culture and architecture with a its origins dating back over 2,700 years. Many visitors flock to the city and it has become Sicily's main hub for culture, commerce and tourism. The city's centre has many examples of fine palaces and churches which give way to areas whose way of life doesn't seem to have changed for centuries. This is perhaps most evident in the markets in Palermo, whose Arabic origins can still be seen today thanks to the noise, aromas, colours, narrow streets and with the excellent array of produce on offer and the general 'souk's atmosphere.
From the city's port, ferry services operate to destinations include Genoa, with a crossing time of 21 hours, Civitavecchia, 14 hour crossing time, Naples, 10 hours and 30 minutes, and Tunisia, 10 hours. It is recommended that foot passengers check in 1 hour prior to departure and vehicles 2 hours prior to departure. For all departures to Tunisia check in should be 4 hours prior to departure.
The small Italian island of Ustica is located off the north coast of Sicily and boasts spectacular scenery both on land and underwater. The island, which is of volcanic origin, is a national marine park that features petrified black lava and crystal clear waters. Because of this Ustica is a popular destination with scuba divers who flock their to see first hand the submerged ancient city of Osteodos. The island is also a popular destination for overnight visitors as it is easy to get to. Popular attractions on the island include the prehistoric village of the 'Faraglioni' which is a large village with reinforced fortress walls that are about 1 meter high and six meters thick. The village along with 'Omo Morto' shows that during the Bronze Age, around 1450-1250 BC, Ustica benefited from its location along the Obsidian and other trade routes. The walls, built following the construction techniques of Mycenae and dating back to the Middle Bronze Age, are proof of the state of insecurity in which Sicily found itself following the arrival of the Mycenaeans.
You can take a ferry or hydrofoil from Palermo’s Stazione Marittima to Ustica. The crossing takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes by ferry and just over 1 hour by hydrofoil.
We recommend booking in advance to find the cheapest ferry from Palermo to Ustica. Ustica to Ustica ferry prices vary depending on the season you’re travelling in. Most Ustica to Palermo ferry prices are higher in the peak summer months between June to September. Ferries during these months can sell out so if you’re travelling from Palermo to Ustica by boat in summer it’s always best to make your Palermo to Ustica ferry booking in advance. Check out our special offers page for all the latest ferry discounts and to find the cheapest ferry from Palermo to Ustica.
Yes, students can get a 5% discount on Palermo Ustica ferry tickets all year round. Check out our special offers page for more discounts and to get the cheapest Palermo to Ustica ferry booking.
It all depends on the size of the ship but disembarking the ferry can take around 15-45 minutes.
If you're getting the Palermo to Ustica ferry with luggage, then there are certain restrictions that may apply. The amount of luggage you can take on the Palermo to Ustica ferry depends on the ferry company you are travelling with.
Siremar: up to 20kg for free
Liberty Lines Fast Ferries: 1 bag weighing up to 10kg with a maximum size of 60x40x20cm
There are a wide range of facilities available on board the ferry between Palermo and Ustica. These include cafes, restaurants, bars and gift shops. Bear in mind that each ship’s facilities will vary.
The accommodation and seating on the Palermo to Ustica boat differs depending on the ferry company and how long the journey is. Prices are also dependent on the company you travel with and the size of your cabin.
Siremar: Comfortable seating and internal and external cabins
Liberty Lines Fast Ferries: No cabins are available on board. However, there are comfortable airplane type seats and a business class section
Yes, the ferries from Palermo to Ustica are suitable for people with reduced mobility. The exact facilities on board will depend on the ship you’re travelling on. It's best to inform the ferry company at the time of booking to see if they can accommodate any requests.
Siremar: Assistance is available when boarding and disembarking the ship. Cabins with disabled access along with other facilities such as accessible bathrooms are available on some vessels.
Liberty Lines Fast Ferries: Facilities include dedicated seating, call buttons and accessible toilets.
It all depends on the ferry company you are travelling with. In general, we recommend arriving at Palermo port at least 1 hour before departure. However, if you are travelling with a vehicle, it’s best to arrive 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours before departure to allow time for parking. Wherever you’re travelling from, you should allow plenty of time to get to the port in case of traffic.
Your Palermo Ustica tickets will be sent by email. You will then need to check in with the ferry company before you travel and you may receive an additional boarding pass.
The latest check-in time for your Palermo to Ustica ferry booking should be in your confirmation email.
Siremar: you can check in at any time. However, if you are arriving with a vehicle you should arrive at the port at least 2 hours before departure. If you’re travelling with a bicycle or on foot, you can arrive 1 hour before departure
Liberty Lines Fast Ferries: at least 15 minutes before scheduled departure
Yes, parking is available at Palermo ferry port.
By bus: take bus number 139 from Palermo Central train station to the port
By train: you can get a train to Palermo from various destinations in Sicily and then a bus or taxi to the port
By taxi: the port is located around 10 minutes by car from Palermo train station
Ferries to Ustica will take you to Cala Santa Maria, on the northeastern side of the island. Due to its small size, you can easily explore the island on foot. However, you can also rent a scooter or a bike near the port.
If you're travelling by car, standard speed limits in Italy are as follows:
Built-up areas: 50 km/h or 31mph
Outside built-up areas: 90km/h or 55mph
Dual carriageways: 110km/h or 68mph
Motorways: 130km/h or 80mph
