
A short hop from mainland Sicily, the Aeolian Islands are an idyllic cluster of seven volcanic islands ranging from tiny Alicudi to Lipari, the biggest and busiest of the islands. Getting to the Aeolian islands is fairly straightforward but to ensure your trip is as stress free as possible, it’s certainly worth doing some Aeolian Island travel information research beforehand, particularly if you’re visiting in the quieter months of May, September and October when ferry and hydrofoil services may be less frequent.
If you’re planning on stopping off at several islands, you’ll also need to work out how to get from one island to another, as well as how to get around each island. Do your homework before you go – or give us a call to do it for you! – to make sure you get the very most from your Aeolian hopping itinerary.

Getting to the Aeolian Islands
Frequent ferries and hydrofoils run from the Sicilian ports of Milazzo (the nearest port to the islands) and to a lesser extent from Messina, as well as Reggio di Calabria and Vibo Valentia on the mainland. Hydrofoils are faster, taking around a third of the time taken by ferries.
You can also get to the islands from Naples, taking you on a thrilling journey from Vesuvius to Stromboli! Book a cabin, have dinner in the restaurant and wake up to unobstructed views of the islands and the mighty Stromboli Volcano.

Air travel isn’t an option, apart from a helicopter service that runs during high season from Catania airport. There’s a helicopter landing pad on all the islands mainly for emergency services.
How to get to Milazzo
If you’re arriving at Catania airport, or travelling round Sicily and ending up in Catania, then Milazzo is the most convenient departure point for the Aeolian Islands. While it is also possible to travel directly from Catania airport to Messina, Milazzo is the closest port to the Aeolian Islands.
Two bus services run directly from Catania airport to Milazzo port – the small mini bus service run by alibrando.net (which can also be booked for private transfers) and the larger bus service run by giuntabus.com. Journey time is around 2 hours and schedules are fixed to coincide with hydrofoil departure times. Tickets can be booked online or purchased at the airport. If you prefer not to use public transport, taxi and chauffeur services are also available from Catania airport but you should expect to pay upwards of €200.
For anyone travelling from Palermo, you can catch the train directly to Milazzo or ask us about private transfers along Sicily’s north coast.
Sea crossing from Milazzo
Once you’re at the port, the quickest way of getting to the Aeolian Islands from Milazzo for foot passengers is by hydrofoil. These crossings take from 45 minutes to a couple of hours from Milazzo, compared to at least double the time by ferry. Tickets do sell out, particularly in peak season and on public holidays, so it’s a good idea to book your tickets with Liberty Lines a couple of days before departure. Do bear in mind that you need to pay extra for large luggage items and may be stopped from boarding if you haven’t done so.
Hydrofoil crossings are frequent in summer and spring, and slightly reduced in winter and autumn. Liberty Lines’ daily hydrofoil connections to the nearer islands, such as Lipari and Vulcano, run from 0630 to 1930 in high season, and from 0700 to 1910 in low season. However, schedules can change several times during the season so check timings carefully for your specific dates.
Although it takes longer, travelling by ferry is a good option if you miss a hydrofoil connection and can be a pleasant alternative if you sit on the top deck. Siremar runs daily crossings.
Sea crossing from Messina and Palermo
Daily hydrofoil connections run from Messina to the Aeolian Islands between 0700 and 1830 in high season, with a daily connection at 1400 in low season, except on Saturday. Liberty Lines also operates daily hydrofoil connections between Palermo and the Aeolian Islands between June and September only. The journey takes up to 4 hours from Palermo depending on which island you’re travelling to. The first islands on route are the remote islands of Alicudi and Filicudi. Bring a jumper or something cosy to wear because even in the height of summer, the air-conditioning on this route can be fierce.
Aeolian Island hopping
Given the relative ease of getting from one island to another, it’s definitely worth taking in two or three of the Aeolian Islands. They’re all quite different from one another, each with their own character and individual features. Many hydrofoil and ferry crossings stop at Lipari making it a good base for an island hopping trip, while Salina is at the centre of the archipelago.
Planning your route
If you’re new to the islands, you’ll need to work out your route and get travel information on ferry timings. Depending on the number of islands you want to visit, and how long you want to spend in each one, we often recommend one of three options: Vulcano-Lipari-Salina, Lipari-Vulcano-Salina-Filicudi or Salina-Lipari-Panarea-Filicudi. All of these islands operate tourist boats to see the night time eruptions on the Stromboli volcano.
Relying solely on ferries and hydrofoils will get you round the islands, but they can get busy in peak season, so it’s always best to book your tickets in advance. We also recommend using a tourist boat or water taxi occasionally, particularly if you’re looking for a more personal touch – or a special experience. We work closely with local fishermen and boat captains who run private taxi services, providing a glimpse into local life.
If you’re planning on moving around the Aeolian Islands in the evening, be aware that the last hydrofoil is at 9pm at the height of the summer, and earlier than this on the more remote islands. If you do get stuck, your fall back is a slow boat that leaves Milazzo every evening at 9pm and does a slow crawl around the islands, stopping on Lipari at 2am, and then continuing to Vulcano and back to Milazzo. Buy your tickets at the port.
Getting around on the Aeolian Islands
Leave the car behind
On most of the Aeolian Islands, we recommend leaving the car behind and travelling on hydrofoils as a foot passenger. In fact, several of the islands are completely car free. You’ll find taxis on Vulcano, Lipari and Salina and we work closely with several taxi drivers. On Panarea and Stromboli, most people get around on foot or using golf carts, electric vehicles and scooters, while on the island of Alicudi, donkeys are still used for transporting goods.

Local bus networks on the islands
Public buses are also an option. Local bus networks, such as URSO in Lipari and CITIS in Salina, cover much of the island and offer an economical way to get around. In Vulcano, the Scaffidi Bus service offers year round connections between Porto di Levante and Porto di Ponente, Piano and Capo Grillo, and in summer (mid-June to mid-September), buses also run to Gelso. Buy your tickets on the bus.
Travel by bike and scooter
Bike and scooter rental are a flexible way to get around wherever you are. Nevertheless, the Aeolian Islands are often best appreciated by boat. For example, a ferry service links the port of Stromboli with the tiny hamlet of Ginostra, or private boat transfers will whisk you between the two.
Of course, if you prefer to hand over the planning to someone else, we can organise each element of your journey and advise on the best route round the islands. We’ll arrange transfers, taxis and tours with our trusted friends on the island who, as well as getting you safely to your destination, will open your eyes to what makes these islands so magical.
Helpful tips regarding travel information on the Aeolian Islands
It’s not unusual to find several hydrofoils in the port at any one time which can cause the odd panic regarding getting on the right one! In fact, the name of the hydrofoil is always on your ticket, which should avoid any confusion.

Salina and Stromboli both have 2 stops. On Salina, the main town and most popular disembarkation point is Santa Marina, with Rinella as an alternative. On Stromboli, the two ports are Stromboli and Ginostra. Not all ferries stop at both, so it’s worth checking before you board if you specifically want to go to Ginostra.
