Ferry from Milazzo to the Aeolian Islands
Milazzo is the usual departure port on Sicily for the Aeolian Islands. Liberty Lines runs fast boats that carry passengers only. Siremar, part of Caronte & Tourist Isole Minori, runs conventional ferries and takes cars, motorcycles and campers. The two companies serve different islands at different times, and not every sailing calls at every island. Always match your sailing to the timetable that is valid on your date.
Lipari and Vulcano are the first stops on the Siremar circuit shown below. Stromboli is a long trip, about 6 hours on that circuit, and tour operators also sell it as a night cruise. See the Stromboli guide for the island itself, and the Aeolian Islands overview for the islands as a group.
Liberty Lines and Siremar compared
The rules each company publishes, side by side.
| Liberty Lines | Siremar | |
|---|---|---|
| Boats | Fast passenger boats | Conventional ferries |
| Vehicles | No vehicle garage; ordinary bicycles not accepted, folding bikes on special terms | Cars, motorcycles and campers |
| Islands from Milazzo (October 2026) | Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Filicudi, Alicudi, Panarea, Ginostra, Stromboli | Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Filicudi, Alicudi, Panarea, Ginostra, Stromboli, on specific circuits |
| Be there before departure | 15 minutes, with an online ticket you go straight to boarding | 30 minutes on foot, 60 minutes with a vehicle |
| Hand luggage | 1 piece up to 10 kg and 60 x 40 x 20 cm; extra bags need an extra luggage ticket | 20 kg free on the smaller Sicilian islands, 10 kg for half-fare children under 12 |
| Current plan | From 1 October 2026 | 1 to 31 October 2026 |
Fares are not listed here because each company calculates the price in its own booking system, by date, age group and port fees. Use the booking page for the final amount.
Our picks: by boat to the Aeolian Islands
Guided boat trips from Milazzo harbour, as an alternative to the regular ferry.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Sunset cruise to Panarea and Stromboli
A full-day boat tour with an accompanying guide. The Aeolian Islands eco tax is not included.
Check availability →Night boat trip to Panarea and Stromboli
Ten hours by boat with the Aeolian Islands landing fee and an onboard guide. A guide on the islands is not included.
Check availability →
Day trip to Lipari and Vulcano by boat
Eight hours with transfers, the boat tour and island docking fees. The Lipari museum entry and lunch are extra.
Check availability →Boat trips from Milazzo
If you prefer a ready-made day, these trips to the Aeolian Islands include the boat, with live prices and availability.
Milazzo to Lipari: times and journey
What the October 2026 plans show.
The Liberty Lines plan valid from 1 October 2026 lists departures to Lipari at 07:30, 08:30, 10:30, 12:30, 13:30, 15:00, 15:30, 17:15 and 19:15. Some further sailings run only on certain weekdays, so read the footnotes of the plan. The plan also carries a note that changes are possible. One listed 07:30 sailing on 19 October 2026 took 65 minutes; other sailings, especially early ones, take longer.
Siremar runs longer circuits. In its October plan, the sailing numbered C/1 leaves Milazzo at 14:30 on Mondays and Thursdays and calls at several islands on the way to Stromboli.
| Port | Time | From Milazzo |
|---|---|---|
| Milazzo | 14:30 | – |
| Vulcano | 16:00 | 1 h 30 min |
| Lipari | 16:35 | 2 h 05 min |
| Panarea | 19:05 | 4 h 35 min |
| Ginostra | 20:00 | 5 h 30 min |
| Stromboli | 20:30 | 6 h |
This is one circuit, not the length of every ferry. For a day trip, a morning fast boat is the realistic option, and you should look at the return sailings before you buy.
Tickets, children and cancellation
The rules that apply once you have a booking.
Identity documents
On Siremar all passengers need valid identification, including children and babies. Bring it for any island trip.
Children on Liberty Lines
Children aged 0 to 3 travel free on Sicily and Calabria routes but still need an ordinary ticket and have no right to a seat. Ages 4 to 11 pay a reduced fare, and taxes or surcharges may come on top.
Cancelling on Siremar
According to the conditions of carriage, 10% is deducted if you cancel up to 24 hours before departure, and 25% in the last 24 hours until 30 minutes before. Booking fees are not refunded.
Tariff changes
Siremar published a new ordinary tariff valid from 10 September 2026. Quotes from before that date may be out of date.
Last-minute checks
Liberty Lines runs a live departures page for sailings in the next 6 hours. It helps on the day, but it does not replace the timetable, and weather can change sailings.
Parking near the port
If you drive to Milazzo and leave the car behind.
A private garage on Viale A. Gramsci 51 lists these daily prices: €15 for a covered car, €9 for a car in the open, €7 for a motorcycle, €35 for a camper and €50 for a bus. It opens daily from 05:30 to 21:30 and offers a free shuttle for covered cars. The city also opened a car park on Via Impallomeni with 81 spaces in March 2026; it started with 1 hour free with a parking disc, and a later switch to an expected €0.80 per hour was announced. Check the signs on site.
Siremar's check-in with a vehicle starts 60 minutes before departure, so plan the last stretch with that in mind. The transport guide covers buses, trains and parking in more detail: getting to Milazzo.
More from Milazzo
What to do around your sailing.
Aeolian Islands ferry: frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Milazzo to Lipari?
A listed fast boat at 07:30 on 19 October 2026 took 65 minutes. On the Siremar circuit above, the ferry reaches Lipari 2 hours 5 minutes after leaving Milazzo.
Which company should I choose?
Choose Liberty Lines for fast passenger crossings and Siremar if you need to take a car, motorcycle or camper, or if its circuit fits your day. Compare the sailings that suit your dates.
Can I take my car to the islands?
Siremar carries cars, motorcycles and campers on its conventional ferries; Liberty Lines does not. Check the vehicle rules of the island you visit before you book.
How much luggage can I take?
Liberty Lines allows one hand luggage piece up to 10 kg and 60 x 40 x 20 cm. Siremar allows 20 kg free for the small Sicilian islands. Extra bags may need an extra ticket.
Is there a winter timetable?
The current plans cover October 2026. Plans change by season, so check the operator's page for the dates of your trip.