The view through the rear door of the IC train to Sicily

Roma / Rome to Catania by train

How to take the uniquely fabulous railway journey from Rome/Roma to Catania

When heading to wonderful Sicily from the Italian capital by train, travellers can choose to make the beautiful coastal journey by day, or travel through the night

Europe's last remaining train ferry service is used by both the day and night trains, as they cross from the Italian mainland to the island of Sicily, so taking this route is an unforgettable experience.

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Routes

Option 1: travelling by day

Journey Summary

Travel Time
9hr 53 - 10hr
Frequency
Daily
Travel Information

Final Destination: Siracusa

The trains also call at: Messina and Taormina

The Intercity train will be loaded on to a train ferry for the sea crossing to Sicily at Villa S. Giovannni, the ticket price includes the ferry crossing.
For the 35-40 min sea crossing you can leave the train, after it has been loaded on board the board and travel on the passenger deck on the ferry.

The air-conditioning etc will be disconnected when the engine is separated from the train on arrival at Villa San Giovanni; so in summer temperatures on the train will rise while it is on board the ferry.
There are some lovely views from the outside deck.

2 x trains per day

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

**Online bookings usually open:**up 4 months ahead of the travel date; though this period of time can be shorter, particularly when searching for journeys for travel after the second Sundays in December and June.
When looking up this journey prior to these dates, tickets may not be available until around a month ahead of the travel date.

These Intercity trains to Catania are usually scheduled to depart from Roma Termini at around 07:26 and 11:26

If you use the 'other search options' link on the Trenitalia home page, you can access the 'solutions without changing' facility, which will make these direct trains easier to find.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Italia rail from €24 approx

Italia rail Guide

Italiarail lives up to its name by selling tickets for rail journeys within Italy and the core feature of its service is that it is primarily designed to be used by international visitors to Italy.
So the English translations of place names are used when looking up journeys and the terms and conditions for using each type of ticket are clearly explained.
It also clearly points out the additional costs of upgrading to other classes and types of tickets while spelling out the additional benefits of doing so.
Though Italiarail will charge a booking fee, typically of around €3.

The Early Bird service

Italiarail has launched an 'early bird' pre-booking service for journeys by Frecce trains.
Tickets can be booked up to a year ahead of travel at a flat-rate price per route, before the tickets have been released for sale by Trenitalia.
If when they are placed on sale, the price is cheaper than what you have already paid to Italiarail, it will automatically refund the price difference.
Conversely, if the price is more expensive, you won't be charged the price difference.
You can also have the peace of mind of securing your seat(s) on the Frecce train(s) when you are first planning a trip.
If before the tickets are placed on sale, you decide to change your plans, you can request a refund; but once the tickets are released for sale, you will then be bound by the terms and conditions of the ticket(s) you have booked.

Trenitalia from €24 approx

Trenitalia Guide

Trenitlalia is the national rail operator in Italy and in addition to its cheaper types of ticket; it also typically offers other discounts available to non-Italians, which include:

  • Group Offers, provides for a discount of up to 50% when 3-5 Adults travel together.
  • Family Offer for when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 11 and under.
  • The Children Free Offer is available for journeys by Frecce trains, when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 15 and under.
    Those aged 15 and under travel for free, but the Adults will need to purchase full price 'Base' tickets.

On this journey

Journey Features

Scenic - YesCoastal viewsNot High Speed

Good to Know

The coaches heading to Catania and Siracusa are attached to coaches heading to Palermo for the journey between Roma and Messina.
If you only see Palermo on the electronic departure displays at Roma then this is the train to take.

There's no need to worry if you will be joining the correct part of the train; the coach/carrozza number on your ticket will be one of the coaches heading to Catania.

Take food and drink with you on this journey, there are no on-board catering facilities available on Intercity trains.

Journey Description

Step on board and experience one of Europe's most beautiful and fascinating 'train' journeys.

So fabulous that the part of the journey south of Napoli/Naples, which equates to 90% of the trip, has been included on The Guardian's pick of the world's best rail journeys.

The train will be loaded on to Europe's last remaining train ferry for the sea crossing to Sicily.

There are great coastal views for much of the train journey, particularly if you take the first train of the day from Roma.

Between Napoli and Villa San Giovanni the views will be on the right; when facing the direction of travel...

... while between Messina and Taormina the sea views views are on the left.

The train will reverse direction on departure from Napoli.

The view through the rear door of the IC train to Sicily The view through the rear door of the IC train to Sicily
The IC trains to Sicily spend hours of the journey by the shore The IC trains to Sicily spend hours of the journey by the shore
Our seats were on the left, hence the views through the rear door Our seats were on the left, hence the views through the rear door
South of Lamezia Terme, the railway line is on a cliff looking down on the shore South of Lamezia Terme, the railway line is on a cliff looking down on the shore
The IC train to Sicily being loaded on to the ferry The IC train to Sicily being loaded on to the ferry
The coastal views switch to the left south of Messina The coastal views switch to the left south of Messina
Some of the best scenery is to the north of Taormina Some of the best scenery is to the north of Taormina

Option 2: travelling overnight

Journey Summary

Travel Time
11hr 10min
Frequency
Nightly
Travel Information

Final Destination: Siracusa

The train also calls at: Messina and Taormina

This train is typically schedule to depart Roma/Rome at 23:00 and arrive in Catania at 10:10.

1 x train per night

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: 3 months ahead of the travel date - usually

See the 'Train Guide' below for the type of accommodation available and the how tickets can be booked,

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Trenitalia *

Trenitalia Guide

Trenitlalia is the national rail operator in Italy and in addition to its cheaper types of ticket; it also typically offers other discounts available to non-Italians, which include:

  • Group Offers, provides for a discount of up to 50% when 3-5 Adults travel together.
  • Family Offer for when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 11 and under.
  • The Children Free Offer is available for journeys by Frecce trains, when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 15 and under.
    Those aged 15 and under travel for free, but the Adults will need to purchase full price 'Base' tickets.

On this journey

Journey Features

NightScenic - YesCoastal views

Good to Know

The coaches heading to Catania and Siracusa are attached to coaches heading to Palermo for the journey between Roma and Messina.
If you only see Palermo on the electronic departure displays at Roma then this is the train to take.

There's no need to worry if you will be joining the correct part of the train; the coach/carrozza number on your ticket will be one of the coaches heading to Catania.
Attendants will also greet all passengers on the platform and show you where to board.

Journey description:

The overnight part of the journey is that between Roma and Villa S. Giovanni, the port at which the train is loaded on to the ferry for the crossing to Sicily.

The train is due into Villa S. Giovanni at around 06:45 so the manoeuvring of the train, will invariably function as an alarm call, for those not wearing ear plugs.

In the summer the air-conditioning is disconnected when the train arrives at Villa S. Giovanni, but once the train is on the board, it's possible to escape the heat of the train and head up to the deck on the boat.

The train will be due to depart Messina at 08:45 and between there and Taormina, much of the journey is by the shoreline, so these stunning views from the left-hand side of the train can be enjoyed year-round.

The wonderful views to the north of Taormina The wonderful views to the north of Taormina
The coastal vistas near journey's end are extraordinary The coastal vistas near journey's end are extraordinary
The train will travel along the coast after 09:00 The train will travel along the coast after 09:00
Traveling by the beach to the south of Messina Traveling by the beach to the south of Messina
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