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Roma / Rome to Villa S. Giovanni by train

How to take a rail journey from Rome/Roma to Villa S. Giovanni and connect into the fast ferries to Sicily

There are two options for taking a 'train' from Rome to Sicily.
(1) Taking the IC and ICN trains which get loaded on a train ferry, so that they continue their journeys on from Messina to Palermo and Siracusa.
(2) Taking a train to the port town of Villa San Giovanni and connecting there for a fast ferry to Messina.

The day and night trains which take the ferry call at Villa S. Giovanni, but trains heading to Reggio di Calabria also call there.
It is these trains heading to Reggio di Calabria, which all have good advertised connections, at Villa S. Giovanni into the fast ferries on to Messina.

However, as will be seen from the options below, there is a wide choice of train services which operate on the route to Reggio di Calabria.
So when looking up a trip on the booking websites factor in the journey time as well as the ticket price.
The longer the rail travel journey time, the cheaper the tickets are likely to be.

The journey times below are for the rail journey from Rome to Villa S. Giovanni, but the end-to-end journey times to Messina are also dependent on the ferry connections, which can range from 10 mins to around an hour.
So look out for the end-to-end journey times, using a combination of the train and ferry timetable (see the links below).
Paying a more expensive price to travel on a faster train, won't be such good value for money if you then have to spend 45mins or more, awaiting the departure of the ferry.

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Routes

Option 1: taking the Frecciargento trains

Journey Summary

From
Roma / Rome
The stunning roof over the front hall at Roma Termini
Roma Termini Rail Station Guide
To
Villa S. Giovanni (for fast ferries to Sicily)
The station in Villa S.Giovanni adjacent to the ferry terminal
Villa S. Giovanni Rail Station Guide
Travel Time
4hr 50min - 5hr 5min
Frequency
Daily
Travel Information

Final Destination: Reggio di Calabria

All trains also call at: Paola and Lamezia Terme

These trains do NOT reverse direction during the journey as they do not call at Napoli Centrale.

The older tilting type of Frecciargento train are used on this route.

4 x trains per day

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings usually open: 4 months ahead of the travel date; though this period of time can be shorter, particularly when searching for journeys more than three months ahead during October and March.

The high speed train (AV) service between Roma and Villa S. Giovanni provided by:

(1) these Frecciagento and Frecciarossa trains operated by Trenitalia
(2) alternative Italo trains

Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale around 4 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are made available around 5 months ahead.

Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains - and Italo does not sell tickets for these Trenitalia trains.

Trenitalia now offers bookings which include both the train and the ferry.

Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.

If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce and Italo trains can be directly compared on Trainline or Omio, though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.

Alternative money saving options:

You can usually save money by avoiding the high speed trains when travelling from Rome to Villa S. Giovanni

When the cheapest 'Super Economy' tickets are still available on the alternative Intercity (IC) trains those trains are usually the cheapest option of all.
Though if you want to compare the price of the Intercity trains with both these Frecce trains AND the Italo trains, you will need to look up the journey on Omio or Trainline.

Rail Pass Users:

If you will be travelling with a valid Eurail or InterRail pass, you will need to reserve prior to boarding these trains, either at the station (using a Trenitalia ticket machine or ticket desk) OR by booking them online.

How to book the rail pass reservations online is included on our guide to using rail passes in Italy.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Italia rail *

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 *

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.
Trainline *

Trainline Guide

Omio *

Omio Guide

Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.

The three key advantages of using Omio are

  • it offers prices in multiple currencies
  • it usually offers price comparison with other modes of travel including flights and buses
  • when visiting Europe, you can book journeys in multiple countries in one transaction.

The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.

Save A Train *

Save A Train Guide

On this journey

Travelling On

Journey Features

Scenic - YesHigh Speed (partial journey)Coastal views

Good to Know

Connecting to the Blu Jet fast ferries:

At Villa S. Giovanni station a straightforward transfer is available into the fast ferries operated by Blu Jet, which take just 20 minutes to make the sea crossing to Messina.

Heading south from Salerno Heading south from Salerno
For more than an hour the railway is close to the shore For more than an hour the railway is close to the shore
The views of the beaches are on the right The views of the beaches are on the right
The view inland on the left has its moments The view inland on the left has its moments
For much of the final hour you can look down on the coast For much of the final hour you can look down on the coast

Step on board and experience one of Europe's most beautiful coastal 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.

There are great coastal views for much of the train journey south of Napoli if you are sat on the right (when facing the direction of travel).

These trains will not reverse direction on departure from Napoli.

Option 2: taking the Frecciarossa trains

Journey Summary

From
Roma / Rome
The stunning roof over the front hall at Roma Termini
Roma Termini Rail Station Guide
To
Villa S. Giovanni (for fast ferries to Sicily)
The station in Villa S.Giovanni adjacent to the ferry terminal
Villa S. Giovanni Rail Station Guide
Travel Time
4hr 50min - 5hr 50min (approx)
Frequency
Daily
Travel Information

Final Destination: Reggio di Calabria

All trains also call at: Paola and Lamezia Terme

These Frecciariossa trains are the most comfortable option for the rail journey from Roma to Villa S. Giovanni

3 x trains per day

Tickets

Book early and save:** Yes

Online bookings usually open: 4 months ahead of the travel date; though this period of time can be shorter, particularly when searching for journeys more than three months ahead during October and March.

The high speed train (AV) service between Roma and Villa S. Giovanni provided by:

(1) these Frecciarossa trains, as well as other Frecciargento trains operated by Trenitalia
(2) alternative Italo trains

Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale around 4 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are made available around 5 months ahead.

Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains - and Italo does not sell tickets for these Trenitalia trains.

Trenitalia now offers bookings which **include both the train and the ferry**.

Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.

If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce and Italo trains can be directly compared on Trainline or Omio, though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.

Alternative money saving options:

You can usually save money by avoiding the high speed trains when travelling from Rome to Villa S. Giovanni

When the cheapest 'Super Economy' tickets are still available on the alternative Intercity (IC) trains those trains are usually the cheapest option of all.
Though if you want to compare the price of the Intercity trains with both these Frecce trains AND the Italo trains, you will need to look up the journey on Omio or Trainline.

Rail Pass Users:

If you will be travelling with a valid Eurail or InterRail pass, you will need to reserve prior to boarding these trains, either at the station (using a Trenitalia ticket machine or ticket desk) OR by booking them online.

How to book the rail pass reservations online is included on our guide to using rail passes in Italy.

If you have a First Class pass, SMTJ's recommendation is to target these trains and not the Frecciargento trains

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.
Italia rail *

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.

Trainline *

Trainline Guide

Omio *

Omio Guide

Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.

The three key advantages of using Omio are

  • it offers prices in multiple currencies
  • it usually offers price comparison with other modes of travel including flights and buses
  • when visiting Europe, you can book journeys in multiple countries in one transaction.

The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.

Save A Train *

Save A Train Guide

On this journey

Travelling On
A Frecciarossa train has arrived at Venezia St Lucia
Frecciarossa 500 (Frecce) (Italy) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - YesCoastal viewsHigh Speed (partial journey)

Good to Know

The train which is usually scheduled to depart Rome at around 17:50 is fastest because it does not divert off the direct route to call Napoli Centrale station.
The other two departures do call there and they will reverse direction on departure.

Connecting to the Blu Jet fast ferries:

At Villa S. Giovanni station a straightforward transfer is available into the fast ferries operated by Blu Jet, which take just 20 minutes to make the sea crossing to Messina.

Heading south from Salerno Heading south from Salerno
For more than an hour the railway is close to the shore For more than an hour the railway is close to the shore
The views of the beaches are on the right The views of the beaches are on the right
For much of the final hour you can look down on the coast For much of the final hour you can look down on the coast
Nearing journeyu0027s end Nearing journeyu0027s end

Journey Description

Though it's a journey of two halves because between Roma and Salerno, these trains will be travelling on the high speed line.

The spectacular coastal views kick in shortly after departure from Salerno.

They're so fabulous that the part of the journey south of Salerno, which equates to 90% of the trip, has been included on The Guardian's pick of the world's best rail journeys.

To make the most of those views on these trains, you'll need to hope that your reserved seat will be on the right-hand side of the train, as you head south of Salerno - because that side of the train will face the coast.
The first two departures of the day reverse direction in Napoli, so when boarding in Rome, hope that your seats will be on the left.