Palermo - Ustica
Ferries to Ustica Island
Palermo - Ustica
Ferries to Ustica Island
On the Palermo Ustica route, fares generally fall between $46* and $368*. On average, a Palermo Ustica ferry ticket costs around $184*, with the lowest Palermo Ustica fares starting at $46*. Foot passengers pay an average of $182*. Traveling with a car adds up to an average fare of $443*.
Actual fares depend on passenger numbers, vehicle type, chosen route and sailing time. Figures are based on fares searched over the past 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last refreshed September 26.
Compare fares, operators and sailing times from across the globe in one place, then book with confidence. Booking ahead is the easiest way to lock in a better price and a wider choice of departures.
Yes. Direct Ferries runs a number of discounts throughout the year. If a senior discount applies to your route, it's applied automatically once you select the right age range in the passenger options during your search.
Students and recent graduates can save 5% on their booking. Simply register with our partner Student Beans to verify your status, and you'll be issued a discount code to apply at checkout.
On several Spanish and Italian routes, residents can also access a discounted fare — look out for the "Residents" option during your search, which applies the reduced price automatically. Keep in mind you'll be asked to show proof of residency, such as a registration certificate or an ID card showing your address, at check-in.
Palermo Ustica sailings usually begin with a departure from Palermo at approximately 07:00, with the final sailing of the day leaving around 17:30.
Absolutely, the short crossing time and frequent daily sailings make Palermo to Ustica a popular choice for a day trip. If you can, bringing a vehicle lets you venture further afield once you arrive, on your own schedule.
Yes, Siremar operates car-friendly sailings between Palermo and Ustica. Use our Deal Finder to check live pricing for taking a vehicle on this route.
Whether a campervan or caravan is permitted on the Palermo to Ustica crossing depends on the ship and operator running your preferred sailing. Enter your travel details into our Deal Finder, and we'll compare the operators on this route to confirm your options.
Yes, Siremar welcomes bicycles on the Palermo to Ustica crossing. Bikes are accepted by most ferry operators, though it's worth confirming the specific policy in advance so there are no surprises at the terminal.
Yes, Liberty Lines Fast Ferries & Siremar accepts foot passengers on sailings between Palermo and Ustica.
Good news for pet owners — Liberty Lines Fast Ferries allows pets on board sailings between Palermo and Ustica. Traveling with a pet on this route costs an average of $276.
Figures reflect fares searched over the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last updated September 26.
When you bring a pet on board, you'll typically need to have the following ready:
This varies by operator — on some ferries, pets must stay in your vehicle for the whole crossing, while others provide dedicated pet zones, pet-friendly cabins, or lounge areas. Check our Deal Finder to compare the pet arrangements on offer and choose the crossing that suits you and your pet best.
A few things are worth knowing before you travel with a guide or assistance dog. We'd suggest letting our customer service team know, or flagging it with the ferry operator when you book, that you'll be travelling with an assistance animal.
Bring along any relevant certification and paperwork too, since you may need to show it at boarding or at some point during the crossing.
Even on sailings where pets generally aren't permitted, different rules often apply to guide dogs and assistance dogs. Get in touch with our customer service team to confirm the specific policy for your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for general guidance.
Overnight sailings on the Palermo to Ustica route aren't guaranteed and depend on a range of factors. Run a search with your travel details and our results will show whether an overnight option is available, along with current timetables, crossing times, and day-sailing alternatives.
Bear in mind that overnight crossings can run a little longer than their daytime equivalents.
Document requirements aren't the same on every route, so it's worth confirming what you'll need before you travel. A valid passport is generally required for the Palermo to Ustica crossing, alongside any visas or national ID your nationality calls for. Exact requirements depend on your citizenship and the rules of your destination country, so for the latest guidance and to avoid delays at check-in, take a look at our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide.
Booking is straightforward: enter your departure and arrival ports along with your travel date to pull up every available sailing and fare. You can also browse alternative routes and departure times to find the option that works best for you.
Keep an eye out for early-booking savings and flexible ticket types, including upgrades or flexi-fares that let you amend or cancel later on. For a hassle-free booking, double-check the details you enter, such as passenger numbers and any vehicle specifications.
As soon as your booking is confirmed, you'll get a confirmation email. Exactly how your boarding pass is issued after that depends on which operator you've booked with.
Some operators send your boarding pass out the moment you book, while others require check-in at the port itself. Where it's offered, online check-in is also available through the Direct Ferries app, saving you a step at the terminal.
You'll typically find the ticket desk close to the ferry terminal itself. It's a good idea to arrive a little early so you have plenty of time to collect your tickets and get checked in without rushing.
At check-in, have your confirmation email ready along with valid photo ID, such as a passport or identity card. If you're travelling with a pet, bring along their vaccination and insurance paperwork, and if you booked using a resident discount, be prepared to show proof of address too.
A few things can explain a lack of sailings on your chosen date: a temporary schedule change, limited space, or a seasonal shift in the timetable are the most common. It's worth trying a nearby date or exploring alternative routes using our Route & Port finder.
As a rule, the earlier you book your Palermo to Ustica ferry, the better. Booking ahead tends to secure lower fares along with a wider pick of departure times and cabin or seating options.
Aim to book at least a few weeks ahead to make the most of the best available offers, keeping in mind that fares can shift depending on the season and how much space is left.
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| Palermo - Ustica Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $182 | |
| Average Price with Car | $443 | |
| Average Price with Motorcycle | $188 | |
| Average Campervan Price | $319 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $189 | |
| Palermo - Ustica Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sicily |
| Destination | Ustica Island |
| No. of Operators | 2 |
| Operators | Liberty Lines Fast Ferries & Siremar |
| Average Price | $184 |
| Average Pet Price | $276 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 3 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 20 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 1 h 30 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 1 h 30 m |
| First Ferry | 07:00 |
| Last Ferry | 17:30 |
| Distance | 35 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
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.
