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Port guide: compare transport from Messine

Messine, Italy 22 transport option(s) compared
60 min Recommended return before ship
Port exit : Easy

Messine

Port call at Messine (Italy). Leaving the port is straightforward and the town centre is walkable from the pier. The cheapest option, Walk to Messina Cathedral, is free, and the fastest takes around 5 min. A ship shuttle is also available, at around 25,00 €.

Terminal located in the port of Messina, 1 km from the centre. A gateway town between Sicily and Calabria.

Porto di Messina
Cheapest option Free Walk to Messina Cathedral
Fastest option 5 min Taxi to Messina Cathedral
Simplest option Walk to Messina Cathedral Very simple
Ship shuttle 25,00 € Please contact the company for further information.

Practical tips

  • Centre on foot
  • ATM buses available
  • Trams available in town

Warnings

  • Not a very touristy town
  • Few attractions compared to Taormina
  • Taormina 50 km away

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Best option summary

By choosing your cruise line's official shuttle, you opt for complete peace of mind: even if it isn't the cheapest option, this transfer is treated as an excursion, which means the ship will wait for the shuttle before setting sail.

Ship shuttle 25,00 €

Please contact the company for further information.

Recommended local alternative Walk to Messina Cathedral

Free - 10 min - Free according to the ship's departure times

The cathedral and astronomical clock are very close to the terminal.

Filter transport options

Choose whether you want to stay near the port, reach a connection, or go on a longer excursion.

Transport options

22 option(s) shown for Messine

Walk to Messina Cathedral

Messina Cathedral / Piazza Duomo

Walk Near the port
Estimated cost Free
Estimated duration 10 min
Frequency Free according to the ship's departure times
Complexity Very simple
Main advantage

The cathedral and astronomical clock are very close to the terminal.

Attention point

Very busy around midday for the animation of the clock

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; ideal for a short visit from the port

Source : Messina Cruise Terminal; ; CruiseLegend

Walk to Fontana di Orione

Fontana di Orione / Piazza Duomo

Walk Near the port
Estimated cost Free
Estimated duration 10 min
Frequency Free according to the ship's departure times
Complexity Very simple
Main advantage

Central location very close to the port, next to the cathedral

Attention point

Limited interest for out-of-town excursions

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; good base for visiting the historic centre on foot

Source : CruiseLegend; Messina tourism

Walk to Messina Centrale

Messina Centrale

Walk Station / airport
Estimated cost Free
Estimated duration 12 min
Frequency Free according to the ship's departure times
Complexity Very simple
Main advantage

Easy access to trains to Taormina, Catania or Milazzo

Attention point

Uncomfortable with heavy luggage or high temperatures

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; the station is close to the terminal and convenient for self-guided excursions.

Source : CruiseLegend; Trenitalia;

City bus to Messina Cathedral

Messina Cathedral / Piazza Duomo

Bus Near the port
Estimated cost 1,50 €
Estimated duration 8 min
Frequency Regular frequency according to ATM lines
Complexity Very simple
Main advantage

Avoid walking to the historic centre

Attention point

Not necessary as the distance is short

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; in practice, the walking option is often simpler from the terminal.

Source : ATM Messina; CruiseLegend;

Taxi to Messina Cathedral

Messina Cathedral / Piazza Duomo

Taxi Near the port
Estimated cost 8,00 €
Estimated duration 5 min
Frequency Available at the terminal or on call
Complexity Very simple
Main advantage

Very fast for PRM or high heat

Attention point

Not necessary as the centre is within walking distance

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; ask for the price before departure or check the meter

Source : CruiseLegend; services taxi locaux

Taxi to Messina Centrale

Messina Centrale

Taxi Station / airport
Estimated cost 10,00 €
Estimated duration 5 min
Frequency Available at the terminal or on call
Complexity Very simple
Main advantage

Direct and practical with luggage or reserved train

Attention point

More expensive than walking a short distance

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; recommended if train departure is imminent or if luggage is bulky

Source : CruiseLegend; Trenitalia; services taxi locaux

Cruise shuttle to city centre

Messina Cathedral / Piazza Duomo

Public shuttle Near the port
Estimated cost 10,00 €
Estimated duration 8 min
Frequency Depending on cruise line and port of call
Complexity Very simple
Main advantage

Simple if offered directly by the company

Attention point

Not very useful as the centre is already within walking distance

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; check the on-board programme to see if a shuttle service is available, but walking is often sufficient.

Source : Compagnies de croisière; CruiseLegend;

City bus to Museo Regionale

Museo Regionale Interdisciplinare di Messina

Bus Near the port
Estimated cost 1,50 €
Estimated duration 20 min
Frequency Regular frequency according to ATM lines
Complexity Simple
Main advantage

An economical option for getting to the regional museum

Attention point

Exact stop and line to be checked according to ATM timetable

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; check the active ATM route to the museum before setting off

Source : ATM Messina; ; Messina tourism

VTC to Messina Centrale

Messina Centrale

Private car (VTC) Station / airport
Estimated cost 12,00 €
Estimated duration 5 min
Frequency On request via application or private booking
Complexity Simple
Main advantage

Price known in advance and practical with luggage

Attention point

Variable availability for a very short run

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; check the authorised pick-up point at the terminal exit

Source : ; opérateurs VTC locaux; Trenitalia

Taxi to Torre Faro / Capo Peloro

Torre Faro / Capo Peloro

Taxi Near the port
Estimated cost 45,00 €
Estimated duration 30 min
Frequency Available at the terminal or by reservation
Complexity Simple
Main advantage

Direct route to the tip of the Strait of Messina

Attention point

More expensive than the bus

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; confirm price and return before departure if you wish to stay on site

Source : ; services taxi locaux; Messina tourism

Taxi to Taormina

Taormina

Taxi Distant excursion
Estimated cost 100,00 €
Estimated duration 50 min
Frequency Available at the terminal or by reservation
Complexity Simple
Main advantage

Direct route to Taormina without having to deal with local trains and buses

Attention point

High cost; return must be organised

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; confirm return fare, waiting time and return time before departure

Source : CruiseLegend; ; services taxi locaux

VTC to Taormina

Taormina

Private car (VTC) Distant excursion
Estimated cost 110,00 €
Estimated duration 50 min
Frequency By private reservation or application, subject to availability
Complexity Simple
Main advantage

Price known in advance and direct route

Attention point

High cost; availability varies according to port of call

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; book in advance and confirm return time at the terminal

Source : ; opérateurs VTC locaux;

Taxi to Catania airport

Catania-Fontanarossa airport

Taxi Station / airport
Estimated cost 180,00 €
Estimated duration 95 min
Frequency By reservation or long-distance taxi
Complexity Simple
Main advantage

Direct to the main airport in eastern Sicily

Attention point

High cost and possible traffic to Catania

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; booking in advance recommended for connecting flights

Source : ; services taxi locaux; Catania Airport

VTC to Catania airport

Catania-Fontanarossa airport

Private car (VTC) Station / airport
Estimated cost 200,00 €
Estimated duration 95 min
Frequency By private reservation
Complexity Simple
Main advantage

Direct transfer with price fixed in advance

Attention point

High cost and long journey times

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; book with a wide margin if flying after disembarkation

Source : ; opérateurs VTC locaux; Catania Airport

Walk to Santuario Cristo Re

Santuario di Cristo Re

Walk Near the port
Estimated cost Free
Estimated duration 30 min
Frequency Free according to the ship's departure times
Complexity Intermediate
Main advantage

Beautiful view of the Strait of Messina

Attention point

Ascent from the port, less suitable for PRMs

Accessibility : Moyenne

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; bring comfortable shoes and avoid the heat.

Source : Messina tourism

City bus to Torre Faro

Torre Faro / Capo Peloro

Bus Near the port
Estimated cost 1,50 €
Estimated duration 50 min
Frequency Variable frequency depending on ATM line
Complexity Intermediate
Main advantage

Low-cost access to the northern tip and the Strait

Attention point

Longer journey; return times to be checked

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; useful for seeing Capo Peloro, but allow time to get back to the ship

Source : ATM Messina; ; CruiseLegend

Train to Milazzo

Milazzo

Train Distant excursion
Estimated cost 5,00 €
Estimated duration 45 min
Frequency Regular trains from Messina Centrale
Complexity Intermediate
Main advantage

Economical option for Milazzo and connections to the Aeolian Islands

Attention point

Need to get to the station and then possibly the port of Milazzo

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; check train and boat timetables if aiming for the Aeolian Islands

Source : Trenitalia; CruiseLegend

Intercity bus to Taormina

Taormina Bus Terminal

Bus Distant excursion
Estimated cost 6,00 €
Estimated duration 65 min
Frequency Some departures according to operator schedule
Complexity Intermediate
Main advantage

Alternatively, you can take the train directly to Taormina

Attention point

More limited frequency; return to be secured for a short stopover

Accessibility : Acceptable

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; in practice, check the SAIS timetables or local operators from Messina to Taormina.

Source : SAIS;

Train to Taormina-Giardini

Taormina-Giardini

Train Distant excursion
Estimated cost 7,00 €
Estimated duration 70 min
Frequency Regular trains from Messina Centrale
Complexity Intermediate
Main advantage

A cheap and reliable way to reach Taormina

Attention point

Need to reach Messina Centrale then local connection to Taormina haute

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route on the map; in practice, walk to Messina Centrale then train to Taormina-Giardini, then local bus/taxi to Taormina

Source : Trenitalia; ; Trainline

Taxi to Castelmola

Castelmola

Taxi Near the port
Estimated cost 120,00 €
Estimated duration 60 min
Frequency Available at the terminal or by reservation
Complexity Intermediate
Main advantage

Direct to a panoramic village above Taormina

Attention point

Uphill road and high cost

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; interesting private excursion combined with Taormina, return to be confirmed before departure

Source : ; services taxi locaux; Sicily tourism

Train to Reggio Calabria Centrale

Reggio Calabria Centrale

Train Station / airport
Estimated cost 6,00 €
Estimated duration 75 min
Frequency Variable frequency with crossings of the Strait according to schedule
Complexity Plan ahead
Main advantage

Allows you to reach Calabria without a car

Attention point

More complex route dependent on rail/ferry links

Accessibility : Acceptable

Practical tip : Direct A-B route on the map; to be reserved for autonomous passengers with a good return margin

Source : Trenitalia; Messina transport guides

Train to Catania Centrale

Catania Centrale

Train Station / airport
Estimated cost 10,00 €
Estimated duration 110 min
Frequency Regular trains from Messina Centrale
Complexity Plan ahead
Main advantage

Allows you to reach Catania without a car

Attention point

Long route for a short stopover; return to be secured

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; in practice, go to Messina Centrale then train to Catania Centrale

Source : Trenitalia;

Indicative data based on local sources and field estimates.