Pelagie Islands Ferry Timetables
Latest page update: 16 January 2025
The Pelagie Islands ferry timetables detail the small number of routes that are available between the Sicilian mainland and the two main islands of Lampedusa and Linosa. The third island, Lampione is so small that it can only be reached from Lampedusa, and by using one of the excursions operated by a local company.
Lampedusa and Linosa can be reached from the Sicilian mainland town of Porto Empedocle in the Agrigento Province. Of the two islands, Lampedusa is the most popular with its beaches including the famous Spiaggia dei Conigli, while smaller Linosa is known more for its multi-coloured houses and volcanic scenery. |
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Pelagie Islands Ferry Tickets and Schedules
Reaching the Pelagie Islands
The Pelagie Islands are among the most remote that come under the banner of Italy. Lampedusa for example is closer to the continent of Africa than it is to Sicily while Linosa is just about equidistant between the two. In the case of Lampedusa there's a choice between flying to the island's modern airport, or sailing from Porto Empedocle. Flights are the fastest option and available from the Sicilian capital of Palermo in an hour, with a handful of other Italian airports also offering flights.
Boat Types and Ferry Companies
If you choose to travel to the Pelagie Islands by sea, there are two different types of boat to consider. Liberty Lines operate hydrofoils for foot passengers only with a journey time of just over four hours between Lampedusa and Porto Empedocle, or three hours between the Sicilian mainland port and Linosa.
The other option is to take one of the vehicle and passenger ferries which are operated by Siremar. However, the ferries take much longer to reach their destinations than the ferries: as an example, the four hour 15 minute hydrofoil journey from Porto Empedocle to Lampedusa becomes a whopping nine hours 40 minutes by ferry.
The ferries are cheaper: along that same route the Siremar ferry costs around €40 compared to the €60 for a one-way Liberty Lines hydrofoil ticket, but the extra amount is certainly worth paying considering the time saving. The ability to bring a car across on the ferry is mitigated by the fact that you really don't need a car in either Linosa or Lampedusa.
Both the ferries and the hydrofoils are only available during the summer months, with specific dates and times shown on the individual route pages. You can also just check the latest crossing times by using the ticket booking engine further down this page.
Ticket Booking
The ticket booking engine below is operated by a third party company called Traghettilines/OK Ferry. When using the facility to purchase a ticket, you will be charged a booking fee that won't necessarily apply if you were to buy your tickets directly from the ticket kiosk at the relevant port. It's worth noting, that you can simply use the booking engine to check the latest sailing times for any given date; you don't have to go as far as buying a ticket if you don't want to or aren't yet ready to.
The Pelagie Islands are among the most remote that come under the banner of Italy. Lampedusa for example is closer to the continent of Africa than it is to Sicily while Linosa is just about equidistant between the two. In the case of Lampedusa there's a choice between flying to the island's modern airport, or sailing from Porto Empedocle. Flights are the fastest option and available from the Sicilian capital of Palermo in an hour, with a handful of other Italian airports also offering flights.
Boat Types and Ferry Companies
If you choose to travel to the Pelagie Islands by sea, there are two different types of boat to consider. Liberty Lines operate hydrofoils for foot passengers only with a journey time of just over four hours between Lampedusa and Porto Empedocle, or three hours between the Sicilian mainland port and Linosa.
The other option is to take one of the vehicle and passenger ferries which are operated by Siremar. However, the ferries take much longer to reach their destinations than the ferries: as an example, the four hour 15 minute hydrofoil journey from Porto Empedocle to Lampedusa becomes a whopping nine hours 40 minutes by ferry.
The ferries are cheaper: along that same route the Siremar ferry costs around €40 compared to the €60 for a one-way Liberty Lines hydrofoil ticket, but the extra amount is certainly worth paying considering the time saving. The ability to bring a car across on the ferry is mitigated by the fact that you really don't need a car in either Linosa or Lampedusa.
Both the ferries and the hydrofoils are only available during the summer months, with specific dates and times shown on the individual route pages. You can also just check the latest crossing times by using the ticket booking engine further down this page.
Ticket Booking
The ticket booking engine below is operated by a third party company called Traghettilines/OK Ferry. When using the facility to purchase a ticket, you will be charged a booking fee that won't necessarily apply if you were to buy your tickets directly from the ticket kiosk at the relevant port. It's worth noting, that you can simply use the booking engine to check the latest sailing times for any given date; you don't have to go as far as buying a ticket if you don't want to or aren't yet ready to.
Lampedusa is the most popular of the three Pelagie Islands and it's easy to understand why. It has one beach that regularly wins awards and several that can be considered among the best beaches in Italy. The Spiaggia dei Conigli or Rabbit Beach is just about how you would design a beach if you could: shallow azure waters sheltered from the wind by rocks on both sides and of course soft, powder-puff sand to relax on after a gentle swim.
There's more to the island aside from the beaches as well, its unique culture defined as much by its Sicilian side as its close proximity to Africa. Ferry journeys into Lampedusa are available from Porto Empedocle but the hydrofoils are the faster option. |
Individual Ferry Routes from Lampedusa
Linosa is one of the most remote islands in Italy which in itself is a cause to rouse curiosity. It's also one of the most colourful places in the country where the small number of houses close to the port are painted in vibrant shades of yellow, red and blue. All this of course with the backdrop of the blue Sicilian skies and it works out as quite a heady cocktail.
The volcanic island is also full of fascinating scenery in its small interior where the seismic activity has shaped the landscape over the years. Dark red and grey shades mark out the rocks while there are some beautiful places to swim in clear azure water. The fastest route into Linosa is 3 hours by hydrofoil from Porto Empedocle. |
Individual Ferry Routes from Linosa
Porto Empedocle is situated on the west coast of Sicily within the province of Agrigento. It lies a short distance from two of Sicily's most popular sights: the incredible Scala dei Turchi beaches a few kilometres to the west, and the UNESCO-listed Valley of the Temples archaeological site in the opposite direction.
From Porto Empedocle's port it's possible to sail directly to the two main islands that form the Pelagie Islands. Linosa is the first one you reach when sailings from Porto Empedocle and lies a distance of 169 kilometres away, while Lampedusa comes next after a further 49 kilometre journey. |
Individual Ferry Routes from Porto Empedocle