Follow this practical guide to get to Sicily without a plane, whether you're afraid of flying or want to limit your carbon footprint.
step 1: take the train to Milan
Sicily is a destination where you can go without flying from France, by first reaching Milan. As northern Italy's largest city, it is also the region's best connected by rail.Milan is the gateway for travellers wishing to enter Italy by train. In particular, it is linked to France by a high-speed Inoui TGV line departing from Paris, via Chambéry. The journey takes 7 to 8 hours from Paris, and 5 h 30 from Chambéry. There are between one and three departures a day. If you wish to reach Milan from other cities, you will often need to make at least one stopover.
Worth reading if you're looking to travel without flying: our selection of destinations where you can go to the sun without flying.
2nd stage: Milan - Rome
Once you've arrived in Milan, take a second train to Rome. There are many departures a day, but the journey is usually direct and takes around 3 h 30. To book this train, visit the TrenItalia website.
For those on a budget, another option is to travel directly to Rome by bus, without passing through Milan. Flixbus offers direct journeys from Paris in 20 h, from Lyon in 14 h 50, from Lausanne in 14 h 30, from Geneva or Grenoble in 13 h 30 or from Marseille in 12 h 30.
stage 3: Rome to Sicily
Finally, when you arrive in Rome, continue your itinerary to get to Sicily without a plane by boarding a train to the island. There are several routes a day, both day and night, operated by InterCity. They lead to both Palermo and Syracuse, making Sicily a destination that can be reached entirely by train from France! The journey takes between 11 and 13 hours on the train.
If you choose an overnight train, you can opt for seats for a more economical ticket, or sleep in a sleeper cabin. Choosing the latter option will give you optimum comfort and the chance to wake up in the heart of Sicily's sunny landscapes. You'll need to increase your budget. You can choose a modern, comfortable 4-bed sleeper cabin, or even a women's cabin. In the berth, you'll be provided with clean, wrapped sheets so you can make your own bed. Breakfast and a bottle of water are included. You can also choose to sleep alone in a single cabin.
This stage of your journey to Sicily without a plane will be all the more magical as the night train will cross the sea that separates Sicily from the rest of the continent by boarding a ferry! From Rome, you can also reach Sicily by bus. This option is less expensive, but also longer and less comfortable. It takes 13 hours to reach Palermo and 10 hours 30 minutes to Catania.
Read more in the train to plan your stay in Palermo.
How to get to Sicily without a plane
To get to Sicily without a plane by train, which we recommend because it's simpler and more comfortable, you'll need 23 hours of travel time, broken down as follows:
- 8 h to Milan from Paris. This time will vary according to your point of departure.
- 3 hrs 30 mins to Rome from Milan
- 12 h to reach Palermo from Rome.
Italian trains are generally well organized and rarely late. Once you've arrived in Sicily, check out our article on what to do in Sicily, as well as our article on climbing Mount Etna, to help you plan your stay.
How much does it cost to travel to Sicily by train?
The cost of travelling to Sicily by train will depend entirely on the mode of transport you choose (bus or train), the type of train ticket you choose (sleeper or non-sleeper), the period of travel, how far in advance you book and the starting point of your itinerary. To calculate the cost you'll need, we recommend you visit TrenItalia or Flixbus and consult the fares for the dates you're interested in. To reduce your budget, try to book as early as possible, be flexible on dates, and opt for non-cancellable tickets, which are generally cheaper. Travelling by bus can also considerably reduce the budget, but you'll certainly be sacrificing comfort.
Here's an estimate of the fares you can expect to pay:
- If you plan ahead and travel in low season, you can find a ticket from Paris to Milan by TGV for around €50. In summer, or if you book at the last minute, this fare can be tripled.
- If you book in advance, you can expect to pay around €30 for a journey from Milan to Rome. Prices can rise to over €100 if you book at the last minute.
- For the journey between Rome and Palermo, you can find a ticket with a seat for around €40 if you book a few weeks in advance. Sleeping in a couchette cabin costs at least €65. Single cabins cost at least €115.
When calculating your budget, don't forget to include meals. These are more or less expensive, depending on whether you have a sandwich at the station or go to a restaurant. And don't forget hotels, if you want to take breaks during your stopovers.
What is the carbon footprint of a train journey to Sicily?
To calculate the carbon footprint of a trip, you can visit the ADEME website. The TGV train journey from Paris to Milan emits 2.5 kg ofCO2 or equivalent. Then add 1.4 kg for the journey from Milan to Rome. Then add 2.8 kg ofCO2 for the journey from Rome to Palermo. The train journey therefore emits 6.7 kg of greenhouse gases. To this must be added the ferry crossing, necessary to get to Sicily without flying. The carbon footprint of this crossing is difficult to calculate due to the lack of tools to do so. It should be noted, however, that the ferry is a means of transport that emits a lot ofCO2. It is, however, less polluting than air travel, especially as the crossing is so short.
Book your train tickets to Milan now for your trip to Sicily. By booking in advance, you'll be able to take advantage of the best fares:
