- Must visit
Museo Regionale Interdisciplinare di Messina
The city’s main museum, known for important works by Caravaggio and Antonello da Messina, plus sculpture and archaeology from the wider area.
Cheapest price
$7
Average price
$12
Fastest journey
1 h 15 m
Average duration
1 h 25 m
Buses per day
8
Distance
87 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Catania to Messina is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Catania to Messina will cost around $12 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $7.
Of the 8 buses that leave Catania for Messina on Thu, Jul 09, 8 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jul 09 the direct buses cover the 87 km distance in an average of 1 h 25 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 15 m .
On Thu, Jul 09 the slowest buses will take 1 h 39 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.










Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Catania to Messina among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $7. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 31m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $7, and a train costs an average of $11.
Distance: 54 miles (87 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$9 Average price Cheapest | $12 Average price | $24 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 17m Average total duration 1h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 1m Average total duration Fastest 1h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 22m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Catania to Messina:
A bus is $3 (€2) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Catania to Messina costing on average $12 (€10).
Other travel options to Messina take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 47m.
Tickets start at around $9 (€7) compared to roughly $24 (€20) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $15 (€13). The journey takes 1h 47m versus 1h 22m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Sais Regional, FlixBus, Itabus, Infobus, BlaBlaCar, Interbus S.p.A., SAIS trasporti S.p.A. - Autolinee Giamporcaro.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:25AM | Arrival Time 08:50AM | Duration 1h25 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:25AM | Arrival Time 09:50AM | Duration 1h25 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator Trenitalia | Departure Time 09:11AM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 2h39 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Sais Regional | Departure Time 02:33PM | Arrival Time 04:31PM | Duration 1h58 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Sais Regional | Departure Time 03:13PM | Arrival Time 05:01PM | Duration 1h48 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:40PM | Arrival Time 06:10PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:40PM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Itabus | Departure Time 05:55PM | Arrival Time 07:34PM | Duration 1h39 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:10PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 1h15 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator Itabus | Departure Time 06:55PM | Arrival Time 08:34PM | Duration 1h39 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator Sais Regional | Departure Time 07:13PM | Arrival Time 09:03PM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Itabus | Departure Time 07:15PM | Arrival Time 08:34PM | Duration 1h19 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Itabus | Departure Time 07:50PM | Arrival Time 09:49PM | Duration 1h59 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sat | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 08:20PM | Arrival Time 11:18PM | Duration 2h58 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator Trenitalia | Departure Time 08:26PM | Arrival Time 11:05PM | Duration 2h39 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:30PM | Arrival Time 09:45PM | Duration 1h15 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator Itabus | Departure Time 08:50PM | Arrival Time 10:49PM | Duration 1h59 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator Sais Regional | Departure Time 09:10PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Itabus | Departure Time 09:10PM | Arrival Time 10:49PM | Duration 1h39 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:55PM | Arrival Time 11:25PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $18 |
The table below shows live departures for Catania to Messina buses for tomorrow, Thursday, July 9. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:25 AM Catania | 1h25 | 9:50 AM Messina | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:11 AM Catania | 2h39 | 11:50 AM Messina | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:55 PM Catania | 1h39 | 7:34 PM Messina | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:10 PM Catania | 1h15 | 7:25 PM Messina | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:55 PM Catania | 1h39 | 8:34 PM Messina | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:26 PM Catania | 2h39 | 11:05 PM Messina | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:30 PM Catania | 1h15 | 9:45 PM Messina | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:55 PM Catania | 1h30 | 11:25 PM Messina | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Catania to Messina run on average 153 times per day, taking around 1h 47m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $7 (€6) if you book in advance.
There are 151 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 54 miles (87 km) distance in 1h 15m.
Distance 54 miles (87 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 47m |
Cheapest ticket price $7 (€6) |
Buses per day 153 |
Direct buses 151 |
Fastest bus 1h 15m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Messina — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Messina trip today.
The city’s main museum, known for important works by Caravaggio and Antonello da Messina, plus sculpture and archaeology from the wider area.
Common local name for the regional museum complex housing major Sicilian art collections and restored works linked to Messina’s history.
Cathedral treasury museum displaying liturgical objects, silverwork, vestments, and sacred art tied to the city’s religious heritage.
The heart of historic Messina, home to the cathedral, fountain, and clock tower, making it the city’s essential starting point.
One of the best viewpoints over Messina and the Strait, especially appreciated for wide panoramas and evening photo opportunities.
The northeastern tip near Messina, famous for dramatic strait views and the evocative landscape where the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas meet.
Fried rice balls, usually filled with ragù, mozzarella, or butter and ham. A classic Sicilian street food widely loved in Messina.
A traditional Messina stuffed turnover, typically filled with escarole, tuma cheese, anchovies, and tomatoes, then fried or baked.
Sicilian pasta with tomato sauce, fried eggplant, basil, and salted ricotta. Common across Sicily and popular in Messina.
Well-known Messina restaurant focused on quality Sicilian meat and regional cuisine in a polished, contemporary setting.
Established seafood restaurant appreciated for traditional Sicilian fish dishes, including local Strait specialties, in an elegant atmosphere.
Historic pastry and café venue famous for granita, cannoli, and other classic Sicilian sweets in a traditional setting.
Moderate for Italy: coffee and casual meals are reasonable, while tourist-area dining and summer stays cost more.
Service is often included or modest. Rounding up or leaving EUR 1-2 at cafes is enough; 5-10% in restaurants for good service is appreciated, not required. Taxis are usually rounded up.
The bus route from Catania to Messina is available every day thanks to the company Sais, which provides about 23 daily services from Monday to Friday, in particular half leave from the airport. In addition to the direct connection, lasting about one hour and 15 minutes, you can choose to arrive at Villa San Giovanni, about 8 km from the city of Catania, with the company Flixbus.
The direct bus journey from Catania to Messina is served by Sais Autolinee, which leaves from the city centre or airport. Flixbus provides ten daily trips to Villa San Giovanni, which is located 8 km from Messina, with a journey lasting two hours and 15 minutes.
The bus journey from Catania to Messina takes about one hour and 35 minutes with departure in the center, and one hour and 45 minutes in case of departure from the airport. The journey from Villa San Giovanni, offered by Flixbus, takes about two hours to two hours and 15 minutes.
All days from Monday to Friday there are 23 Sais buses leaving from Catania to Messina, except on Saturdays (13 departures) and Sundays when 8 buses leave, always from the same company: the runs depart approximately every 30 minutes from early morning until 10:00, then every hour until 14, and then every 30 minutes until about 20:45. On weekdays, 14 of these alternatives depart from the airport. The Flixbus offer for Villa San Giovanni offers travelers at least ten alternatives every day.
Autostazione Via D'Amico a Catania: the bus station is near the train station, in the center. A few hundred meters away is the subway and in Via della Libertà there is the Alibus stop that connects the city with the airport, from where there are also some bus services Sais.
Messine bus station: the Teminal Bus is located in Piazza della Repubblica, near the train station and the maritime station for Calabria. Nearby are available to travelers ticket offices, tobacconists, bars, restaurants, toilets, storage for luggage and waiting areas.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Catania to Messina by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Messina, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need