- Must visit
Museo Civico Castello Ursino
City museum inside the 13th-century Castello Ursino, with archaeological finds, sculptures, paintings, and decorative arts linked to Catania’s history.
Cheapest price
$7
Average price
$9
Fastest journey
1 h 15 m
Average duration
1 h 28 m
Buses per day
7
Distance
87 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Messina to Catania is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Messina to Catania will cost around $9 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $7.
Of the 7 buses that leave Messina for Catania on Tue, Jun 16, 7 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Jun 16 the direct buses cover the 87 km distance in an average of 1 h 28 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 15 m .
On Tue, Jun 16 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 Messina to Catania 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 36m. 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 | $25 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 14m Average total duration 1h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 6m Average total duration Fastest 1h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 18m 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 Messina to Catania:
A bus is $3 (€2) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Messina to Catania costing on average $12 (€10).
Other travel options to Catania take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 44m.
Tickets start at around $9 (€8) compared to roughly $25 (€20) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $16 (€13). The journey takes 1h 44m versus 1h 18m 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, SAIS, Itabus, Infobus, BlaBlaCar, Flibco, 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 Itabus | Departure Time 03:46AM | Arrival Time 05:25AM | Duration 1h39 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:25AM | Arrival Time 05:55AM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:35AM | Arrival Time 05:55AM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator Itabus | Departure Time 04:46AM | Arrival Time 06:25AM | Duration 1h39 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator Itabus | Departure Time 04:51AM | Arrival Time 06:50AM | Duration 1h59 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator Itabus | Departure Time 05:51AM | Arrival Time 07:50AM | Duration 1h59 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator SAIS | Departure Time 08:04AM | Arrival Time 02:51PM | Duration 6h47 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:55AM | Arrival Time 10:15AM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator SAIS | Departure Time 09:04AM | Arrival Time 03:51PM | Duration 6h47 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 12:40PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator SAIS | Departure Time 02:36PM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 1h44 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:50PM | Arrival Time 06:10PM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 06:20PM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:55PM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 1h15 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator SAIS | Departure Time 06:15PM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator SAIS | Departure Time 06:19PM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 1h46 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator SAIS | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $11 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:45PM | Arrival Time 08:00PM | Duration 1h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $11 |
Operator Trenitalia | Departure Time 06:55PM | Arrival Time 09:34PM | Duration 2h39 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:55PM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 1h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 07:27PM | Arrival Time 11:04PM | Duration 3h37 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $12 |
The table below shows live departures for Messina to Catania buses for today, Monday, June 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:55 PM Messina | 1h15 | 8:10 PM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:27 PM Messina | 3h37 | 11:04 PM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, June 16 | |||||
![]() | 3:46 AM Messina | 1h39 | 5:25 AM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:25 AM Messina | 1h30 | 5:55 AM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:46 AM Messina | 1h39 | 6:25 AM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:00 PM Messina | 1h20 | 6:20 PM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:15 PM Messina | 1h50 | 8:05 PM Catania | 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 Messina to Catania run on average 120 times per day, taking around 1h 44m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $7 (€6) if you book in advance.
There are 112 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 03:09, 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 44m |
Cheapest ticket price $7 (€6) |
Buses per day 120 |
Direct buses 112 |
Fastest bus 1h 15m |
First bus 3:09 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 49 days |
Discover the best of Catania — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Catania trip today.
City museum inside the 13th-century Castello Ursino, with archaeological finds, sculptures, paintings, and decorative arts linked to Catania’s history.
Large museum on the Allied landings in Sicily, known for immersive displays, wartime reconstructions, and strong historical context.
Museum beside the cathedral with religious art, silverwork, manuscripts, and access to terraces overlooking Piazza del Duomo.
The city’s main square, surrounded by Baroque architecture and anchored by the cathedral and Elephant Fountain.
Catania’s principal shopping and walking street, lined with historic buildings and long views toward Mount Etna.
Historic fish market area beside Piazza del Duomo, famous for its lively atmosphere, photogenic scenes, and local character.
Catania’s signature pasta with fried eggplant, tomato sauce, salted ricotta, and basil, named in honor of Bellini’s opera Norma.
Stuffed fried rice balls, often filled with ragù, butter, or pistachio, and a beloved everyday Sicilian street food.
A sweet-and-sour eggplant dish with tomato, celery, olives, and capers, served as a classic Sicilian antipasto or side.
Established Sicilian restaurant with refined regional cooking, strong wine selection, and an elegant yet welcoming atmosphere.
Iconic pastry shop and café famous for arancini, granita, cassata, and other classic Catanese and Sicilian specialties.
Well-known traditional trattoria serving hearty Sicilian specialties, pasta, and local fish in a warm, rustic setting.
Generally moderate by Italian standards: casual food is affordable, while central hotels and seafood restaurants cost more.
Service is often included or covered by coperto. Tipping is not mandatory; round up or leave EUR 1-2 at cafes, 5-10% for very good restaurant service, and round up taxis.
Official public transport app
Catania, Partenze - Terminal A -> Catania Centrale
The bus connection from Messina to Catania is provided daily by the regional lines of Sais Autolinee, with about 20 trips a day on weekdays, in particular six with stop at the airport. In addition to the direct journey, which lasts about an hour and 35 minutes, you can also depart from Villa San Giovanni, about 8 km from Catania, with Flixbus.
The direct bus journey Messina Catania is guaranteed by Sais Autolinee, which also connects to the airport of Catania. Flixbus instead offers the possibility to leave from Villa San Giovanni, just 8 km from Messina, and reach your destination with a trip of two and a half hours.
The bus route from Messina to Catania takes about one hour and 35 minutes in case of direct connection to Catania Station, and one hour and 45 minutes to the airport. The connection from Villa San Giovanni, guaranteed by Flixbus and without changes, takes about two hours and 30 minutes.
At least 20 buses are available every day from Messina to Catania, except on Saturdays when there are 13 and on Sundays when there are 8: the services are guaranteed by Sais Autolinee and depart approximately every 30 minutes from the morning at 5:00 until the evening at 20 and 30 minutes. On weekdays, six of these alternatives take you to the airport at 5:15, at 6:30, at 10:15, at 17:15, at 19:30 and at 20:30. The Flixbus connection from Villa San Giovanni offers travelers three possibilities per day, one in the morning and two in the early afternoon.
Messina Piazza della Repubblica bus station: the bus station is located near the train station, connected to the maritime station that connects to Calabria. Nearby there are shops, ticket offices, toilets, luggage storage and waiting room.
Messina bus station Via D'Amico: the bus terminal is located near the train station, within walking distance. At about 200 meters you will find the subway station and nearby, in Via della Libertà, you can also take the Alibus that connects to the airport. Some bus lines stop directly at the airport.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Messina to Catania 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 Catania, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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