- Must visit
Museo Civico Castello Ursino
Civic museum inside Castello Ursino with medieval art, paintings, archaeology, and collections that trace Catania’s history from antiquity onward.
Cheapest price
$7
Average price
$9
Fastest journey
1 h 15 m
Average duration
1 h 31 m
Buses per day
5
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 5 buses that leave Messina for Catania on Sat, Aug 01, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Aug 01 the direct buses cover the 87 km distance in an average of 1 h 31 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 15 m .
On Sat, Aug 01 the slowest buses will take 1 h 40 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.










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 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 |
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 |
| 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 $8 |
Operator Itabus | Departure Time 05:51AM | Arrival Time 07:50AM | Duration 1h59 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator Sais Regional | 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 Regional | 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 Regional | 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 Regional | Departure Time 06:15PM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Sais Regional | Departure Time 06:19PM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 1h46 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator Sais Regional | 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, Friday, July 31. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:55 PM Messina | 1h15 | 7:10 PM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:15 PM Messina | 1h50 | 8:05 PM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:45 PM Messina | 1h15 | 8:00 PM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:55 PM Messina | 1h15 | 8:10 PM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, August 1 | |||||
![]() | 3:46 AM Messina | 1h39 | 5:25 AM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:35 AM Messina | 1h20 | 5:55 AM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:46 AM Messina | 1h39 | 6:25 AM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Discover the best of Catania — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Catania trip today.
Civic museum inside Castello Ursino with medieval art, paintings, archaeology, and collections that trace Catania’s history from antiquity onward.
Museum in Bellini’s birthplace with manuscripts, portraits, period furnishings, and exhibits dedicated to the celebrated Catanian composer’s life.
University museum combining displays on Etna, volcanology, zoology, and science, ideal for understanding the natural setting around Catania.
Catania’s main square and Baroque showpiece, framed by the cathedral, Elephant Fountain, and historic palaces, making it the city’s essential starting point.
Elegant Baroque street lined with churches and palaces, often considered one of Sicily’s most beautiful urban ensembles for a short historic walk.
Lively historic fish market area behind Piazza Duomo, famous for its sensory atmosphere, street life, and authentic glimpse of everyday Catania.
Crisp fried rice ball filled with ragù, peas and cheese. A Sicilian street food staple, especially iconic in Catania bakeries and bars.
Pasta alla Norma combines pasta with fried eggplant, tomato sauce, salted ricotta and basil. It is Catania’s signature dish, named after Bellini’s opera.
Fresh horse meat, often grilled as polpette or steaks. It is a long-standing Catania specialty, especially around the city’s traditional meat stalls.
Historic pastry and café stop famous for granita, cannoli and Sicilian breakfast. A classic casual venue with strong local identity.
Refined Sicilian dining in central Catania, serving seasonal local ingredients and polished regional recipes in an elegant setting.
Historic seafood restaurant by the fish market, known for ultra-fresh catch and classic Catania dishes in a lively traditional setting.
Moderate for Italy: stays and dining are usually cheaper than Rome or Milan, while tourist areas and summer rates raise hotel and restaurant prices. Local buses stay low-cost.
Service is often included or modest. Round up or leave 5-10% at restaurants for good service, round up taxi fares, and leave small change at cafes if served at table.
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.

Most Messina to Catania buses use the Messina, Piazza Della Repubblica (Stazione Centrale) to Catania, Via Fontanarossa (Aeroporto) station pair, with some services arriving at Catania, Via D'Amico. Use this guide to compare Messina and Catania bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need