- Must visit
Museo Mandralisca
Cefalù’s leading museum, known for archaeology, decorative arts, coins, and Antonello da Messina’s famous Portrait of an Unknown Man.
Cheapest price
$16
Average price
$17
Fastest journey
3 h 33 m
Average duration
4 h 7 m
Buses per day
6
Distance
135 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Messina to Cefalù is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Messina to Cefalù will cost around $17 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $16.
Of the 6 buses that leave Messina for Cefalù on Sun, Jun 21, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 21 the direct buses cover the 135 km distance in an average of 4 h 7 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 33 m .
On Sun, Jun 21 the slowest buses will take 4 h 53 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.
BUS LP961
BUS L957A
BUS LP965
Regionale 5357 · treno 5357 effettuato con bus PA411 · Autobus SM129
BUS LP961+
Autobus SM131
Regionale 5357 · treno 5357 effettuato con bus PA411 · Autobus SM129
BUS LP961
BUS L957A
BUS LP965
BUS LP961+
Autobus SM131Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Messina to Cefalù among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $15. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 6m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $15, and a train costs an average of $13.
Distance: 83 miles (135 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$16 Average price Cheapest | $16 Average price | $43 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 9m Average total duration 2h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 36m Average total duration Fastest 2h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 54m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Messina to Cefalù:
A bus is $0.09 (€0.07) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Messina to Cefalù costing on average $16 (€13).
Other travel options to Cefalù take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 39m.
Tickets start at around $16 (€13) compared to roughly $43 (€35) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $27 (€22). The journey takes 2h 39m versus 1h 54m 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 BlaBlaCar.
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 Trenitalia | Departure Time 05:35AM | Arrival Time 09:38AM | Duration 4h03 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 11:18AM | Duration 3h33 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator Trenitalia | Departure Time 08:25AM | Arrival Time 12:28PM | Duration 4h03 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator Trenitalia | Departure Time 01:05PM | Arrival Time 05:08PM | Duration 4h03 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator Trenitalia | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 05:48PM | Duration 4h03 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator Trenitalia | Departure Time 03:55PM | Arrival Time 07:58PM | Duration 4h03 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator Trenitalia | Departure Time 07:55PM | Arrival Time 11:58PM | Duration 4h03 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 08:17PM | Arrival Time 03:24AM | Duration 7h07 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 09:17PM | Arrival Time 04:27AM | Duration 7h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $15 |
The table below shows live departures for Messina to Cefalù buses for today, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUS L965A | 1:45 PM Messina Centrale | 4h03 | 5:48 PM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
BUS LP723 | 3:55 PM Messina Centrale | 4h03 | 7:58 PM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
BUS LP729 | 7:55 PM Messina Centrale | 4h03 | 11:58 PM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, June 21 | |||||
BUS L957A | 5:35 AM Messina Centrale | 4h03 | 9:38 AM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
BUS L957A+ Autobus SM129 | 5:35 AM Messina Centrale | 5h43 | 11:18 AM Cefalù | 1 transfer | |
Regionale 5357 · treno 5357 effettuato con bus PA411 · Autobus SM129 | 7:45 AM Messina Centrale | 3h33 | 11:18 AM Cefalù | 2 transfers | |
BUS LP961 | 8:25 AM Messina Centrale | 4h03 | 12:28 PM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
BUS LP961+ Autobus SM131 | 8:25 AM Messina Centrale | 4h53 | 1:18 PM Cefalù | 1 transfer | |
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 Cefalù run on average 8 times per day, taking around 2h 39m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $15 (€13) but you can travel from only $13 (€11) by train.
The earliest bus runs at 04:50, the last at 22:17. The fastest bus covers the 83 miles (135 km) distance in 7h 7m.
Distance 83 miles (135 km) |
Average bus duration 2h 39m |
Cheapest ticket price $15 (€13) |
Buses per day 8 |
Fastest bus 7h 7m |
First bus 4:50 AM |
Last bus 10:17 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Cefalù — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cefalù trip today.
Cefalù’s leading museum, known for archaeology, decorative arts, coins, and Antonello da Messina’s famous Portrait of an Unknown Man.
Small local art gallery showcasing modern and contemporary works, offering a quieter cultural stop in the historic center.
Compact multimedia exhibition space inside the Bastione area, combining local history with a contemporary presentation style.
The heart of Cefalù, framed by the cathedral and historic buildings, ideal for orientation, photos, and evening atmosphere.
A maze of medieval lanes near the sea, full of character, small courtyards, and many of the town’s most photogenic corners.
The main seaside promenade, popular for beach access, sunset walks, and classic postcard views back toward the old town.
A classic Sicilian pasta with fresh sardines, wild fennel, pine nuts, raisins, and breadcrumbs. It captures the island’s Arab and Mediterranean influences and is a signature coastal dish.
Stuffed sardines rolled with breadcrumbs, pine nuts, raisins, and herbs, then baked. This is a traditional Sicilian seafood specialty often found along the northern coast.
A sweet-and-sour eggplant dish with celery, olives, capers, and tomato. It is one of Sicily’s most iconic vegetable dishes and is commonly served as an appetizer or side.
A long-standing Cefalù favorite offering refined Sicilian cuisine in an intimate setting, popular for seafood and regional specialties.
An established seafood-focused restaurant near the historic center, known for fresh fish dishes and a classic local setting.
A recognized restaurant with polished service and creative Sicilian dishes, suitable for a more elegant meal in Cefalù.
Moderate for Sicily: cafes and casual meals are reasonable, while seafront dining and summer stays cost more.
Service is often included or modest. Tipping is not required, but leaving 5-10% for good restaurant service is appreciated. Round up for taxis and leave small change in cafes.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Messina to Cefalù 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 Cefalù, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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