- Must visit
Museo Mandralisca
Cefalù’s main museum, set in the Mandralisca palace, with archaeology, coin collections, and Antonello da Messina’s celebrated Portrait of an Unknown Man.
Cheapest price
€13
Average price
€13
Fastest journey
1 h 57 m
Average duration
1 h 59 m
Trains per day
31
Distance
135 km
The best way to find a cheap train 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 €13 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €13.
Of the 31 trains that leave Messina for Cefalù on Sat, Aug 01, 16 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 trains cover the 135 km distance in an average of 1 h 59 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 57 m .
On Sat, Aug 01 the slowest trains will take 2 h 1 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.
Regionale 5359
Regionale 5353
Regionale 5355
Regionale 5359
Regionale 5361
Regionale 5359
Regionale 5359
Regionale 5363
Regionale 5363
Regionale 5369Omio 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 €13. 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 €13, and a train costs an average of €11.
Distance: 83 miles (135 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€13 Average price | €13 Average price Cheapest | €35 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 36m Average total duration Fastest 2h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 9m Average total duration 2h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 54m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus 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 €0.07 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Messina to Cefalù costing on average €13.
Other travel options to Cefalù take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 39m.
Tickets start at around €13 compared to roughly €35 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €22. The journey takes 2h 6m versus 1h 54m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Direct services run with Regionale, Intercity.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Messina to Cefalù trains for today, Friday, July 31. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Intercity 723 | 4:00 PM Messina Centrale | 2h12 | 6:12 PM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
Intercity 723 | 4:00 PM Messina Centrale | 2h12 | 6:12 PM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
Regionale 5369 · Autobus SM125 | 5:14 PM Messina Centrale | 3h04 | 8:18 PM Cefalù | 1 transfer | |
Regionale 5369 | 5:14 PM Messina Centrale | 2h15 | 7:29 PM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
Regionale 5369 | 5:14 PM Messina Centrale | 2h15 | 7:29 PM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
Regionale 12903 · Regionale 12911 | 6:05 PM Messina Centrale | 2h58 | 9:03 PM Cefalù station | 1 transfer | |
Regionale 12903 · Regionale 12911 | 6:05 PM Messina Centrale | 2h58 | 9:03 PM Cefalù station | 1 transfer | |
Intercity 729 | 7:50 PM Messina Centrale | 2h12 | 10:02 PM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
Intercity 729 | 7:50 PM Messina Centrale | 2h12 | 10:02 PM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, August 1 | |||||
Regionale 5351 | 4:51 AM Messina Centrale | 2h04 | 6:55 AM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
Regionale 5351 · Autobus SM103 | 4:51 AM Messina Centrale | 2h27 | 7:18 AM Cefalù | 1 transfer | |
Regionale 5351 | 4:51 AM Messina Centrale | 2h04 | 6:55 AM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
Regionale 12853 · Regionale 12863 | 5:01 AM Messina Centrale | 2h30 | 7:31 AM Cefalù station | 1 transfer | |
Regionale 12853 · Regionale 12863 | 5:01 AM Messina Centrale | 2h30 | 7:31 AM Cefalù station | 1 transfer | |
Regionale 12853 · Regionale 12863 · Autobus SM105 | 5:01 AM Messina Centrale | 3h17 | 8:18 AM Cefalù | 2 transfers | |
Regionale 5353 · Autobus SM107 | 6:36 AM Messina Centrale | 2h42 | 9:18 AM Cefalù | 1 transfer | |
Regionale 5353 | 6:36 AM Messina Centrale | 2h08 | 8:44 AM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
Regionale 5353 | 6:36 AM Messina Centrale | 2h08 | 8:44 AM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
Regionale 5355 | 7:56 AM Messina Centrale | 2h08 | 10:04 AM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
Regionale 5355 · Autobus SM111 | 7:56 AM Messina Centrale | 3h22 | 11:18 AM Cefalù | 1 transfer | |
Regionale 5355 | 7:56 AM Messina Centrale | 2h08 | 10:04 AM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
Regionale 5359 | 10:43 AM Messina Centrale | 1h57 | 12:40 PM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
Regionale 5359 | 10:43 AM Messina Centrale | 1h57 | 12:40 PM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
Regionale 5359 · Autobus SM115 | 10:43 AM Messina Centrale | 2h35 | 1:18 PM Cefalù | 1 transfer | |
Regionale 5361 | 12:27 PM Messina Centrale | 2h06 | 2:33 PM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
Regionale 5361 | 12:27 PM Messina Centrale | 2h06 | 2:33 PM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
Regionale 5361 · Autobus SM119 | 12:27 PM Messina Centrale | 2h26 | 2:53 PM Cefalù | 1 transfer | |
Regionale 12885 · Regionale 21887 | 12:32 PM Messina Centrale | 2h42 | 3:14 PM Cefalù station | 1 transfer | |
Regionale 12885 · Regionale 21887 · Autobus SM121 | 12:32 PM Messina Centrale | 3h11 | 3:43 PM Cefalù | 2 transfers | |
Regionale 12885 · Regionale 21887 | 12:32 PM Messina Centrale | 2h42 | 3:14 PM Cefalù station | 1 transfer | |
Regionale 5363 | 2:37 PM Messina Centrale | 2h00 | 4:37 PM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
Regionale 5363 | 2:37 PM Messina Centrale | 2h00 | 4:37 PM Cefalù station | 0 transfersDirect | |
Regionale 5363 · Autobus SM123 | 2:37 PM Messina Centrale | 3h01 | 5:38 PM Cefalù | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train 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.
Trains from Messina to Cefalù run on average 19 times per day, taking around 2h 6m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €11 if you book in advance.
There are 9 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:50, the last at 22:17. The fastest train covers the 83 miles (135 km) distance in 2h 2m.
Distance 83 miles (135 km) |
Average train duration 2h 6m |
Cheapest ticket price €11 |
Trains per day 19 |
Direct trains 9 |
Fastest train 2h 2m |
First train 4:50 AM |
Last train 10:17 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 84 days |
Discover the best of Cefalù — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cefalù trip today.
Cefalù’s main museum, set in the Mandralisca palace, with archaeology, coin collections, and Antonello da Messina’s celebrated Portrait of an Unknown Man.
Small diocesan museum linked to the cathedral complex, displaying sacred art and objects that illuminate Cefalù’s ecclesiastical history.
Exhibition spaces within the cathedral towers and roofs, offering historical interpretation and memorable elevated views over the old town and sea.
Long sandy beach beside the historic center, ideal for classic views of La Rocca and the cathedral skyline. A signature walking and sunset area.
Main historic square in front of the cathedral, framed by steps and old buildings. It is the natural starting point for exploring central Cefalù.
Rocky headland above town with walking paths, archaeological remains, and sweeping panoramas. It is Cefalù’s essential hike and viewpoint area.
Pasta with sardines, wild fennel, pine nuts and raisins. A classic Sicilian mix of sea and land, widely loved on the north coast.
Rice balls stuffed with ragù, peas and cheese, then breaded and fried. A beloved Sicilian street food found across Cefalù.
Thick chickpea fritters, often served in a roll or as a snack. A simple Palermo-Sicilian specialty popular across the region.
Refined Michelin-starred restaurant known for elegant Sicilian tasting menus and polished service in Cefalù’s historic center.
Popular casual venue for Sicilian pastries, granita, coffee and light meals, ideal for breakfast or an afternoon stop.
Well-known seafood restaurant by the seafront, appreciated for fresh fish, pasta and a classic coastal atmosphere.
Moderate for Sicily: rooms rise sharply in summer, but dining and local trains stay reasonable versus Amalfi or major Italian art cities.
Service is often included or modest. Round up or leave 5-10% at restaurants for good service; taxis are usually rounded up; small change at cafes is enough.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Messina to Cefalù by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cefalù, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Messina to Cefalù trains use the Messina Centrale to Cefalù station pair, with some services arriving at Cefalù, Hotel Santa Lucia. Use this guide to compare Messina and Cefalù train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need