How to Travel from Sicily to Malta by Boat.

Thinking of skipping the plane and taking the scenic route from Sicily to Malta by boat? 

Here’s how we travelled from Catania to Valletta without flying, using a mix of trains, a substitute bus, walking, and a high-speed ferry.

Why did we choose to go from Sicily to Malta by boat?

Originally, we had flights booked from Catania to Malta with Ryanair. However, after our epic overland journey from Brussels to Sicily (yes, by train, boat, and bus), it just felt wrong to fly to the finish line in Malta. So, we changed plans and decided to enter our 53rd country as a family,  Malta, by sea.

Part 1: Catania to Syracuse by Train

We booked our tickets via The Train line,  it was cheaper in advance than buying at the station. For two adults and one child, we paid around €36 for both trains taking us through to Pozzallo.

We walked from our Airbnb to Catania Centrale station (although scooters or buses are available), scooters were not a great topic of conversation that morning, we had hired them the day before and myself and Megan had great fun, but Nicola didn’t lol.

The station is basic it has a small café, waiting area, ticket office, and a few platforms. Not much there, I wouldn’t recommend heading too early we ended up grabbing a beer and sitting on the platform with it.

The train we were taking left from platform 3. This was clearly indicated on all the departure boards, but getting to platform 3 seemed to be a mystery for some. We were asked a few times how to get over to platform 3, but like most stations in Europe, it wasn’t that difficult! You just walked down the stairs, through the underpass, and up the stairs next to the platform you wanted!

Our train to Syracuse left exactly on time at 12:40 PM. It was a packed train, until the airport and then most people got off.  If you’re travelling with suitcases, make sure they’re secure as I did see a few flying about the place. There was space for bikes, plus one toilet onboard.

The scenery wasn’t especially exciting, we had a mixture of vineyards and distant sea views. Megan, as always, slept the whole way.

We arrived in Syracuse at 2:00 PM with a short wait for the next train to Pozzallo. All going to plan and really easy so far……

Part 2: Syracuse to Pozzallo – Train Cancelled.

This is where it went a bit wrong….

We nearly missed the connection due to confusing platforms in such a small station. Syracuse has a “Platform 2” and a “Platform 2 West,” and they are not the same. It was only because I decided to go to the shop to get a beer that I noticed a sign pointing to another set of platforms. I asked the conductor where the train to Pozzallo left from, and he pointed around the corner. Nicola was sitting with Megan on the other platform. I first made sure I got my beer, then ran back to get them (priorities)!

Once I told them the good news and that we needed to move swiftly, we followed the signs and made our way to Platform 2 West through a building site, to where a crowd was gathering, this was an obvious sign we were at least at the right platform this time.

The next problem we encountered, while waiting in the 34°C heat, was finding out that our train had been cancelled. It just popped up on the board saying cancelled. Why the ticket conductor didn’t tell me this when I asked where the train left from, I’ll never know. They must have known at least 10 minutes earlier…

Thankfully, as we headed back to the waiting room to figure out what we were going to do **panic starting to kick in.** I spotted a replacement coach across the road. We threw our bags underneath, as the driver wouldn’t let them on board, and climbed aboard. I was a bit concerned since our passports and ‘doggy’ (Megan’s dog) were in the bags under the bus, so Megan was on bag-check duty at every stop to make sure no one grabbed them.

The 90-minute journey turned into a much longer one, as we had to leave the main roads and wind our way through small towns like Noto to drop people off at train stations. We arrived in Pozzallo around 45 minutes behind schedule, proving that booking the later ferry was the right choice. I was never so glad to get off that bus, it was hot, boring, and tempers were starting to flare between passengers and the driver.

Part 3: Pozzallo Bus Stop to Port – Walk or Uber?

We were dropped off at a random stop in Pozzallo. It was only then that I checked the map and saw it was right beside the train station.

There were two options for getting to the port:

1. Walk 45 minutes in the heat, or
2. Pay around €35 for an Uber—which, according to the app, could have taken a while to arrive.

Taking no risks, we opted to walk… and it was brutal. Backpacks, full sun, and a grumpy child, with nowhere open to even get a drop of water.

We stopped at the Virtu Ferries office for directions for the final stretch. They said it was “five more minutes,” but it was more like another 15.

I would have loved to video’ed Megan’s rant about the “lies we were told” by the office, it was brilliant. You can kinda see her arm movement in the photo.

We did have a bit of fun on the walk. There was an older couple we felt like we were racing against, kind of like Race Across The World. Even with Megan in a bad mood, she wasn’t about to let them beat us! (Yes, we won.) Wonder if they knew it was a race lol.

Eventually, we arrived at the terminal, dropped our bags outside, and grabbed a well-earned €4 Cisk beer. At that moment, it was the nicest beer I’ve ever had.

I would not recommend walking that distance in that heat, it was absolutely horrible. Maybe check with Virtu Ferries to see if they offer anything to help, like a pre-booked taxi. I don’t think I would risk trying to get an Uber or an actual taxi, I didn’t see one taxi the entire time.

Part 4: Boarding the Pozzallo to Valletta Ferry

You can board up to 90 minutes before departure and the latest is 60 minutes. The ferry leaves from Pozzallo daily, with Virtu Ferries operating most sailings.

We drank our beers and headed for the ferry as soon as boarding opened.

After airport-style security (you can bring drinks and fluids) and passport checks, we walked across the dock, climbed the stairs and boarded the boat to Malta. *It isn’t a proper passport check more of an ID check done here and none done in Malta as both are in the Schengen Area.

There were plenty of seating options on the deck, including an area out the back. We opted to sit at the very front in what was a quieter area.

Our ferry to Valletta left at 7:00 PM, costing €270 for the three of us. Not cheap, but all part of the adventure!

Part 5: The Journey to Valletta, Malta

The crossing took about 1 hour 45 minutes. We chilled at the front of the boat, enjoyed a couple of beers, and watched the sea go by.

There was also a hot food counter, a shop, a mini casino and a few TV’s scattered about. I tried my luck on a 5 cent roulette machine and won nothing. The shop wasn’t cheap, but to be honest drinks and snacks I thought where a good price.

The real buzz hit when we sailed into Valletta’s Grand Harbour at sunset, I had been down the back taking photos of the sunset and then went to tell Nicola and Megan we were coming into the Grand Harbour.

I then ran to the back to take photos on the deck… only to find half the boat had been cordoned off, I assume they do this so everyone doesn’t head to the back for the view. I was gutted, but I did enjoy the view through the dirty windows of the boat..

We docked, waited as car passengers disembarked first, and then finally stepped off into Malta – our 53rd country!

Arrival in Malta

Customs and security was a breeze, and all a really short walk from where the ferry docked. We were outside in minutes, waiting on our (delayed) Uber to our hotel in Valletta. The only hassle?  A very drunk passenger causing a scene while waiting to get off, I hope he enjoyed his chat with security in the terminal as he was being a pain in the ass.

There were plenty of taxis waiting outside, but I’m not a very trusting person and especially don’t trust taxi drivers. We decided instead of walking to get an Uber, but that became a bit of a drama between drivers not coming to get us, and a driver turning up with their family (that was interesting watching them get kicked our for us), but eventually we got to our hotel in Valletta.

Was Travelling from Catania to Valletta by Boat Worth It?

Honestly? No. Flying would’ve been much easier, cheaper, and faster. However, we don’t regret doing it, it was all part of our experience of travelling from Belgium to Malta without using a plane.

Would we do it again? Probably not. 

Quick Travel Tips for Sicily to Malta by boat

• No direct ferry from Catania – travel via Pozzallo
• Book trains in advance on Trainline to save money
• Allow for delays – Sicily’s train system is… unpredictable
• Consider Uber to the port from Pozzallo station
• Book ferry tickets on Virtu Ferries or third-party sites
• Ferry crossing takes 1h 45m
• Bring snacks, water, and a sense of adventure.

Got questions about getting from Sicily to Malta by boat?

We’d love to help if you’re planning of going from Sicily to Malta by boat. Just leave a comment below or drop us a message! Have a read of our other crossing borders from around the world.

The Lewis Family