Aeolian Islands - Sicily - page 267

and September and much reduced in winter, when heavy seas can affect schedules. Ferries
are cheaper, less frequent and much slower than hydrofoils, although they are less vulner-
able to bad weather. The main operating companies are Ustica Lines ( www.usticalines.it ) , which
operates hydrofoils only; Siremar ( www.siremar.it ) , which has hydrofoils and ferries; and NGI (
090 928 40 91; www.ngi-spa.it ) , which runs ferries only. Note that the information listed be-
low refers to high-season crossings and is not comprehensive; check the respective com-
pany websites for more detailed information. From Milazzo, there are hydrofoils to Vul-
cano (€15, 45 minutes, 15 daily), Lipari (€15.80, one hour, 16 daily), Salina (€17.55, 1¾
hours, 10 daily), Panarea (€17.80, 2¼ to 2½ hours, five daily), Stromboli (€20.95, 2¾ to
three hours, five daily), Filicudi (€22.25, 2¾ hours, two daily) and Alicudi (€27.70, 3¼
hours, two daily). Get tickets from the sales offices on Via dei Mille.
Other year-round services include Ustica Lines hydrofoils from Messina to Lipari
(€22.90, 1½ to 3½ hours, five daily summer, one daily winter) and Siremar ferries from
Naples to Lipari (€59, 13½ hours, twice weekly) and the other islands. In summer only,
Ustica Lines also offers a daily service from Palermo that makes stops on all seven is-
lands.
BUS
Travellers arriving at Catania's Fontanarossa airport can reach the Aeolians fairly easily,
thanks to regular shuttle bus services. Giuntabus ( 090 67 37 82; www.giuntabus.com ) runs a
twice-daily shuttle (one way/return €13/24, 1¾ hours) between Fontanarossa airport and
Milazzo's hydrofoil dock, leaving the airport at 11.50am and 4.45pm, returning from Mil-
azzo at 9.15am and 2pm daily. Tickets are available on the bus. Eoliebooking
( www.eoliebooking.com ) offers a more frequent but pricier year-round shuttle service (€25 to
€35 per person, minimum two people, up to five departures daily) along the same route.
CAR & MOTORCYCLE
Only Lipari, Vulcano, Salina and Filicudi have roads suitable for automobile traffic.
Scooter- and car-rental outlets are readily available on the first three, and both Lipari and
Salina have good local bus systems. Bringing your own car over to the islands is expens-
ive: from Milazzo to Lipari or Vulcano, the minimum cost is €55 each way; to Salina or
Filicudi, it's €70 each way. If you're only visiting the islands for a couple of days, you're
generally better off leaving your car in a garage in Milazzo (from €12 per day); for a list
of garages, see www.milazzo.info/it/garage.html . For longer trips, bringing your own
vehicle can still work out cheaper than hiring one, but note that restrictions apply -