puglia

Can anyone tell me what is the average cost of a flight from Sicily to Malta? I have checked the dates I am interested in June 2003 and found $237 Air Malta. Is this a good price? <BR><BR>I heard that if you book a package with a tour company you can get the flight for $175 but I have already booked my hotels on my own. <BR><BR>My flights to/from Sicily are also already booked. Do you know any other way to get a better price?<BR><BR>Thank you for any suggestions you can give me.

Dave_

puglia<BR><BR>I have read your other thread on Malta, I am going there in June this year as well!<BR><BR>I have not done a lot of research yet but I understand there is a catamaran that runs between Malta and Sicily which takes about 1 1/2 hours. I think this is a popular way of doing a day trip from Malta to Sicily and it supposed to be quite cheap but I don't know the exact price. Malta is only about 90km south of Sicily.<BR><BR>I just thought I'd mention this as a possible alternative to flying if you can't find reasonable flights.<BR><BR>I hope you have a good time in Malta.

Howard

I found the same $237 price from Palermo to Malta. Since you quoted that price, I assume you will be departing from Palermo. The 90 minute ferry is from the opposite side of Sicily. There is also a ferry from Catania that takes 3 hours. So your travel time via ferry will be much longer than via plane. If price is more of a factor than time, you can afford to go by ferry - maybe. The price for the train plus the ferry will add up, so it may not be all that much different.<BR><BR>Certainly if time is more important (if your stay in Malta will be relatively short), then you will have to take the plane.

puglia

Thanks for your reply. <BR><BR>I will be traveling from Catania to Malta. I have looked into the ferry which is less expensive. The problem is the time of the ferry. Since I will be arriving in Catania at 11:30 am and the ferry does not depart Catania until 8 pm. I am considering waiting until the next day to go to Malta which creates another problem. The next day will be Sunday and there is no ferry service on Sunday.<BR><BR>What I am planning to do is to spend the evening in Catania and taking the 7 am flight from Catania to Malta. I have noticed on Travelocity the fair is less than $237 but not on the days I would like to travel. I was thinking maybe as time passes the fair will go down.<BR><BR>Any other suggestions?

GeoffHamer

You can check details of the fast ferry on www.virtuferries.com. There is also an overnight ship (www.sms.com.mt).

Steve_James

Puglia - Have you tried Air Malta online?<BR>www.airmalta.com<BR><BR>I get quotes from $156 return ...<BR><BR>Steve

puglia

Thank you.<BR><BR>I have checked out sms.com and sent them an email...maybe they can help me.<BR><BR>I have checked virtuferries, the ferry does not leave until evening and does not operate on Sunday. Also the return, for the date I have chosen, does not go to Catania.<BR><BR>I just checked Air Malta...at first the price was $170 R/T but was not available except for $234.<BR><BR>Does anyone else have any more ideas?

Steve_James

Besamar Lines also run a ferry or hydrofoil service between Catania and Malta. <BR><BR>Hope this helps ...<BR><BR>Steve

GeoffHamer

I confess I'd never heard of Besamar Lines. Do you have any further information ?

GAC

Have you considered spending a few hours roaming around Catania's historical district, taking in the charming museum of Vincenzo Bellini, admiring his tomb in the Cathedral nearby, and having a late lunch in one of the cafes on Via Etnea near University Square of Piazza Stesicoro?

Patrick

A few years ago I became frustrated trying to find information or meet ferries to Malta from Sicily and was amazed at the high cost of flying. After a lot of checking, I ended up booking an &quot;excursion&quot; fare with Air Malta that flew us from Palermo to Malta, then five days later flew us from Malta to Zurich. That fare was actually less than the original price we got for one way Palermo to Malta. Where are you going after Malta? Maybe you can get a similar deal.

capo

F.Y.I... The April issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine has an article about Malta, calling it &quot;Europe's Best-Kept Secret.&quot; <BR><BR>http://www.nationalgeographic.com/tr...ta_photos.html

puglia

Thank you for your suggestions. I have checked Virtuferries and Besamar Lines, which I think is the same as Virtuferries. I did receive an email back from sms, they gave me the same info. on Virtuferries. I guess that or an Air Malta/Alitalia flight is really the best the way to get from Catania to Malta.<BR><BR>I am going back to Sicily after Malta so I don't think the &quot;excursion&quot; fair will help me.<BR><BR>I like the idea of spending some time seeing the historic district. I think after our long flight from the US and the connection to get to Catania, we will want to relax for a while, then check out the town, get a good night sleep and fly to Malta the next day.<BR><BR>I will keep my fingers crossed and keep checking for the flight prices to go down. Hopefully as time passes the rates will drop.

puglia

I have just booked a round trip flight from Catania to Malta for June 2003 at the rate of $198 including all taxes and fees.

I booked with Academic Tours. They were very nice and helpful...not to mention the great rate! They have lots of information on Malta including all different packages. Check out their website if you need help.

Just thought you'd like to know.