Overnight Train or Ferry in Italy
 

We will be traveling in July from Naples to Cefalu. What would be the best option, an overnight train or an overnight ferry? I have read some of the less than positive comments about the overnight trains and I am getting concerned.

There will be six of us traveling 4 adults 2 children.

Will top this for you. Undoubtedly if you wait around long enough you'll probably get just as many "less than positive" comments about the ferries, too..hopefully not but you know the odds...

There are two companies running overnight ships from Napoli to Palermo (www.tirrenia.it, www.snav.it). In Palermo, you'd need to get a bus or taxi to the station, then a train to Cefalu.
The ships have bars, lounges, restaurants, and a variety of cabins with bathrooms. Facilities on the night trains are very limited. If you have the choice, then the ships are much more comfortable. The train has the advantage that it'll take you from Napoli to Cefalu.

If you were going to spend some time in Palermo, even a couple of hours to see the Cathedral and the Cappella Palatina, I would highly recommend taking the overnight car ferry, and book a quad and a twin cabin.

The Tirrenia ferry is a little more expensive than the SNAV ferry, but amenities and crossing schedules are comparable.

Otherwise, it's MUCH more efficient to simply take a night train and book two couchette compartments (preferably the C4 "Comfort Couchettes" which accommodate up to four adults each. If you purchase in advance with the "Freedom to Travel" promotional fare, you can get these couchettes for as little as 45 Euros per bunk (the regular fare is 54.37 Euros per bunk).

BETTER STILL, you can request two triple bed compartments for 59.39 Euros per person (or 45 Euros with the promotional rate).

Note that two children under the age of 4 who together occupy ONE bunk or bed only pay one ticket. Alternatively, a child under 4 can travel free if not occupying a separate bunk or bed.

www.trenitalia.com
www.tirrenia.it
www.snav.it

For the same promotional rate of 45 Euros per person, you could also book THREE TWIN compartments on the night train between Naples and Cefalu (normal fare is 66.10 Euros per person), in lieu of TWO TRIPLE compartments or TWO C4 Comfort Couchette compartments (total of 8 bunks). The Twins are more comfortable than the Triples, which are more comfortable than the C4 Comfort Couchettes, yet the per-person promotional price remains the same in all three cases!

On the car ferry, you would likely need to book a quad cabin plus a twin cabin, or two quads, or three twins. If you booked two quads, you would pay a 50% supplement for each unoccuplied berth.

Travelling in July, you would need to book either the ferry cabins OR the train compartments well in advance (60 days). The trains can't be booked MORE than 60 days beforehand. You can book the ferry cabins immediately for the entire year.

Thank you for all the great information. I know some people say it is hard to sleep on the train, are the ferries easier to sleep on. The price of both are very similar, so unless I am missing something the ferry might be a better option.

We don't mind arriving in Palermo, we have to get a rental car there (if we can find one)so we were planning on spending a day there anyways.

Take the ferry. You will much prefer it.

I like using overnight trains but, if there is the option of an overnight ship, they are generally much more comfortable. Cabins on modern ferries all have a shower and toilet and are much more comfortable than a sleeping compartment on a train - the choice of accommodation is greater. The ship will also have lounges, bars and restaurants. They may be other factors: the overnight train from Napoli probably gives you more time in Napoli, whereas the ship leaves before dinner. Both are likely to be heavily booked in July. I did a Palermo-Napoli crossing before Christmas and was told that people are less keen on using the ferry in winter, but that the trains from Sicily to Roma were fully booked around the Christmas holiday.