Has anyone taken the ferry from Naples to Palermo, Sicily? I will have a car throughout my trip, and I'm trying to decide if I should take the ferry with the car from Naples or if I should drive down the boot to get to Sicily. Curious about prices of ferry, what the ferry ride is like, and the level of difficulty to obtain a ticket for the ferry during peak season (July). Thanks in advance for the help!

You can check fares, schedules and availability at www.tirrenia.it<BR>In July, cabins and car space should be reserved. Tirrenia now uses new ships on this overnight route, which should be a big improvement over the older ships.<BR>You should also be aware that there is a fast catamaran leaving Naples daily at 16:30 and arriving in Palermo at 21:00. This is a faster alternative to the overnight ferry. You can also bring your car on this vessel. Check fares at www.snavali.com<BR>The overland route is long, tiring, and not justifiable unless you plan to stop along the way.

Depending on where you are going once you get to Naples, I would leave the car and take a plane!!! This also depends on how many pepole you are. We took the boat over night from Palermo to Naples (family of 5). We had a first class cabin. We personally did not like it. When we got off 2 of us got sick, and it made the first couple of days in Positano miserable. We then cashed in our tickets and took a 45 minute plane ride back vs. a 12 hour boat ride. Best thing I ever did.

Mary:<BR> When you said you flew from Palermo, were you talking about landing at a Naples airport? If so, how far out is the airport from the center of Naples?<BR> (We went to Taormina by way of a long bus ride from Sorrento. Returned to Rome via flying out of Catania airport.) Sounds as if flying is the way to go in getting to Sicily.

Susan<BR>I flew back to Palermo from Naples, not to Naples. We went to Naples by the boat but did not want to return that way. <BR><BR>I'm not sure how far the airport is from the center of Naples because we were out sightseeing that day and our driver took us right to the airport from there, although he did have to dodge much, much traffic, and we barely caught our flight. <BR><BR>Yes, I think flying is the best way to go - 45 min. and we were there!