Messina is connected to mainland Italy by constant ferry and hydrofoil services across the strait. The crossing from Villa San Giovanni (the main rail ferry terminal) takes around 20 minutes for the ferry; hydrofoils from Reggio Calabria dock in the centre of Messina in around 15 minutes. Train passengers travel on the ferries with their carriages — the train literally drives onto the boat — which is one of the more unusual rail experiences in Europe. The ferry terminal is central and well-served by connections throughout the day and into the night.
By rail, Messina is on the main Sicilian coastal line with trains to Palermo (around 3 hours), Catania (1.5 hours), and Taormina (under an hour). The Stazione Centrale is close to the ferry port. By road, the A18 motorway runs south towards Catania and Taormina; Route SS114 is slower but more scenic along the coast. The nearest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa, about 90 minutes south; Palermo airport is around 2.5 hours away. Reggio Calabria airport on the mainland is just across the strait and a viable option for those connecting from the north.