Milazzo is well-connected by both rail and road. The train station is on the main Palermo–Messina line; from Messina the journey takes about 35 minutes, from Palermo roughly 2.5 hours. The hydrofoil and ferry terminal for the Aeolian Islands is a short walk from the station.
By car from Messina, take the A20 motorway west and exit at Milazzo — about 40 km. From Palermo, the A20 runs the full length of the northern Sicilian coast.
Hydrofoils (aliscafi) and ferries to the Aeolian Islands depart from the Porto di Milazzo throughout the day in summer, with reduced service in winter. Liberty Lines and Siremar are the main operators; book ahead in July and August. The crossing to Lipari takes about 45 minutes by hydrofoil, 1.5 hours by ferry.