FAQ
Tickets
The ferry service across the Strait of Messina operates 24/7 with guaranteed departures every 40 minutes. Therefore, it is not possible to reserve a specific departure time. However, you can select the date of departure and use the ticket for any available sailing on that day.
Pre-sale is available only via the online booking platform at carontetourist.it and the C&T App.
Purchasing online allows you to go directly to boarding without stopping at the ticket office. Simply present the QR Code found on the ticket to the boarding staff. Only Round-Trip tickets valid within 60 days are available online.
Unused or partially used tickets can be refunded until January 31 of the year following the purchase. Refund requests can be submitted via:
- Calling the Help Desk: +39.090.57.37
- E-mail: servizioclienti@carontetourist.it
- In person: by filling out a paper form at the Info Point in Villa San Giovanni or Messina
- Online: via the “Refund Request” section
- Your reserved area on the website
Partial refunds are calculated by deducting the cost of the One-Way ticket from the total.
Tickets for crossing the Strait of Messina cannot be modified. However, unused tickets are refundable until January 31 of the following year.
Tickets for commercial vehicles are valid from any port. For example, if the outbound journey is from Messina Tremestieri to Villa San Giovanni, the return ticket can be used either in the reverse direction or for the same route again.
As of May 1, 2013 (Art. 22 of DPR 633/72 and subsequent amendments), invoices for tickets on the Messina–Villa San Giovanni line must be requested at the time of ticket purchase, prior to issuance. First-time requests require registration of tax information via the E-Invoice section on the website.
From Messina:
- Vehicles over 3.5 tons: Port of Tremestieri (Highway exit “Tremestieri”, follow signs “Caronte & Tourist – Messina to Villa San Giovanni embarkation”).
- Vehicles under 3.5 tons: Also accessible from Rada San Francesco (Highway exit “Messina Boccetta”).
From Villa San Giovanni:
- Port of Villa San Giovanni (Highway exit “Villa San Giovanni”, follow signs “Caronte & Tourist – Sicily embarkation”).
On-board information
Most vessels in the fleet are equipped with a bar. Vending machines are also available as an alternative.
Yes, pets are allowed onboard provided they are on a leash and have the required vaccinations. Large dogs must wear a muzzle. Pets travel free of charge on the Strait of Messina route.
Yes, but the LPG system must be switched off and the vehicle must run on petrol during the entire crossing. Inform onboard staff accordingly.
No, non-operational vehicles cannot be boarded. They must be transported via tow truck, and a commercial vehicle ticket must be purchased.
No. For safety reasons, passengers may not remain in their vehicles unless specifically authorized. Passengers with reduced mobility should contact customer service in advance.
Electronic toll services
Available to:
- Telepass Family and Business customers
- Customers with a UnipolMove device
Not available to:
- Telepass rechargeable users
- Europass users
No registration is required. Activation occurs automatically upon first use of the device in a dedicated toll lane. Customers may request deactivation at any time via their device provider’s website.
Advanced vehicle classification systems identify the vehicle category and apply the correct fare. Tickets issued via toll lanes do not require validation at the ticket office—proceed directly to boarding.
- Villa San Giovanni: At the C&T Ticketing Terminal at the end of the highway exit.
- Messina: Inside the Rada San Francesco port area.
No. It is solely a convenience for contactless and deferred payment; it does not provide priority boarding.
- At Villa San Giovanni, only Round-Trip tickets are issued.
- At Messina, One-Way tickets are issued only in exceptional cases (e.g., weight under 3.5 tons or with special permission).
If the return trip occurs within 60 days, the system automatically issues a return ticket. After 60 days, a new Round-Trip ticket will be generated.
To benefit from reduced fares, vehicles must use toll lanes for both outbound and return trips.
If the fare shown on the display or printed on the ticket is incorrect, report to the Info Point or pedestrian ticket office in Messina to request a new ticket and initiate a refund for the incorrect one.
The fare is shown on the lane display and printed on the issued ticket. Detailed records are also available in your provider’s private area.
Invoices are issued by the device provider. Please contact your provider for more information.
For assistance, contact:
- E-mail: servizioclienti@carontetourist.it
- Phone: +39.090.57.37
Report the loss immediately to customer service.
Yes. If this is your first crossing with ADR goods, contact customer service before planning your trip. See: Transporting ADR Dangerous Goods.
