Travelling by plane is considered the easiest option if you’re going abroad. But one woman showed how it’s a lot simpler than you think getting to the Mediterranean island without a plane
Palermo is the capital of Sicily island(Image: Getty Images)
The idea of travelling is fun, no matter what form it comes in. Recently one woman travelled from the UK to Spain without flying and people couldn’t quite believe how much it cost her.
Now the same traveller has tried a different route abroad – and it’s a lot easier than you think. Known as Claire’s Footsteps, the adventure-seeker embarked on the trip from the UK to Sicily and decided to do it completely without jumping on a plane. Although the trip might seem a little bit more complex than one flight, it was an experience Claire would never forget.
The traveller began her TikTok post: “You can easily travel from London to Sicily by train and this is exactly how much it costs.” Claire revealed it’s an average £100 on the Eurostar from London to Paris then you can take a £80 high-speed train to Milan.
She added: “You’ll need to stay in Milan for a night and the best deal I found is £107 then it’s £102 for a sleeper train all the way to Sicily and this includes your own private cabin.
“The craziest part is that this train goes straight onto a ferry, you don’t even need to get off the train, although I definitely would recommend to see the views.”
London to Sicily Train Route & Cost Breakdown
Claire revealed it takes about three hours to Palermo, the vibrant capital city of Sicily. Otherwise you can get off at Syracuse, the historic coastal city famous for its ancient Greek ruins.
She concluded: “And you’ve arrived in Sicily without flying.”
In total, Claire roughly estimated the trip cost her £389, based on average prices at this time.
The travel from London to Sicily without a plane is not easy. It’s a very long journey taking about 28 to 48 hours across multiple trains and a ferry. Also it requires multiple connections, including the Eurostar and Italian sleeper trains.
People weren’t completely set on the idea of travelling to Sicily without any planes.
One wrote: “I don’t know why anyone would do this trip over a cheap flight!! Just why?!” Another added: “Or £50 on Ryanair.”
Is No-Fly Travel Worth It? Costs, Durations & Highlights
Travelling to Sicily from the UK without flying is a highly scenic and eco-friendly adventure. It would feature a rare train-on-a-boat ferry crossing, making it an incredibly unique experience.
While the cost is significantly more than a flight, it can also be stressful as delays on one leg could lead to missed connections. It also requires careful timing when booking separate tickets across multiple rail operators.
Sicily is the largest Mediterranean island and a popular travel destination for many. Located just off the “toe” of Italy’s “boot”, its rich history is reflected in sites like the Valley of the Temples and in the Byzantine mosaics at the Cappella Palatina.
Meanwhile towards the eastern edge is Mount Etna, one of Europe’s highest active volcanoes.