Sicily is an island south of mainland Italy. There is no bridge connecting the two landmasses. The Strait of Messina divides the island and the peninsula known as the “toe of the boot.” Surprisingly, you can still take a train from Sicily to the mainland even without a bridge.
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Passengers on the train board in Sicily to begin their northward trek. When they reach the Strait of Messina, the train drives right onto a ferry boat. The entire train is carried across the strait. Passengers can disembark and roam the ferry, allowing for some beautiful scenic views. When they reach the shore, the train leaves the ferry to continue its overland journey.
There have been plans to build a bridge across the strait since the Romans ruled the land. The plans have never come to fruition due to a lack of funding, changing governments, and numerous other reasons that we cannot list here. The most significant deterrent is seismic activity from Mt. Etna.
Mt. Etna is still an active volcano. The latest recorded eruption was June 4, 2025. With the level of seismic activity and the proximity to the strait, the ground may shift at any time. Building a bridge on land that may change at any point in time is asking for catastrophic structural failure.
The innovative solution of carrying the train on the ferry facilitates crossing the strait with no bridge. Perhaps the most phenomenal thing about this train ride is that it is not expensive! Travelers can make the trip between the island and the mainland without crushing a travel budget. If you find yourself traveling through Italy, remember that the island is accessible by train or motor vehicle.
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