Reaching Sicily for Christmas without spending a fortune? This year it will be possible thanks to the “Sicily Express”, a low-cost train that will connect northern and central Italy with the region, offering an inexpensive alternative to expensive holiday travel. The initiative, promoted by the Sicilian regional government in collaboration with Ferrovie dello Stato, aims to support those who wish to return home for the Holidays without suffering the typical end-of-year price hikes. "An alternative and affordable means at a time when increased demand is driving up transportation prices," reads the official website of the Sicilian Region. The Sicily Express will depart from Turin, stopping in some major Italian cities before arriving in Messina. The outward journey is scheduled for December 21, while the return will be on January 5. The cost? Starting from only 29.90 euros, for a journey that, however, requires some patience: the total duration of the trip will be about 18 hours. The initiative aims not only to facilitate travel for the Holidays, but also to encourage the use of the train as a sustainable and affordable solution for long-distance transportation.