Giardini Naxos Hotel

No experience with private transfers, but the distance is 33 miles. It might not be too costly. Don't trust teaser fares you see online ("from XX euros per person"); be sure you get a real quote before making a decision.

It appears that Interbus provides service from Taormina and Gardini-Naxos to CTA (perhaps only in high season?), but I was unable to access schedules. It appears that the cost may be 7 euros per person. The next best option would probably be train to Catania, then bus to the airport, but coordinating two forms of transportation when heading for a flight would make me nervous.

What's the cost of a private transfer?

I wouldn't do the train (as alluded in prior comment) since the bus is a straight shot with no additional transfer and it doesn't appear to be only seasonal (however, keep in mind that schedules past end of March 2017 are not up yet). This is the bus website - http://www.interbus.it. It's pretty easy to use. I put in a random date 3/14/17 and got the following for Giardini Naxos- Aeroporto Catania for a one-way trip of € 8,20 (or € 7,50 online purchase). You can check your date of travel. Travel time around 1 hour 15 min (except earliest trip, which shows 1 hr 20 min). By cab or private transfer, it really shouldn't take more than 1 hour to get there (if there's traffic). Look up hotel on TripAdvisor and search "airport" in comments field and you'll see raters' experience with the bus and private transfers. I had no problems with the bus at all - nice, clean modern bus. Luggage goes underneath bus on the side.

Sample times:
6:40
8:55
10:55
13:55
15:55
17:55

(PS. I would look on TripAdvisor or Booking for hotel ratings...I don't know how likely it would be that someone on the RS forum stayed in this particular hotel)

We have stayed 3 times at that Hilton and were quite happy with the rooms, the sea views, and the restaurant, especially the breakfast buffet. The staff went out of their way to make sure we had a wonderful stay. Suggest you e-mail them about the transfer options as we had a car during each stay, and it took about an hour or so to the airport.

Thank you everyone for the information about transferring to the Catania airport from Giardini Naxos. Jerry, thank you for sharing your experience at the Hilton, the staff can arrange a private transfer to the airport. We were not sure how long, or how difficult it was! We are Diamond members so our stay will be free. We need to make the decision between The Hilton or 2 nights in Catania!

Debbie,
How were you planning on getting from the RS hotel in Catania to Giardini Naxos (assuming you end up at the Hilton)?

Hi Agnes,
Haven't seriously decided that yet, I know you mentioned the bus. Probably won't decide on hotels until we book our flights to see how early in the day we depart Sicily.