I tend to prefer trains but people keep mentioning a bus that's much better? Is it the Interbus that goes over the center of Sicily? (And does anybody know if this is the kind of bus that has a bathroom?) Thanks!
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7895 posts
Bus is probably the most efficient, a common way to travel in Sicily. There are train solutions on Trenitalia, but all require changes and most require some use of bus. The train also takes an hour or more longer (4.5 to 5 hours) vs a direct bus taking 3.5 hours.
Most buses have toilets, though they tend only to be used for urgent needs. Not sure if the direct bus would include a "comfort stop", maybe someone else has some input.
Posted by
Wengen
2376 posts
Currently if you do this by train you will notice that one of the trains is actually a bus.
This because the railway from Catania inland to Palermo is currently being rebuild. When that is finished ( about 2030 or so) the train will definitely be the way to go on this route. Until then you indeed better just take the coach.
Posted by
Western Canada
3386 posts
We did this trip both ways last May.
It took about 3 hours, and there was a stop of 15 minutes at a service station halfway, which was great!
It had a cafe, shop and bathrooms.
They don’t let you use the onboard toilet…if there is one…..unless you would be in dire straits….😱
We booked the tickets online in advance, very easy.
Comfy seats, careful drivers both ways.
We took the bus as it was just too onerous to go by train, due to ongoing track work and closures, and having to change midway.
The stations are: in Palermo, just adjacent to Palermo Centrale rail station.
The same in Siracusa, though that one is just a bench at the side of the road….you have to ask the people waiting there if you’re in the right place.
Posted by
36 posts
We're hoping to take the bus and stay on Ortigia. It looks like about a mile from the bus stop to the island. Is it walkable? Are there taxis or some other type of transportation to get us there?
Posted by
Western Canada
3386 posts
We walked to Ortigia from there, it’s flat, but uneven sidewalks.
We were staying near the entrance to Ortigia, just over the bridge, but if you are staying at the far end I’d get a taxi.
I have no idea how to find one.
??app of some sort?
We did not see one single bus of any kind in Siracusa the whole time we were there.
When we asked people, they were vague and weren’t sure if there were any at all!
We just walked everywhere in both Siracusa and Ortigia.
So maybe try to book accommodation as near to the bridge in Ortigia as you can.