Our 15 year old and I are going to Italy for the 1st time, accompanying spouse who has been before, for work. We will all arrive on a Sun am in Rome. Spouse's client will pay for airfare for him from Rome to Sicily (Catania), but air for us was too expensive. Daughter is a good traveler and we've done train travel in US before. How would you make the decision between train and bus from Rome to Catania in this case (price vs. convenience / comfort vs. timeliness) and could we do this w/o reservations (my preference in case the plane arrives late)? I think we prefer train for smoothness of ride, but what do you think? How do buses / trains work from the mainland to Messina? Do you get off, take ferry, get back on? Do you go to the terminus on the mainland via bus/train and then you're on your own to get to Messina? It has been hard to find out about this via guidebooks. Thank you!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32214 posts
Kathryn, I'd also recommend checking the budget airlines, as it's really the best option unless you have lots of time. There's no way I'd want to embark on a long rail journey after a transatlantic flight! The whichbudget website shows four carriers operating from Rome to Catania. Meridiana is one of the airlines, and has flights from FCO to Catania, with a travel time of ~1H:15M. With budget airlines, the prices are best for those who book early. Be sure to read their Terms & Conditions carefully, as some of the rules and luggage limits are different than airlines in this part of the world. Happy travels!
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
Are you sure you looked at all your airline choices? Both Wind Jet and Blu-Express will fly you from Rome to Catania (one-way) for less than $60. Far easier, not to mention faster, than any bus/train/ferry.
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2186 posts
If you buy a train ticket from Rome to Catania, you will stay on the train the entire way. They actually put the train on its own ferry. Very interesting. You wouldn't need to reserve ahead. The only caveat is that these trains have a reputation for delays.
Posted by
Cary, NC
687 posts
That is a very long train trip - see trenitalia.it or bahn.de for schedules. Even though it is interesting to make the ferry crossing, I don't think it compensates for the very long train ride, especially as the train I rode had seen better days, despite being an intercity. I agree, you should make a further check for air fares, not necessarily on the carrier your husband is using. I flew Air One between Sicily and Naples. Check whichbudget.com, skyscanner.net and kayak.com.
Posted by
Sacramento, California, United States
253 posts
We took the night train from Naples to Siracusa, which originates in Rome. This option affords you a good way to get over jet lag if you are going straight to Sicily upon arrival, but you DO have to reserve a spot, of course. They put the entire train on the ferry for the crossing, for which I woke up so I could see what they were doing.
Posted by
Albuquerque
68 posts
I did a similar trip to Catania this past May, which was an afterthought after I had already purchased RT tickets from Chicago to Rome. After checking all the alternatives, train, boat, bus or plane I opted to fly. I used Alitalia on the way over and Blu-Express on the way back to Rome. While it would have been much more inexpensive if I used low cost carriers for both flights, I wanted to go right from my International flight to domestic without the hassle of having to check my luggage. ( I was ok for carry on for International Alitalia to domestic Alitalia, but a couple lbs over for low cost carrier) fyi I arrived in FCO from Chicago at 8:10am, and was able to get on the 10:00am flight to CTA without a problem. If I used a low cost airline I would have had to wait until 12:30pm to leave FCO.