How difficult is it to drive out of the Catania airport? We plan to take a three day road trip leaving from Catania before our Sicily tour. How difficult is the driving out of Catania airport to the countryside and then eventually driving to Palermo airport to drop the car? We have fewer concerns about driving the countryside than into these larger cities.
Posted by
Paris
7269 posts
Driving to Palermo Airport is very easy, a highway leads right to it.
Catania Airport is a little bit more confusing (weird interchanges) but still far enough out of the center not to be a hassle.
Posted by
near San Francisco
5254 posts
I found it very easy to drive out of Catania airport. I had previously downloaded the Google Map for that area of Sicily and used it on my phone (I did not have a data plan) as a GPS for navigation to my various destinations in eastern and southeastern Sicily without any problem. I did not drive to Palermo so cannot speak for driving to that airport.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7058 posts
Easy. Immediately when leaving the airport, pick up the A19 towards Enna (west), then onto the E45 (exit 2) towards Messina if you’re headed north. If headed south, follow the signs towards Siracusa and Ragusa. You’ll be on the highway within a couple minutes of leaving the airport and don’t have to drive in the center of the city at all.
Posted by
Coraopolis, Pa, USA
1018 posts
We found it easy to exit CTA and we based ourselves in Taormina. Make sure you look both ways and then look again as you drive through Sicily.
Buon Viaggio,
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15773 posts
I drove into the airport . . . twice. I was afraid I'd have trouble dropping it off before my flight, so I did a dry run. Getting in, the signage for the rental car return was probably OK but I still got confused. Driving out after driving in was fine. Worst case, you make a loop around the (small) airport and waste 5-6 minutes. Where are you stopping on the way to Palermo? Are you staying in Palermo and have to drive in/out?