We (2 senior New Zealanders) are travelling on the early ferry from Malta and can disembark at Pozzallo about 7am or Catania about 9:15am. We need to get to Palermo by the end of the same day. Which is the better place to disembark that has straight forward access to a bus or train service to Palermo please?
Second question: We would dearly have loved to go from the ferry to Palermo via the Valley of the Temples but the customised trips I've had priced have been quoted in megabucks. Does anyone know a reasonable way to do this?
Thank you . Aileen Gabelich
Posted by
Kansas
1175 posts
One of the lesser known advantages of using www.seat61.com for train travel throughout Europe and beyond, is that he also provides the same excellent services for ferry routes as well. Check it out and see if you can find what you need.
Posted by
New Orleans
1215 posts
If you can't manage to get to Agrigento (Valley of the Temples) enroute from ferry on the east coast to Palermo, note that there is a direct train Palermo-Agrigento that takes approx. 2 hours each way. I took that train from Palermo to Agrigento this past April. Right in front of the Agrigento train station is a bus stop for the local bus to the site (10 minutes on the bus). I am returning to Sicily this coming December with a friend who hasn't been there, and we plan to make a day trip from Palermo to Agrigento during one of our days in Palermo. Look at trenitalia.com for train schedules. FYI: With all of my researching public transportation in Sicily, over the past year, it seems to me that it's unlikely that you will find a way from the east coast to Agrigento that isn't at least several hours long, take 2-3 bus/train changes, and/or cost "megabucks" for a private transfer. The train to/from Palermo/Agrigento might be your best bet, if you have a day in Palermo to swing it.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7053 posts
Pozzallo is a small place not well connected to anything. It is simply a ferry landing port. That's why the ferry line offers a coach bus service to get passengers to the main cities once they land in Pozzallo. I would disembark in Catania if you take the ferry.
Instead of the ferry, I would take an Air Malta flight directly to Catania. It will take only 40 minutes or so, which is much shorter than taking a ferry plus a bus to get to Catania. The airfare may even be less expensive if you purchase early. From Catania Airport, there is good very bus service that goes to Palermo and other cities throughout the island.