flights to/from Sicily - Rome

When we went to Sicily we flew United the entire way from Dulles. Rather than going through Rome we went via Munich going to Catania and through Frankfurt on the return from Catania.

Hi Pam,

When we went to Sicily during the off-season, there were limited flights. Check Google flights to see if you can find what you want on different days of the week. For example, one airline flew only on Wednesdays, that sort of thing.

I have included my trip report of our independent trip (in and out of Catania) in case it's of any help. I have flight information in it. Also, please ask if you have any questions.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-february-march-in-italy

Our trips didn't involve Rome, but once we flew from Brussels to Catania and another year from Munich to Palermo. We did spend a night or two in between our arrival in the first city and our departure for Sicily. Use Skyscanner.com to see which airlines go between the cities you're interested in.

We flew ITA when we went on the Sicily tour but spent a few nites in Rome first. I wouldn't recommend trying to do the connection on two separate tickets since there aren't that many flights and if your incoming flight is delayed you may be stuck. But if you're going to try then give yourself generous padding. The flights to Palermo are on smaller jets, 737 size, and when we took it instead of boarding smaller jets like this at the gate they bus you to the plane which is parked out on the tarmac. So you'd want to allow plenty of time.

As for coming back from Catania, your guide will group people into taxis to the Catania airport and we took a flight back to Rome from there.

We booked our tickets for this tour in and out of Rome. We booked more tickets, one from Rome to Palermo and the other from Catania to Rome, both on ITA. On the way to Sicily we did an overnight at the Rome airport Hilton and had a late morning flight to Palermo. It worked well for us we missed our connection at Heathrow and had to take the next flight, so that overnight cushion was useful.

SunnyBlueFlax, John, Pat and everybody. Thanks so much for great advice. Read Sunny's trip report and made notes for restaurants etc.
Since we want to fly United and had too many issues with Lufthansa in the past re: seat assignments, I think we'll fly Washington Dulles to Rome, overnight in Fiumicino (will check out local hotels on tripadvisor etc.) and then go onto Palermo next day. Unless going thru Germany proves cheaper. Should be able to avoid open jaw booking that way. At end of RS tour can get flight from Catania back to Rome to have a few days at beginning of Christmas mart season there. Thanks again. Pam

Hi Pam -
We are going to be on a RS Sicily tour and are adding a few days in Rome on the front end. I booked us on ITA airways to fly from Rome to Palermo and then from Catania to Milan on the way back (we're spending a few days in Milan before flying back to the US). I don't think you'd have to go back to Palermo to fly to Rome.

I like to check on flights with Google flights but then go to the airline's website to actually book the tickets.
Good luck!

125KHP, Thank for tip re: ITA Airlines. Turns out ITA is joining United Airlines Star Alliance partnership but hasn't happened yet. So hoping we can get United miles by flying ITA. BTW if you're going to Sicily and get Netflix, it has series called the Leopard, based on a famous Sicilian novel. Takes place circa 1860 during Italian unification. Scenery is spectacular.

Our Sicily trip starts 25 November.

Our route was USA to Rome connecting to Catania via ITA. Return was ITA Palermo to Rome. Went well. No complaints.