My husband and I will be traveling April 22 - May 22, 2019 throughout Italy north to south, mostly by train. After the Amalfi Coast, we will be going to Sicily. What is the best way (price and time-wise) to get there? Fly, ferry, or train/ferry? From Naples? from Salerno? We want to get to the Trapani region. After our time in Sicily we will need to fly back up to Milan. Thanks for your help :)
Posted by
California 🦋
5211 posts
VIrginia,
I’d suggest flying, via Easyjet, from Naples to Palermo. You can then take a bus from Palermo to Trapani.
At the end of your trip, you can fly on Easyjet from Catania, or Palermo, back to Milan.
Your other option would be to take the train from Salerno to Palermo, but you’re looking at almost 9 hours in transit.
Enjoy your trip!
Edited to add...
If you decide to fly via Easyjet, make sure you read about their baggage allowance policies.
I paid an extra fee for “up- front” seating which allows an additional under seat bag, as well as one’s carry-on luggage. If your luggage is larger than carry-on size (check their limits), do pay for “hold luggage” in advance, rather than paying at the airport which is way more expensive!
While in Trapani, make sure you try the delicious gelato a, ‘Ciuri, Ciuri’, on the waterfront across from the ferry terminal.
Enjoy!
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2788 posts
In June of this year we flew from Rome to Palermo on Alitalia and later returned to Rome from Catania again on Alitalia. No complaints on that airline.
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
I prefer Alitalia because when I arrive from the US I usually have a carry on, a purse to carry on and one bag that needs to be checked. Easyjet is too restrictive, and it usually ends up costing more. Also Alitalia is so much more professional, and God forbid, you are delayed, they have multiple flights to both Palermo and Catania and the price is good.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
I agree with flying, although years ago, a friend took the overnight ferry from Naples to Palermo and said it was fine. The train gets poor reviews.
If you're flying, note that while Palermo is the larger city, Catania has the larger airport with more options. Both will have several flights per day to Milan and to Naples, on a choice of airlines. Trapani airport is much smaller, with flights to Milan but not Naples (so Palermo is your best bet to get to the Trapani region from Naples). Look at Skyscanner to see all options: https://www.skyscanner.com/
If you're using Alitalia, note that their "International" website https://www.alitalia.com/en_en/ has the same prices as the Italian website, and has an English option (the Italian site is Italian only). Both the International and the Italian website can have much lower prices than the US website for these domestic flights.
Also note that, just like US airlines, Alitalia now has a Basic Economy which does not include checked luggage. If you will need to check a bag, be sure your airfare includes it.