I am exploring all options - rental car, bus, etc. but I am curious if anyone has hired a private driver for day trips in Sicily. I'd love any recommendations for both Palermo/Agrigento/Cefalu and Catania/Taormina/Etna. Thank you!
Posted by
The Heartland USA
9337 posts
jennifer, welcome. Here is someone we used and were pleased with: giorgio calò He did some genealogy research for us as part of our day trip.
Posted by
Chicago
2189 posts
Sicily Life is a company we've used on two trips and they're fantastic.
Posted by
new york
533 posts
I can recommend two drivers who we've hired on two trips to the island in the past three years:
- Dario Cafiso: based in Ragusa
https://www.tourbarocco.it/en/about-us/
- Roberto Alabiso. based in Licata
https://www.siciliancc.it/en/home/
Both are top notch; Roberto speaks perfect English.
You do not need a driver who lives in any specific town--these drivers, like most of the top ones in Sicily, take travelers all around the island.
We also used a driver from Palermo airport to Trapani; very popular service:
https://www.michelangelotransfer.it
If you want a d river who speaks English, be sure to specify this when you book; many drivers do not.
Guides are likely to speak English but not drivers.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you for all the information. I will check every recommendation out this weekend.
Posted by
Freedonia
17449 posts
Another vote for Sicily Life.
Posted by
Chicago
2189 posts
Another vote for Sicily Life.
Hey Frank, howiya? Hope you're doing well!
We just got back and used Sicily Life to be picked up at the Taormina train station to be dropped off at our AirBnB. Then their excellent guide Fabbio took us on a tour of Etna, and it was rumbling at our stop at 6000 feet. Then down to 2000 feet and the Gambino Winery, for a wine tasting and charcuterie, Sicilian salsiccia and fried potatoes. Then finally, on our day of departure, we were driven to the Catania airport. And the driver was the owner of Sicily Life Sebastiano, who worked with us back in 2010 when they were a small company.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
72 posts
We received great service from Insight Sicily and Salvatore Coppola when six of us went to visit a small town near Messina from Cefalu last Fall (2024). The communication was prompt and clear plus the very helpful and flexible driver provided was a licensed guide who spoke impeccable English. We were very glad to have a guide and driver as opposed to driving ourselves.