Thank you for the reply Another question. Is travel between Palermo and say Syracusa easy by Eurorail? Also once on the East Calabria is of interest as a pas thru to Amalfi and ultimately back to Rome for departure. If we start in Palermo, stay 3 days and see those sights, then travel to Erice, Agrigento, and on to Syracusa and Taormina and Mt Etna for say another 3 or 4 days, can we get a train to Messina and ferry to Calabria? From Calabria can we train to Amalfi or should we drive. I am trying to have this trip flow. Any other suggestions?
Thank you
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
First, Erice is close enough to Palermo to be a daytrip. You can take the train from Palermo to Siracusa with a change in Catania, or take the bus frm Catania to Siracusa if that is easier to schedule. Then you can take a train or bus to Taormina, and from Taormina take the train to the mainland. You can buy a ticket from Taormina to either Salerno or Naples (there may be a change in Messina). To cross from Sicily to the mainland, the train cars or bus get loaded onto the ferry and unloaded (and hooked back up) in Villa San Giovanni, but you don't have to disembark.
Posted by
OP
Philadelphia
7 posts
Thank you. Are the trains in Sicily the high speed trains or a commuter variety. Do you need to buy advance tickets?
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Most are regional trains, they go long distances but are not the fastest. Go to trenitalia.com and enter the dates you want to travel to compare options. As far as 120 days out you can find super-saver fares, but they go fast and if your plans change you forfeit the ticket.
Posted by
Gaston, Oregon, USA
931 posts
Whatever you do, DO NOT take the train from Mesina to Amalfi; it is a slow, long and boring ride. Been there...done that...nver again. Use Skyscanner or Whichbudget.com to fly out of Palermo or Catania to Naples or Rome on one of the many awesome lo-cost inter EU airlines; just be mindful of their weight and luggage restrictions. The best way to see Sicily is with a rental car. Fly in or out and pick up your rental there.