Thanks for the warnings about taking buses in Sicily. My problem is that I cannot find websites for any buses that run between the towns I want to see, namely: Palermo-Trapani (round trip);
Palermo-Agrigento (one way);
Agrigento-Armerina (for Villa Romana del Casale) (one way);
Armerina-Siracusa (one way). I have checked Salemi, Sais, Big Bus, Interbus, and Busbud, but either they do not appear to serve the routes I want, or the websites are so weird I can't get anywhere on them.
Please tell me:
1) Is it still possible to travel to smaller towns in Sicily by bus?
2) If so, how do I find out which bus companies serve the routes I want?
3) And how do I find the schedules on-line?
Any help would be appreciated.
Melissa
Posted by
Washington DC
28417 posts
I did my bus planning on the ground in Sicily. I realize that's not a very practical approach for those who don't have a lot of time. I can assure you that as of 2015 there was bus service Palermo-Trapani and Piazza Armerina-Catania, with onward transportation readily available for the Catania-Siracusa leg. I didn't go to Agrigento so don't know about the options to that area.
Have you taken a look at Rome2Rio.com? I constantly warn about its limitations (don't trust its fares, travel times or frequencies), but it's generally seemed accurate about the existence of bus service and likely transfer points. To use it, you need to keep clicking through the website until you uncover the name of the bus company providing service on each travel leg, then go to its website. Usually Rome2Rio provides a link.
Even then, you're not home free. You need to pay strict attention to the footnotes on any schedules you find. Few buses are rolling on Sundays and holidays. Be sure you know what days are holidays. Service can vary between school periods and non-school periods. It would not be impossible for an online schedule to be non-current. Double-check what you think you know when you get to Sicily. One of my first stops in each town is the bus station to get information on outbound buses.
Posted by
Midwest, USA
88 posts
Hi Melissa,
I was in Sicily in Sept/Oct 2015 and we only used the buses for travel. We went from Catania airport to Syracuse, Syracuse to Argrigento, Agrigento to Palermo, and into Palermo airport. They were comfortable and timely.
This January, another poster added this information, see link below. It might have the info you need. You'll LOVE Sicily!!
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/sicily-train-bus-travel
Posted by
California 🦋
5298 posts
Melissa,
I traveled in Sicily solely via public transportation in May 2018.
The Lonely Planet guidebook was very helpful to me, especially for transportation information.
Here are the bus companies and links that you'll need:
Palermo to Trapani; Segesta Bus:https://buscenter.travel/en/pullman/
Palermo to Agrigento: take train: www.trenitalia.com
Trapani to Agrigento; Lumia Bus; http://www.autolineelumia.it/
Agrigento to Piazza Armerina; this journey required 2 buses as follow: Agrigento to Caltanisetta (Sais Transporti bus) https://www.saistrasporti.it/en-US Caltanisetta to Piazza Armerina:https://www.astraautolinee.com/ [ Click on clock photo to see bus schedules]
Piazza Armerina to Siracusa; this journey required 2 buses as follow: P. Armerina to Catania Airport: http://interbus.it/ Catania
Airport to Siracusa via Interbus.
You may consider staying in Trapani, as it makes a good home base to visit Erice and Segesta via public transportation.
Hope this helps!
You may find more useful information in my trip report: My trip to Sicily- In Zoe's memory...
BTW, when are you going to Sicily?
Wishing you a great trip!
Priscilla
Posted by
WA State
3961 posts
Melissa,
Just to add to Priscilla's posting, we are following her route next fall. Due to her & Zoe's recommendations we will be staying 5 nights in Trapani to do day trips to the areas mentioned. Yes, when are you going? We are also staying in the same accommodations minus 2. ;)
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you for your help! My husband and I were hesitant about going to Sicily if we couldn't see the top sites on our list without renting a car. But I was able to find timetables on Priscilla's websites for each leg of the trip, so we feel more confident now. We'll be spending almost two weeks in Sicily, in late March and early April. Now we're starting to get excited about the trip! By the way, there is one other bus company I found after I posted on this forum, Cuffaro, which runs buses between Palermo and Agrigento, at https://www.cuffaro.info . Has anyone tried a Cuffaro bus?
Posted by
California 🦋
5298 posts
Melissa,
I’m not familiar with the bus company you mentioned.
I took the bus from Trapani to Agrigento, but since you plan to travel to Agrigento from Palermo, I’d suggest taking the train.
The journey time (Palermo to Agrigento) is two hours for both the train and/or the bus.
Enjoy Sicily!
Posted by
California 🦋
5298 posts
Melissa,
I forgot to mention this on my first reply to you.
When you travel from Piazza Armerina to Siracusa, I’d suggest getting off at Catania Airport where you’ll transfer to the Interbus heading to Siracusa.
Check bus schedules carefully ( http://www.interbus.it/) because if you go all the way to Catania, you only have 5 minutes to transfer to the bus going to Siracusa, and if that first bus is late you may miss your connection.
By getting off at the airport, you’ll have a longer connection time.
BTW, I didn’t book any of my bus tickets in advance, however I confirmed all bus schedules once in Sicily.
I did attempt to buy my tickets at least a day or two in advance but it was explained to me by the salesperson at the bus station, travel agency, or tobacco shop, that I had to wait till day of travel to buy my tickets.
Are you all set with your accommodations?
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7258 posts
I used the interbus.it site the couple times I took a bus in Sicily.