As part of our Southern Italy trip (Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Ischia and Sicily - 5 weeks) we are looking at ground transportation options on Sicily. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Here are thoughts so far:
Catania Airport to Siracusa - Monday, 4/22: Interbus from Airport. 55min
Siracusa to Taormina - Friday, 4/26: Trenitalia from Siracusa to Taormina-Giardini on Intercity 724 - 1hr50min
Taormina to Palermo - Tuesday, 4/30. Was initially thinking of Trenitalia from Taormina-Giardini with transfer in Messina to Palermo but it sounds like the bus is more reliable and a bit faster. Considering Trenitalia from Taormina-Giardini to Catania Centrale (approximately 1 hr) and then SAIS Autolinee to Palermo (2 1/2 hr). Train station appears very close to bus departure lot.
Palermo to Trapani - Saturday, 5/4: Segesta Autolinee bus. Leaves hourly - 2 hour duration.
Am I missing anything? Advice greatly accepted. I know a lot of folks rent cars and drive but we prefer not to. Thanks!
Posted by
Freedonia
16411 posts
Not sure if you are looking for private transfers but I used Sicily Life when I needed to get from the Catania Airport to Taormina.
The driver was on time, met me at the pre-arranged place, spoke fluent English, and pointed out some of the sights as we drove to my hotel. Nice new car.
Posted by
back in the Americas
725 posts
A few years ago I took a bus from the bus lot/teminal on Via Luigi Pirandello in Taormina to Messina. The Messina bus lot was right next to the train station. Then I walked next door and took a train from Messina that was heading to Palermo. It was very easy. I did not buy any tickets in advance, just got them at the stations. I actually got off at Oliveri and spent one night there because I visited the sanctuary at Tindari the next morning and then continued on my was again by train the next day to Cefalu where I stayed for two nights, and then by train to Palermo but they were all on the Messina to Palermo line. I did a 22 day trip around Sicily and relied on trains, busses and two private drivers. Trains were older but fine. I also travelled by train from Palermo to Mazara del Vallo and from there to the Selinunte ruins and archaeological park by train and bus. Many trains were small with only a few cars and no air conditioning. No electronic signs inside telling you what stop you were at or announcing the upcoming stop. Busses were air conditioned and comfortable. I travelled from Catania to Taormina by bus and also from Siracusa directly to Catania airport by bus. Bought our tickets that same day at a tobacco shop right next to the bus stop. I would not hesitate to travel by either bus or train again in Sicily, whatever best fits your schedule and itinerary. All our trains were on time with no delays. Some of the train stations in smaller towns were unmanned but always with a ticket machine. Don't forget to validate your ticket before getting on board.
In Palermo I used a private driver that I found on Tripadvisor. He drove us for a day of siteseeing from Palermo to Segesta to Erice to Marsala. Without a car I would not have been able to get to all those places easily without a car. He was reliable, had excellent reviews and his prices were reasonable when I compared those of several drivers. I used him for another day of daytrips too. The other driver was recommended to me here on the forum. He drove us from Agrigento to Piazza Armerina to a stop for lunch in Caltagirone and then on to Siracusa/Ortigia. Send me a PM if you want the contact info for either driver.
Posted by
Washington DC
28247 posts
I don't see a problem with what you're planning, but I want to be sure you understand that the Taormina-Giardini train station is below the town of Taormina; you'll need to take a bus down to the train station, so that's an extra step.
Unless the situation has changed since 2015, the bus situation in Catania is a bit unusual. I believe there's a single lot serving as the departure point for all the inter-city buses, but each company (there are at least two of them, maybe more) has its own nearby ticket office. Unless you've purchased online tickets in advance and can go straight to the bus, you'll need to find the correct ticket office for your bus line. Allow a bit of extra time for that. The office might be two or three blocks from the bus lot.
Posted by
2816 posts
Another option would be to take the bus to Taormina from the airport in Catania and then bus and train to Siracusa and then take a bus to Palermo from Siracusa.
We took a bus from the airport to Taormina and it was very easy but as acraven said, you do have to buy tickets before boarding the bus. It took us a few minutes to figure out where--you come out and go right and then you will see the buses and where the tickets are sold. There are different places to buy tickets for the different bus companies.
You now can buy a train ticket from Taormina (or vice versa) to Siracusa that has the bus to the train station included.Look for the option that says Centro. I had done that but then it was pouring the day we left and we took a taxi instead to the train station. It was a 10 minute walk to the bus station which was no issue normally but unpleasant in the rain with luggage.