Train from Rome to Sicily

Sicily is a big place. Have you an idea of what you want to see and do there? It takes at least 11 hours to get to Palermo (for example) from Rome on a train. The trip involves moving the train onto a ferry. Personally with 10 days I'd either go to Sicily and only Sicily, or stick with Rome and one other mainland location. No sense spending 11 hours in transit on such a short trip.

Thanks Laurel thats what I was wondering. Crazy we thought we could take the train to some of the major towns in Sicily. Would have liked to have seen Agrigento since thats where our family is from. By mainland location do you mean in Sicily?

I took trains between Rome and Cefalu, Sicily last fall. It takes all day. But I love train travel and seeing the countryside. You could take the train one-way and fly back to Rome from Sicily. If you "just want to get there" fly both ways.

I took the train to Siracusa from Naples, not Rome, and it still took nearly all day. Aside from the fun of riding on a train on a boat crossing the straight it wasn't a particularly interesting journey. If I were starting from Rome I'd fly, but Sicily deserves as much time as you can give it.

Thanks everyone for the help, I think we will do either or but not both

Hi Jo.What I meant by mainland is "the boot." As you said in your last post, do one or the other, not both. Rome + Sorrento is a nice combo.

If you do decide to do both, you would make the best use of your time and money by flying. According to skyscanner.com, you can fly directly from Rome to either Palermo or Catania on Blu-Express for under $50 US.