We will be travelling to Sicily in the spring. My wife and I plan to use public transit but the trip from Palermo to Taormina is not well serviced by public transit. Does anyone have information re a shuttle or driver that we could use that would be reasonably priced?
Posted by
363 posts
There are blue buses that go between the tourist attractions towns. I found it very hard to fine information on-line prior to my trip to Sicily but easy once I got there. (sorry don't know the name of the blue bus company).
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15210 posts
What's wrong with taking the train?
PALERMO > MESSINA > TAORMINA-GIARDINI (one train change in Messina)
A little over 4 hours and you are there for as little as 17 euro per person.
www.trenitalia.com
A bus would take approximately the same time, and maybe it might a bit cheaper, but I'm sure you need to change buses in Catania.
You can save over one hour with a private car, but the cost would be at least 240 euro.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1883 posts
We've used GetTransfer.com . Not always cheap but very handy. We opted to use them from Siracusa to Taormina last month. We had our tandem bike cases in tow, plus 2 carry on size bags. Option was to taxi to bus station in Siracusa, bus to Taormina, then taxi to our AirBNb. Using GetTransfer, we saved 2+ hours, and a lot of hassle.
We paid $200. (we needed a van, that was more expensive than a sedan) Figured that taxis and bus would run about $100 (maybe a bit less) but the hassle and the time on the bus, we splurged and are so happy we did.
If you plan in advance, you'll get several "offers", and I noticed if you wait and watch, the prices tend to drop.
Pick the one that works best. you can cancel if needed.
Posted by
Carmel, CA, USA
2455 posts
Rome2Rio.com shows both bus and train, something over 4 hours each.
Posted by
Puget Sound, Washington
13 posts
The bus routes go inland via Catania and the rail route via Messina goes more around the coastline. These links from Google have lots more information to sort through. You will need to adjust dates and times in the search. Hope these links help with your decisions. I have not yet been to Sicily (still planning for December visit) so cannot say which is less expensive, most scenic or most enjoyable.