Will be traveling in a group of 6 around Sicily in October 2025 for 2 weeks.
Is it a good idea to use taxi services/ trains (wherever possible) to move from one place to another instead of hiring a car for the entire duration?
Any recommendations on cab rentals?
Posted by
1179 posts
There’s usually good connections to/from the airports and the more major cities, but that’s kind of it. Public transportation is quite limited, especially when you’re traveling across the island. With two weeks I imagine your plans will take you to a variety of places. In that case, a rental car is almost essential.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8081 posts
For 6 people you’ll need a large can or 2 cars
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you all for your replies
Posted by
6 posts
Hi! I visited Sicily in May 2024, and I did a lot of research beforehand online and in guidebooks. For what it worth, the advice I gleaned was to avoid using taxi services in Palermo (please research the reasons given for this). I used a car service arranged by my hotel, but apparently the airport bus is also good. I also read that the train system isn’t as extensive and frequent for tourists in Sicily as it is in the rest of Italy, but that the road system has been subsidized by the EU and is excellent. I was traveling alone and decided to take a tour of the island. Sicily absolutely blew me away! Get ready for an incredible experience!!
Posted by
OP
4 posts
So did you use the hotel car service only for Palermo or for the entire duration of the trip?
Posted by
new york
538 posts
I usually rent a car in Sicily, but last year we did not rent one.
We used private drivers to take us from place to place.
And one our last trip, this past September, we rented a car for part of the trip, but dropped off the car in Catania and had a driver take us to Milazzo and pick us up there after our stay on Salina.
For a group as large as yours, that works out very well cost wise.
Many drivers have vans that would seat six people easily.
I have the names of a few drivers that I've used before; and your hotel will certainly be able to recommend a driver.
This man is based in Licata but he drives alll over the island. His English is excellent and he is happy to discuss various aspects of life in Sicily, history, etc etc. We found him very interesting and most reliable; you should book with him as far in advance as possible.
His name is Roberto Alabiso; he drives a new van; I think it's a Mercedes.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you so much ekscrunchy.
This is such a helpful suggestion.
I'll connect with him for sure.
Thank you once again