I am planning a trip to Sicily in the spring and will be flying into Catania and flying out of Palermo. We wish to visit Ortigia and Taormina before heading to Palermo to fly back to Rome. We will not have a car and will be travelling by train or bus. What is the best route to do this without having to backtrack. Thank you.
Posted by
Washington DC
28247 posts
Taormina is north of Catania; Siracusa is south of Catania. Transportation to Palermo will either be along the east coast then along the north coast (I assume with a change in Messina) or across the interior, departing from Catania. There is no way you can avoid backtracking. Distances along the east coast are not great, however.
Posted by
2816 posts
The most efficient way is probably going first to Taormina, then Ortigia, then Palermo.
We took a bus from Catania airport to Taormina and then a train to Siracusa (our air bnb owner picked us up from train station to take us to Ortigia but could take a taxi). We rented a car then to tour the island and ended up in Palermo after depositing car at airport.
The best alternative for public transportation from Siracusa to Palermo is the bus. The train is much slower.It appears that Interbus has at least one direct (no changes) bus a day from Siracusa to Palermo. It is 15.20 Euros and takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Posted by
Western Canada
3514 posts
We took the InterBus last year that Beth recommended above.
Book online in advance.
Very comfy, with a 15-20 minute rest stop at a service area halfway for snacks and a bathroom break.
We had very careful drivers both ways, Palermo to Siracusa and return.
I recommend it too!
We took trains from Palermo to Cefalu and to Agrigento for day trips.
Very easy.
Posted by
1045 posts
The bus is, by and large, the best way to get around Sicily. More comfortable, with generally better pickup and drop off points than any train. Getting a bus at Catania airport direct to Taormina or Ortigia is very easy, with regular departures right outside the exit. I would probably go to Taormina first, then Ortigia. I suspect this will work a little better, but you’ll have to look at the schedules to see what works for you.
Posted by
OP
Toronto
20 posts
Thank you!
Posted by
Chicago
2100 posts
In April 2025, we will be finishing up a 16-day train trip with stops in Florence--->Rome--->Salerno by taking the train to Taormina, with the highlight being the train/ferry over the Strait of Messina. We will spend 4 nights there, then will hire transport to take us to the Catania airport for a Lufthansa flight to Munich, then home to Boston.
While in Taormina we will employ Sicily Life, who we used 15 years ago for our transports and a couple of attractions, such as some catacombs and the Godfather tour, which took us up the mountain to the towns of Castelmola, Forza D'Agro and Savoca, where Godfather I was filmed. Fascinating. This time we hope to do one of their gastronomic tours on the slopes of Mt. Etna, only if it stops erupting!