We will be arriving in Catania on October 29 and going directly from the airport to Siracusa. Does anyone have information about the best way to get to Siracusa? Is there a shuttle? Would taking a taxi be a reasonable option? We are planning to stay in Siracusa 5 nights and are considering either the Domus Mariae Albergo or the Archimede Vacanze B &B.
Has anyone stayed at either of these places recently and would you recommend it?
Posted by
WA State
3961 posts
Very easy to take the train. The first leg of our trip was from Taormina to Siracusa. We took the train from Siracusa to Catania. As I recall it was under 2 hours. Not familiar with either accomodation, but looking at a map they were 5 mins. from our B & B. Great central location to sites and restaurants. We stayed at B & B La Via della giudecca x 4 nights. We had a large apartment with a sea view. We would stay there again.
Posted by
California 🦋
5298 posts
Parkbooker,
You can take the Interbus directly from the Catania Airport to Siracusa.
You can check bus schedules here:Interbus.it. Buses run every 30 minutes and the journey is 1 hour and 15 minutes.
You can book your tickets in advance or buy your tickets at the ticket booth located right outside the airport.
I enjoyed my stay at the Domus Mariae Albergo last May (2018), and highly recommended it.
My comfortable room had a small balcony facing the beautiful sea. Make sure you ask for a room with a sea view balcony.
The room rate included an excellent breakfast served across the street at the Domus Mariae Benessere Hotel.
The staff are friendly and helpful.
Make sure you enjoy a delicious meal at my favorite restaurant in Ortigia, 'Sicilia in Tavola'.
If you like gelato, or granita, make sure you go to Gelateria Gusto on Piazza Minerva near the Duomo.
Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3300 posts
I stayed at the Domus Mariae and it was a nice experience. Rooftop terrace with a beautiful view of the sea, great breakfast, helpful staff, convenient location. Even though you might not speak Italian, take in the show at Teatro dei Pupi. For a great lunch with a “show” grab a sandwich at Caseificio Borderi near the outdoor market. Stand inside and watch the team making sandwiches.
I agree that the easiest way to get to Siracusa is by bus. I would forego the 25 minute walk to the hotel and take a cab from the bus station to your lodgings.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7054 posts
It is super easy and inexpensive to take a bus. Ticket booth is right outside the terminal. Catania Airport has very good bus connections throughout the island, including to Siracusa.
With respect to the first comment, there is no train option to the airport - only bus.
Re: the hotels you mentioned, just Google them and look them up on Booking.com or other third party site, and you'll see a broader spectrum of reviews than you can obtain from this forum.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
I've also stayed at Domus Mariae and thought it was a great hotel. I'd definitely recommend it. It would be a fairly long walk from the Siracusa bus or train station to either of the 2 hotels you mention, especially with luggage in tow, so you'll probably want to take a taxi.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7054 posts
I am pretty sure they have small shuttle buses/trams running to and/from the train and bus station in Siracusa to Ortigia. They did at the time I was there.
I stayed both outside of Ortigia and inside Ortigia on different occasions, and frankly, I preferred to be a little outside because it was much closer to transport and it had more of a local feel and less touristy. I would highly recommend this hotel as well: Grande Albergo Alfeo (https://www.alfeo.it). It was an easy walk to the bus/ train station and an easy walk to Origia (about 10 min to each). No water views but beautiful, modern hotel with old touches (not as charming/old as some in Ortigia, but I didn't mind). I paid 85 EUR per night (in early Sept 2015), which was a great value for a really nice place with good breakfast.
Posted by
California 🦋
5298 posts
Regarding Agnes' comment here:
I am pretty sure they have small shuttle buses/trams running to
and/from the train and bus station in Siracusa to Ortigia. They did at
the time I was there.
There is a navetta (small shuttle bus) running from the bus station (not a building but a street where buses line up) to Ortigia.
Having said this, when I boarded one (Spring 2018), the bus driver was very adamant about me boarding with my luggage (20" carry-on spinner)
I explained that I had just arrived on the bus and asked if I could just ride the navetta to my hotel in Ortigia. He said; "Va bene..." (okay), but explained that the navette are for passengers only, and advised me not to board with luggage again.
So...On the morning of my departure, I had the hotel arrange for a taxi to take me to the train station.