Should you attempt to travel in Sicily using public transportation? The answer is absolutely! While driving yourself offers the freedom to travel a little more “freestyle”, it’s entirely possible to have an incredible adventure on Italy’s sun-kissed southernmost island without having your own transportation.
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Benefits of using public transportation to travel in Sicily
Driving in Sicily can be extremely challenging for a variety of reasons, a few of which are narrow roads, high speeds, confusing navigation, and difficulty parking. If this doesn’t scare you and you decide to drive yourself, be sure to check out these essential tips to make your experience a success!
Instead of taking your life, and your sanity, into your own hands by renting a car, why not take advantage of public transportation? You can save money on parking, rental fees, fuel costs and tolls. In addition, being the passenger on a bus or train will allow you to take advantage of the views on your route, especially if you travel along the 900 miles of gorgeous coastline Sicily offers.
Challenges of train travel in Sicily
Speed and frequency Train lines in Sicily are not as fast or as frequent as in other parts of Italy, as they do not have high speed "Frecciarossa" trains. There is also quite a variance in the length of train journeys, depending on which route you choose and the time of day. For this reason I highly recommend that you plan out your train travel in advance and research routes at different times of the day. Use the official TrenItalia website or app to help with planning.
Disruptions Due to the older train system and occasional strikes, there are sometimes disruptions to train service and canceled routes. When this happens, they usually offer a bus as an alternative to get you to your intended destination.
Train station locations Not all cities and towns in Sicily have train stations. Those that do are not always located in city centers, which may leave you with a lengthy walk. As part of planning your trip, make sure you know the best way to reach your accommodations from the bus or train station.
Sicily's major airports
Sicily's two main airports are in Catania and Palermo. There are buses and trains that will take you from either airport to their respective central bus and train stations, in addition to other locations on the island. Here are links with information about bus and train service from the airports of Catania-Fontanarossa and Palermo-Falcone Borsellino.
Best cities in Sicily to reach using public transportation
Although there are some challenges with using trains and buses in Sicily, you can still have an incredible holiday. Some cities are definitely more convenient than others, so here are some of the best destinations in Sicily to reach using public transportation.
1. Catania
Discover the history of underground rivers and volcanic eruptions, tour a medieval castle or a World War 2 museum, marvel at the city’s Baroque architecture and over 100 churches, get lost in the daily food and fish market, explore Roman history and ancient ruins, and indulge yourself in Sicilian desserts and delicacies.
Catania is a perfect place to travel using public transportation. As mentioned earlier, Catania has a major airport just outside the city, with many options for reaching the historic center. For more details on reaching Catania by public transport and how to get around the city once you get there, check this guide out!
2. Palermo
Explore Palermo's unique mix of Arab, Norman and Baroque architecture, soak up the city's culture and Mediterranean vibes by wandering through its narrow and maze-like streets, sample traditional street food inspired by its multicultural history, walk through one of its souk-like markets, or spend a day at one of the many nearby beaches.
Palermo has a major airport just outside the city, and is easily reachable by train or a dedicated bus route. The train station is called Punta Raisi and is on the lower level beneath the airport. Bus service is operated by Prestia e Comandè and can be found by turning right after exiting the arrivals terminal. See this link for more information.
3. Taormina
Marvel at the ancient Greek theater high on a clifftop, shop to your heart’s content in the endless selection of high-end boutiques and gift shops, indulge in granita at the famous Bam Bar, wander through the spectacular communal gardens and take in views of the crystal clear waters below. And no trip to Taormina is complete without a visit to the beaches of Isola Bella, one of the most unique and beautiful beaches in all of Sicily!
How to reach Taormina by bus: Bus service is available from the Catania airport to Taormina, with a stop in Catania. InterBus timetables and tickets can be found here.
How to reach Taormina by train: Catania-Fontanarossa is the closest airport to Taormina. You can either take the Alibus to Catania Centrale train station, or take the shuttle to the Fontanarossa train station. From either of these, you'll take a train to Taormina-Giardini Stazione, then take the local InterBus to the city. Timetables are available on their website and tickets can be bought from the driver on the bus.
4. Siracusa
Spend a day at the Neapolis archaeological park exploring Roman ruins and caves, experience the loud and lively daily market and explore the maze of narrow streets that make up the historic center of Ortigia, discovering mythological statues and mystical springs, ancient churches with crypts, and a seaside castle with views out of this world!
The closest airport to Siracusa is Catania-Fontanarossa, from which you can reach the city by train or bus. The central train and bus stations in Siracusa are basically across the street from each other, so take your pick based on the schedules. The main challenge will be in getting to your hotel from the train or bus station. If you are staying in the historic center of Ortigia it will take you about 20 to 30 minutes to walk, which can be difficult with suitcases, especially in the heat of summer. You may want to check with your hotel to see if they have a shuttle or can arrange a taxi for you.
How to reach Siracusa by train: From Catania-Fontanarossa airport, walk or take the shuttle to the Fontanarossa train station, then take a train to Siracusa Stazione. Tickets can be bought on the official TrenItalia website or app.
How to reach Siracusa by bus: InterBus has routes from Catania-Fontanarossa airport to Siracusa that take about one hour. Timetables are available on their website and tickets can be bought online or on the bus.
Local bus service in Siracusa: Local buses are operated by the company SAIS, which you can use to get around the city and to the archaeological park. The Neapolis is about a 20 minute walk from Siracusa’s central train/bus station and about 40 minutes from the center of Ortigia. Check their website for more information, timetables and tickets.
5. Agrigento
Get lost in Agrigento's cobblestoned streets, meandering between painted houses and street-side restaurants that fulfill your every gastronomic desire. Follow the city's path of "art and faith", past medieval churches restored with baroque facades and modern street art installations. Combine your trip to Agrigento with a visit to Valley of the Temples, an amazingly well-preserved group of Greek temples on a hilltop just outside the city.
The best way to get to Agrigento using public transportation is by train. The closest airport to Agrigento is in Palermo, but you can also find train connections from most other major cities on the island if this will not be your first stop. After taking a train or bus from Palermo airport station to Palermo Centrale, it will take about three hours by train to get to Agrigento Centrale station.
The walk from Agrigento Centrale to the city center takes about 20 minutes. The walk is mostly uphill, so although this article is about public transportation, you may want to either grab a taxi or pre-arrange a shuttle with your hotel or apartment. There is also a local bus line you can use to get around the city, as well as to the nearby Valley of the Temples. See their website for more information, and check this guide out to help you plan the perfect trip to Agrigento!
6. Ragusa
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ragusa is actually composed of two “sister cities”, an upper (Ragusa Superiore) and lower (Ragusa Ibla). Ragusa Ibla is where you want to focus your visit, with breathtaking Baroque churches around every corner as you trek up and down the hundreds of steps and dizzying maze of narrow streets and alleyways. For the absolute best views of the lower city and one of the most beautiful sunrises you’ll ever see, make the climb to the viewpoint at the Church of St. Mary of the Stairs.
Catania is the closest airport to Ragusa. It’s possible to take the train; however, the journey will take between 4 and 5 hours. Your best bet is to take a bus. The Etna Transporti line has routes from the Catania airport and city center that take just under two hours. Once you arrive in Ragusa, you can use the local bus service run by AST. The local bus terminal is next to both the intercity bus station and the central train station.
7. Cefalù
Explore Cefalù's magnificent 12th-century Baroque cathedral, wander through the city's historic center, where you'll discover secret passageways and ancient Roman baths, and buy enough souvenirs to fill every suitcase you own. Hike up to la Rocca di Cefalù for panoramic views and the ruins of a cliffside castle, then relax on the city’s famous beaches. At the end of the day, dine at one of the many restaurants along the waterfront and take in one of Sicily’s most spectacular sunsets.
You can reach Cefalu by train from Palermo in less than two hours or Catania in a little less than four. While there are buses available, I strongly urge you to take the train so you can experience the views of the coastline. In my opinion, the train journey to Cefalu along Sicily’s northern coast rivals views on the Amalfi Coast AND Cinque Terre. Just catch the train from either airport and get your camera ready! Once you arrive at the Cefalu train station, it’s an easy 10 minute walk to the historic center and beaches.
If traveling from Palermo, sit on the left side of the train. If you’re coming from Catania and want to take the coastal route, make sure you choose a journey that goes through Messina and NOT Caltanissetta. It's sometimes easier to take the Alibus to Catania Centrale and book your train from there to Cefalù. For the best views of the coast on this route, sit on the right side of the train when facing the direction of travel.
8. Aeolian Islands
The Aeolian islands offer panoramic views in every direction, an ancient castle and an active volcano, charming towns and pristine beaches. Sample wines at sunset on Lipari, lay on the black sand beaches of Vulcano, wander the picturesque streets of Panarea, hike to the volcanic crater on Stromboli, take a boat tour to the secret beaches of Salina, or escape from it all on the paradise "twins" of Filicudi and Alicudi.
The closest airport to the Aeolian Islands is Catania-Fontanarossa, with direct bus service to the port of Milazzo through Giunta Bus. The bus route to Milazzo is 2 hours and costs $15 one way or $26 for a round trip. It drops you off right at the port of Milazzo, where you’ll take a ferry to the islands. The main ferry line is Liberty Lines, with additional routes offered by Siremar. I recommend that you buy tickets in advance in order to get the departure time you prefer, especially during the peak months of July and August.
Sicily is a treasure trove of travel destinations, of which this list merely scratches the surface. I hope this inspires you to discover Sicily for yourself! If so, drop me a comment.
Check out some of the other articles on my European Destinations page or read more about my Sicilian adventures below!
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