Sicily Transport

Travel in Sicily is rarely done by plane, as the island is well serviced by its bus and train system. However, there are domestic flights from Palermo to the island of Pantelleria and the Pelagie islands, which are part of Sicily. The trains offer an affordable and convenient way to get around the main towns of Sicily. If you are travelling to a smaller village then the bus will most likely be able to take you there. For many visitors, the best option is to rent a car. Many of the island’s nicest spots are far from any train or bus stop and the convenience of hiring a car is unbeatable. 

By train

Unless you are trying to get to a remote town or village, the train is the best way to get around the island. All of the larger cities in Sicily are on the railway network and the fares are quite reasonable. The trains are operated by Ferrovie dello Stato, the Italian State railway (tel: +39 892 021), which offers several ticketing options. A Trenitalia Pass lets you choose the days you want to travel within a two-month period. An even cheaper version of this is the Trenitalia Pass Saver, which simply requires two people to travel together each time.

There are two main classes of train in Sicily. The newer InterCity (IC) trains are modern, have air conditioning and make only limited stops. The slower trains are classed as Diretto, Espresso and Interregionale. They tend to stop at every town and village along the way, so it is worth the extra money to buy a ticket on the InterCity trains if you are short on time. Trains in Sicily tend to get very crowded on weekends and holidays, so it’s best to book your tickets in advance if travelling on those days.

By bus

If the train can’t get you where you want to go, then chances are that a bus can. There is usually a local bus which will stop at even the smallest hamlet. Of course, you can also take a bus between the big cities in Sicily, but the fares are often more expensive than the train. The major intercity bus company in Sicily is SAIS (tel: +39 091 616 028). They mainly provide service between the larger towns, so you may need to transfer to a local bus to get to a tiny village.

Tickets are purchased on the bus when you board. In the bigger cities, you can buy your ticket ahead of time at the bus terminal to confirm your seat. In general, Sundays are bad days to travel by bus, as the schedules are often shortened, changed or no services are in operation.

If you are using the local bus system within a city like Palermo, you must buy your ticket before boarding. Once on the bus, the driver will validate your ticket. Local bus tickets can be bought at newspaper kiosks, tobacconists and ticket booths.

Taxis

Rates for taxi travel vary from city to city, but in general they are rather expensive. All taxis are metered, but there are additional tariffs from 22:00 until 07:00 and on all holidays. Taxis in Sicily will rarely stop for you if you try and hail them on the street. You can call a taxi by phone, but be aware that the meter starts running the minute the driver pulls out of his station.

Tourist services

For something different, you should take a sunset bus tour to Mount Etna. Buses depart from Taormina on Mondays and Wednesdays at 15:00 before returning at 22:30. The guided jeep tour takes you to the top of the crater for a dramatic sunset. This tour adventure only runs from June to October (tel: +39 9042 625301). 

From the airport

Visitors arriving at Palermo’s airport have several transportation options. A regular shuttle train runs between the airport and the central train station in Palermo every six minutes between 05:40 and 23:40. The train ride takes about 55 minutes and is very affordable. You can also take bus number 29, which is run by the Prestia e Comande bus company, to the central train station, with services operating several times during the day, but not after midnight. The cost is the same as the train and the journey takes just as long. It is also easy to reach Palermo by car. The city centre and the airport are connected by the A29/E90 motorway and the drive takes around 30 minutes. Taxis are also ready and waiting outside the Arrivals Hall, but the cost is very expensive compared to the bus or the train.

From Catania’s airport the best transportation choice is the bus, with Alibus running buses every 20 minutes from the airport from 05:00 until 24:00, with stops at Piazza Stesicoro in the city centre and at the train station. The 25-minute trip is very affordable. There is no train service from Catania’s airport, but you can grab a taxi from outside the terminal. There are several car hire companies in the airport and the drive into town is simple, but it’s advisable to book your car online ahead of time to save time and money.