When is the best time to visit How to get to Catania?

The recommended time is March, April, May, September, October and November, when it is less crowded.

Is How to get to Catania crowded?

How to get to Catania is a not very crowded destination compared with the more touristy ones.

Where is How to get to Catania?

How to get to Catania is located in Catania, Sicily, Italy.

How to get to Catania: train, car, plane and bus

How to get to Catania

Catania is Sicily's second city, the gateway to Mount Etna and the Baroque Val di Noto, with an international airport that makes it the island's main point of entry for air travellers. Vibrant, chaotic and captivating, it is easily reached from across Italy and Europe.

By train

**Catania Centrale station** is the main railway hub of eastern Sicily, on the **Messina-Syracuse line**. From **Messina Centrale**, regional and Intercity trains take about 90 minutes, with frequent services. From **Syracuse** the regional train takes about 70 minutes.

From **Palermo Centrale**, trains take about 3 hours (Intercity) or 4 hours (regional) through the interior via Enna. From **Rome** the train journey takes about 8-9 hours with a change at Messina or Villa San Giovanni (ferry included) — more an epic adventure than a practical transfer.

The station is in Piazza Papa Giovanni XXIII, steps from Via Etnea and the old town.

Local tip

The train is ideal for moving along the eastern coast (Taormina, Syracuse). For Palermo, also consider the bus: it is faster. For the rest of Italy, flying is unbeatable.

By car

Catania is connected by the **A18 motorway** (Messina-Catania) from the north and the **A19** (Catania-Palermo) from the west. From **Messina** it is about 95 km (70 minutes), from **Palermo** about 210 km (2 hours 30 minutes).

From **Syracuse** the **SS114** or the A18 motorway reaches Catania in about 65 km (50 minutes). From **Taormina** it is about 50 km (40 minutes) on the A18.

For those coming from the mainland, ferries from **Villa San Giovanni** to Messina take about 20 minutes (Caronte Tourist and Blu Jet), from where you continue on the A18.

Parking

Traffic in Catania is chaotic and the ZTL extensive. Best car parks are **AMT Centrale** (multi-storey, Via Neve, about 2 euros/hour), **Nesima** (park & ride with metro to the centre) and the **port car park**. Do not leave valuables visible in your car.

By plane

**Catania Fontanarossa Airport** (CTA) is Sicily's main airport and Italy's sixth busiest for passengers, with domestic and international flights by all major airlines. It is just 7 km from the centre.

The **Alibus** (AMT shuttle) connects the airport with **Catania Centrale** and **Piazza Stesicoro** in about 20 minutes, running every 25 minutes (ticket about 4 euros). A taxi from Fontanarossa to the centre costs about 20-25 euros (fixed fare).

Direct buses also depart from the airport to **Taormina**, **Syracuse**, **Ragusa** and other Sicilian destinations, operated by Interbus, SAIS and AST.

Local tip

The Alibus is reliable and frequent: no need for a taxi unless you have bulky luggage. The Alibus stop at the station is also the departure point for intercity buses to the rest of Sicily.

By bus

Long-distance buses are often the best way to travel in Sicily. **SAIS Autolinee** connects Catania with Palermo (about 2 hours 45 minutes, hourly) and with Rome, Milan and other mainland cities via overnight services.

**Interbus/Etna Trasporti** connects Catania with Syracuse (70 minutes), Ragusa (2 hours), Piazza Armerina and Taormina. **AST** covers provincial routes.

The **bus station** is in Via d'Amico, next to the railway station.

Local transport

The old town is walkable: from the station to Piazza Duomo takes 10 minutes, to the Pescheria 12, to Via Etnea 5.

The **Catania metro** has one line with useful stops including Stesicoro (centre), Borgo and Nesima. The network is being expanded and will improve airport connections.

**AMT** urban buses cover the entire city. For **Mount Etna**, the **AST** bus from Catania to **Rifugio Sapienza** (2,000 m) departs from the station at 8:15am and returns at 4:30pm — an unmissable service for those wanting to climb the volcano without a car.

The **Circumetnea Railway** connects Catania Borgo with the towns on Etna's slopes (Paterno, Adrano, Bronte, Randazzo): a slow, scenic ride that circles the volcano.