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

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

Is How to get to Syracuse crowded?

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

Where is How to get to Syracuse?

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

How to get to Syracuse: trains, planes, cars and buses

How to get to Syracuse

Syracuse, a gem of southeastern Sicily and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is easily reached thanks to its proximity to Catania airport and good road connections. The city of the island of Ortigia amply rewards the journey with its millennial beauty. Here is how to get there.

By train

Syracuse Station is the terminus of the railway line running south from Messina along the Ionian coast, passing through Catania. Trenitalia regional trains connect Syracuse to Catania in about 1 hour 15 minutes, with roughly one service per hour. From Messina, the journey takes about 2 hours 45 minutes. There are no direct high-speed connections: from Rome or the north, you need to take the high-speed train to Catania and then the regional service.

The station is on Via Francesco Crispi, about 1 km from the Ponte Umbertino bridge leading to Ortigia. On foot it takes about 15 minutes, or AST urban buses connect the station to the centre.

Local tip

Sicilian regional trains can have significant delays. If you need to catch a flight from Catania, leave with at least an hour's margin over the scheduled time.

By plane

The nearest airport is Catania Fontanarossa (CTA), about 65 km from Syracuse. It is eastern Sicily's main airport, with flights from all Italian cities and many European ones (Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air, Volotea, Vueling, and others).

From Catania airport, the most practical way to reach Syracuse is the direct Interbus/Etna Trasporti bus, which takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and departs every 1-2 hours (ticket about 7 euros). The bus arrives at Syracuse railway station or Corso Umberto. Alternatively, private transfers cost about 50-70 euros, while car hire is an excellent option if you want to explore the Val di Noto.

Local tip

Avoid taking the train from Catania airport to Syracuse: you would need to reach Catania Centrale station (by bus or shuttle) and then the regional train. The direct bus from the airport is much more convenient and often faster.

By car

From Catania, take the A18/E45 motorway heading south: Syracuse is reached in about 1 hour (65 km). From Palermo, the fastest route is the A19 to Catania then the A18 south, totalling about 3 hours (260 km). From Ragusa and the Val di Noto, the SS115 connects the various baroque towns in about 1 hour 30 minutes.

From Messina (where you disembark from the mainland ferry), the A18 runs south along the Ionian coast through Catania, totalling about 2 hours 30 minutes (180 km).

Parking

Ortigia has an active restricted traffic zone and parking is very difficult. The most convenient car park is Talete, a large covered car park at the entrance to Ortigia (about 1.50 euros per hour, daily rate available). Alternatively, the Von Platen car park on the mainland is free, and from there Ortigia is a 10-minute walk.

By bus

Interbus and AST connect Syracuse to major Sicilian cities. From Catania, services are frequent (every 30-60 minutes, about 1 hour 15 minutes). From Palermo, Interbus runs direct services in about 3 hours 30 minutes. From Ragusa, SAIS and Interbus connections take about 1 hour 45 minutes.

FlixBus also connects Syracuse to the mainland with changes at Catania or Messina.

Local transport

AST manages the urban bus network in Syracuse. A ticket costs 1.20 euros. The main lines connect the railway station to Ortigia and the Neapolis Archaeological Park. Ortigia is largely pedestrianised and perfectly explored on foot: its perimeter is about 3 km.

To reach the beaches (Fontane Bianche, Arenella), there are dedicated summer buses. Bicycle hire is available on Ortigia and is an excellent way to move along the coast.