How to get to Taormina: complete transport guide
How to reach Taormina in Sicily: Catania airport, train on the Messina-Catania line, driving from A18 and intercity buses. Directions and cable car info.
How to get to Taormina
Taormina, the terrace overlooking eastern Sicily with views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea, is one of the island's most celebrated tourist destinations. Perched on a hillside at 200 metres above sea level, it requires a final uphill stretch whichever way you arrive. Here is how to plan your journey.
By air: Catania airport
The main airport is **Catania Fontanarossa (CTA)**, eastern Sicily's principal hub, about 55 km from Taormina. It is well connected with domestic and international flights, including many low-cost routes.
**Comiso Airport (CIY)**, about 140 km away, is a minor alternative with few flights. **Palermo Falcone-Borsellino (PMO)** is about 260 km away and only worthwhile if planning an island tour.
From Catania airport to Taormina
From Catania airport the options to reach Taormina are:
- **Interbus/SAIS bus**: direct airport-Taormina connection, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Frequent services during the day
- **Train**: from the airport take the shuttle bus to Catania Centrale, then train to Taormina-Giardini Naxos (about 45 minutes). Total about 1 hour and a half
- **Car rental**: A18 motorway, about 50 minutes
- **Taxi or private transfer**: about 70-90 euros, 50-60 minutes
By train
The reference station is **Taormina-Giardini**, located in Giardini Naxos by the sea, on the Messina-Catania-Syracuse line.
- **From Catania Centrale**: regional train, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Good frequency, roughly one train per hour
- **From Messina Centrale**: regional train, about 40 minutes to 1 hour. Good frequency
- **From Palermo**: Intercity or fast regional train to Messina (about 3 hours), then change for Taormina
- **From Rome/Naples**: Intercity Night train with ferry crossing at Messina, stopping at Taormina-Giardini
Important: Taormina-Giardini station is **down by the sea**, not in hilltop Taormina centre. To reach the centre, use the **cable car** (about 3 minutes, frequent service) or the **Interbus** which climbs to the centre. The cable car departs from Via Pirandello in Mazzaro.
By car: routes and parking
From Catania (about 55 km)
**A18** Catania-Messina motorway, exit **Taormina**. From there a winding uphill road leads to the centre. About 50 minutes.
From Messina (about 50 km)
**A18** towards Catania, exit **Taormina**. About 40 minutes.
From Palermo (about 260 km)
**A19** Palermo-Catania motorway, then **A18** to the Taormina exit. About 3 hours.
Parking
Taormina centre is largely a restricted traffic zone. Main car parks:
- **Lumbi car park**: the largest, paid, near Porta Messina, connected to the centre by shuttle
- **Porta Catania car park**: paid, south side of the centre
- **Multi-storey car park**: near the centre, paid
In summer car parks fill up early. It is advisable to arrive in the morning or leave the car in Giardini Naxos and take the cable car up.
By bus
- **Interbus**: direct connections from Catania airport and station, Messina and other Sicilian cities. Main stop at Via Pirandello
- **SAIS**: some routes from Palermo and Catania
- **AST**: local buses between Taormina and Giardini Naxos
Buses are an excellent alternative to the train, especially from Catania airport.
Mazzaro-Taormina cable car
The **cable car** connects the lower area of Mazzaro (near the station and beach) with the hilltop centre of Taormina. It runs roughly every 15 minutes, the journey takes 3 minutes. It is the most convenient and scenic way to reach the centre.
Practical tips
- **Cable car**: the most scenic way to reach the centre from the station or beach
- **Car**: convenient for arrival but problematic for parking in the centre. Advisable to leave the car at your hotel or at Lumbi
- **Bus from the airport**: the most economical and direct solution from Catania
- **Restricted zone**: Corso Umberto is pedestrianised. In the centre you get around exclusively on foot
- **Summer**: book transfers or check bus timetables in advance. Taormina is very crowded from June to September
