Sicily Map and Transportation Resources

Find your way around Sicily with our Sicily Travel Map

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Transportation in Sicily: Getting There by Train

You can get to Sicily without leaving your train, as long as you're coming from mainland Italy. Your train is loaded onto a barge for the short trip across the straits of Messina. Naples to Siracusa takes about 9-10 hours on the train. It will take more time that you think to travel in Sicily on the train, as trains, even along the main lines from Palermo to Siracusa, are notably slow.

Sicily by Car

The best way to see Sicily (especially if you don't have a lot of time) is to travel by car. Cars can be rented at airports and downtown locations in major cities. There is a 14% tax added when you rent at the airport. The three largest rental services in Sicily are Hertz, Avis, and Maggiore. All have presences at Aeroporto Fontanarossa in Catania.

The aurostrade (toll roads) are well maintained in Sicily. You will probably want to avoid driving in large cities, but the regional roads are good and scenic views present themselves often.

Sicily by Train

Although the Main lines connecting Messina, Taormina, Siracusa, and Palermo are relatively brisk, the secondary lines, shown on the map as thin lines, are generally quite slow. The Messina-Palermo run is quite scenic. I recommend a stop in Cefalu (pictures). I have never minded the slowness. It gives you time to see the landscape. I've taken the train to Agrigento, where I recommend a stop (pictures).

Bus services between the smaller cities is available from a number of carriers offering air-conditioned busses at prices slightly higher than the train.

Sicily and Surrounding Islands by Ferry

Ferries service Sicily extensively. You can get to Sicily from Genoa, Naples, Cagliani Sardinia, Malta and Tunisia via ferry, as well as the Sicilian Island groups of Egadi, Lipari, and Eolie, and islands of Pantelleria, Lampadusa, and Linosa. See Ferries to Sicily for Sicily Ferry information.

Sicily Airports

Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA/LICC) serves the west of Sicily, and while the east is served by Palermo International Airport.

Sicily Travel Essentials

For more on Sicily see: Sicily Travel Essentials

Sicily Guidebooks

To purchase books and guidebooks about the island of Sicily, see: Books About Sicily.

Malta

Malta is a fascinating place to consider as a destination near Sicily, with extraordinary archaeology you won't see anywhere else. See The Prehistoric Archaeology of Malta to see what I mean.

Sicily Travel Highlights - A Quick Tour of Travel Ideas

• The archeological sites at Selinunte, Agrigento, Segesta, and Erice (pictures of Erice).
• Beaches at Mondello, outside Palermo, and near Taormina.
• A visit to see the Spectacular fireworks from Etna (Dormant periods at Mt Etna are extremely rare.)
• Circumnavigate Mt. Etna on the Circumetnea railroad.
• Island hopping on the Aeolian Islands (Isole Eolia).
• Flower Lovers see the Infiorata de Noto at the end of May.