How to get to Sicily?

Transport

By Plane

Sicily is easily accessible by air, thanks to the presence of numerous airports spread across the island, including in the smaller islands.

Traveling by air to visit Sicily has many advantages. First, it is the fastest way to reach the island, particularly if you are traveling from a distant city. Sicily's airports are well connected to the island's major cities, making it easy to travel to visit the many tourist attractions. Flying by air can also be inexpensive, especially if you book in advance or choose to travel during the low tourist season.

Sicily has six airports:

• Palermo Falcone-Borsellino Airport: located about 35 km from the city of Palermo, it is one of the main airports on the island and offers numerous direct domestic and international flights with connections to many Italian and European cities.
• Catania-Fontanarossa Airport: located about 7 km from the center of Catania, it is the busiest airport on the island and offers direct domestic and international flights to many Italian and European cities.
• Trapani-Birgi Airport: located about 15 km from the center of Trapani, it is an expanding airport offering direct domestic and international flights to a number of Italian and European cities.
• Comiso Airport: located about 5 km from the center of Comiso, it is an expanding former military airport offering mainly domestic flights.
• Pantelleria Airport: located on the island of the same name, about 5 kilometers northwest of the center of the island.
• Lampedusa Airport: located on the island of the same name, about 2 kilometers southwest of the center of the island.

Sicilian airports are equipped with high-quality amenities, including relaxation areas, restaurants, bars, and free Wi-Fi. Once in Sicily, visitors can choose from a wide range of transportation options, such as car rental, cabs, buses, or trains. To book a flight to Sicily, one can consult airline websites or use online booking services. Alternatively, you can contact the airports directly.

By Train

There are several options for reaching Sicily by train, both from other Italian regions and from abroad.

Traveling by train in Sicily offers many advantages: you can admire the breathtaking scenery, avoid traffic, and save on fuel and parking costs. Train stations are often located in the center of cities, making it easier to travel and more pleasant and convenient to visit.

Most trains to Sicily leave from the train station at Rome Termini, Naples Central, or Milan Central. The trip can take from 8 to 12 hours, depending on the departure and route chosen.

To reach Sicily by train from Italy, it is necessary to cross the Strait of Messina by embarking by train on one of the many available ferries that make the crossing in just a few minutes. The scenery one admires during the crossing is simply breathtaking: the crystal-clear sea, the mountains rising up on the horizon, and the profile of the coastline silhouetted on the horizon create a unique and evocative atmosphere. Once you disembark in Sicily, you can continue your journey by train, thanks to the presence of numerous railway stations spread throughout the territory.

• Palermo Centrale Station: located in the heart of the city of Palermo, it is the largest and most important railway station on the island. All regional and national trains stop here, as well as Palermo's metropolitan train service.
• Catania Centrale Station: also located in the city center, it is the second most important railway station in Sicily. Regional and national trains, as well as Catania's metropolitan train service, depart from here.
• Messina Central Station: located directly across from the port of Messina, it is one of the main gateways to the island for those arriving from the mainland. Regional and national trains depart from here.

These are just some of the main railway stations in Sicily. The island's railroad network stretches almost a thousand kilometers, allowing it to reach many towns in Sicily.

In Sicily, there are also two cities that have a metro system:

• Catania's metro system consists of only one line, the red line with 10 stations. The red line connects the center of Catania with neighboring neighborhoods and the Catania Centrale train station.
• The Palermo Metro, consists of lines A, B and C. Line A connects Palermo Central Station with Punta Raisi Airport every day of the week but with reduced ridership on holidays. Line B connects Notarbartolo with Giachery on weekdays only. Line C connects Palermo central station with Termini Imerese.

By Bus

Sicily can be reached by bus from many Italian cities, offering a cheap and convenient way to visit the island.

There are many bus companies that offer daily services to Sicily, allowing travelers to choose a time and destination that best suits their needs. Bus tickets are often cheaper than flights or trains, making them an affordable option for travelers on a budget. Buses cover many destinations in Sicily, including small towns and seaside cities that may not be accessible by other means of transportation.

Several bus companies offer bus transfers to and from major Sicilian cities.

By Car

Sicily can be reached by car via several roads and highways, offering numerous advantages to travelers who choose to use this means of transportation.

One of the advantages of traveling by car is the ability to explore the island with ease and freedom, especially for those who wish to visit places that cannot be reached by other means of transportation. In addition, driving by car allows people to appreciate the island's breathtaking scenery, such as the panoramic view of the coastline while driving.

To reach Sicily from northern Italy you can take the A1 highway to Naples and then from Naples continue via the A3 to Villa San Giovanni from where you board the ferry to Messina.

Sicily is only partly covered by the highway network. Almost all provincial capitals are touched by the highway except Ragusa and Agrigento.

• A18 Messina-Catania Highway: this is a highway in eastern Sicily that connects Messina to Catania, is 76.8 km long, and charges tolls. The name A18 has also been assigned to the A18 Syracuse-Gela Highway because there are plans to merge the various sections until a single highway linking Messina to Gela is built.
• A19 Palermo-Catania Highway: is a highway in central Sicily that connects the Sicilian cities of Palermo and Catania; it is 191 km long and is toll-free.
• A20 Messina - Palermo Highway: is a highway in northern Sicily that connects Messina to Buonfornello, is 183 km long, and is subject to closed-system toll payment.
• A29 Palermo-Trapani Highway: is a highway in northern Sicily that connects Palermo with Mazara del Vallo, is 115 km long, and is toll-free.

For those who would like to rent a car in Sicily, there are numerous options available. Major car rental companies can be found in the main airports and cities in Sicily. In addition, there are also some local car rental companies that offer cheaper rates.

By Ship

Sicily is an island located in the heart of the Mediterranean, which is why it can be reached mainly by sea transportation. There are a number of shipping companies that offer ferry and ship services to Sicily, making it possible to reach the island from various Italian and foreign cities.

Among the main advantages of traveling by ferry or ship to Sicily are definitely the possibility of taking your own vehicle with you, which allows you to move with greater autonomy once you arrive on the island, and the beauty of the surrounding landscape, which makes the trip a unique experience.

Palermo, Messina and Catania are the main ports on the island that have different characteristics and services.

• Palermo: The port of Palermo is located in the center of the city, and is one of the most important in the Mediterranean. It has three docks, which allow large ships to dock, and numerous facilities for passengers, including restaurants, bars, stores, and green areas. Numerous ferries and ships depart from the port of Palermo for other Italian and foreign cities, including Genoa, Naples, Civitavecchia, Livorno, and Tunis.
• Messina: The port of Messina is located on the northeastern coast of the island, and is an important trading point between Sicily and Calabria. It has two docks, which allow large ships to dock, and several passenger facilities, including bars, restaurants, and stores. Numerous ferries to Calabria and the Aeolian Islands depart from the port of Messina.
• Catania: The port of Catania is located on the east coast of the island, and is one of the main ports in the Mediterranean. It has four docks, which allow large ships to dock, and several passenger facilities, including bars, restaurants, stores, and green areas. Many ferries and ships depart from the port of Catania for other Italian and foreign cities, including Naples, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Genoa, and Malta.

To book your ferry or ship trip to Sicily, you can contact the shipping companies directly, or contact a specialized travel agency.