Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sicily is also accessible by ferry from Naples, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Salerno, Cagliari,
Malta and Tunisia. Prices rise between June and September, when advanced bookings
may also be required.
BUS
SAIS Trasporti
(
www.saistrasporti.it
)
runs long-haul services to Sicily from Rome and Naples.
TRAIN
Direct trains run from Milan, Florence, Rome, Naples and Reggio di Calabria to Messina
and on to Palermo, Catania and other provincial capitals - the trains are transported from
the mainland by ferry from Villa San Giovanni.
For travellers originating in Rome and points south, InterCity trains cover the distance
from mainland Italy to Sicily in the least possible time, without a change of train. If com-
ing from Milan, Bologna or Florence, your fastest option is to take the ultra-high-speed
Frecciarossa as far as Naples, then change to an InterCity train for the rest of the journey.
If saving money is your top priority, Espresso or InterCity night trains will still get you
to Sicily relatively fast, and won't take such a big bite out of your budget.
Getting Around
AIR
Regular domestic flights serve the offshore islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa. Local
carriers include Alitalia and Darwin Airline.
BUS
Bus services within Sicily are provided by a variety of companies. Buses are usually faster
if your destination involves travel through the island's interior; trains tend to be cheaper
(and sometimes faster) on the major coastal routes. In small towns and villages tickets are
often sold in bars or on the bus.
CAR & MOTORCYCLE
Having your own vehicle is advantageous in the interior, where public transit is often slow
and limited. Roads are generally good and autostradas connect most major cities. There's
a cheap and worthwhile toll road running along the Ionian coast. Drive defensively; the
Sicilians are some of Italy's most aggressive drivers, with a penchant for overtaking on
blind corners, holding a mobile phone in one hand while gesticulating wildly with the oth-
er!
