Welcome to the Public transport Sicily world, accessible, varied and full of character. Whether you arrive at Catania Fontanaros sa Airport or Palermo Falcone‑Borsellino Airport, plan a scenic train or bus adventure, or wish to reach the majestic Mount Etna, this page offers practical tips, personal insights and clear guidance.

From the airports of Catania and Palermo to popular destinations like Taormina, Siracusa, Cefalù and Mount Etna, Sicily’s mix of trains and buses connects you to every corner of the island. Think of this page as your starting point. From here, you can dive deeper into detailed guides per city or airport.

Why travel Sicily by public transport?

Sicilië met het openbaarvervoer ontdekken is goed mogelijk wanneer je hoofdzakelijk de grootste steden en bekendste locaties wilt bezoeken. Wil je naar minder toeristische locaties, dan is het huren van een auto, of het nemen van een privé driver, een betere optie.

Traveling by bus or train allows you to:

• Enjoy coastal views, countryside landschapes and local life
• Avoid rental-car stress
• Save money compared to private transfers and taxi’s
• Slow down, Sicilian rhythm

The main public transport systems in Sicily

Sicily has 2 main public transport systems: the train network (Trenitalia) and regional & intercity buses. In some city’s there is also the metro (Catania & Palermo).

Explore Sicily by train

Trains in Sicily are generally reliable, comfortable and affordable. Depending on the route, sometimes it is a ‘fast’ train, but often a ‘slow’ train. Taking a train is perfect for:

• Catania ↔ Taormina ↔ Messina
• Catania ↔ Siracusa
• Palermo ↔ Cefalu

For other distances and locations, often an intercity bus is faster and more comfortable.

Explore Sicily by bus

Not every town has a train station, so buses often fill the gaps. This are the most common bus companies in Sicily:

• AST – Mount Etna, Rifugio Sapienza & local routes
• Interbus – Catania, Taormina & Siracusa
• SAIS Autolinee – Connections between major cities (Palermo ↔ Catania)
• AMTS Catania – City buses from Catania Airport and within the city
  • Alibus – Bus directly from the Airport to Catania city
• Prestia e Comandè – Palermo Airport ↔ Palermo city centre

Please remind to get back to our website as soon as you booked your transport, we have a lot of other great info for you ready! 😉

Airports: how to get from & to the airport in Sicily?

Palermo Airport (PMO)

These 2 options bring you both straight to Palermo’s historic centre:

• Trenitalia train station directly under the terminal (TrenItalia)
• Prestia e Comandè buses every ~30 minutes (Prestia e Comandè)

More details: Public Transport from Palermo Airport (PMO)

Please remind to get back to our website as soon as you booked your transport, we have a lot of other great info for you ready! 😉

How easy is it to reach Mount Etna by public transport?

You can enter Mount Etna from 2 sides: Etna North (Pianoprovenzana) and Etna South (Rifugio Sapienza).

Etna North – Piano Provenzana

There is no public transport to Etna Nord, Piano Provenzana. However, you can reach this less-touristy side of Mount Etna in several other ways. One option is to join an organized excursion with pick-up service, which brings you directly to Piano Provenzana. Another option is to rent a car — this gives you full freedom to explore the surroundings, which are truly spectacular. This side of Etna offers a unique contrast between black lava fields and lush green forests.

The last option is a private transfer. It is, of course, the most expensive choice, but it provides comfort and convenience if you prefer a direct and stress-free journey.

Etna South – Rifugio Sapienza

Etna South is easily accessible by the AST bus from Catania city centre. The bus departs (almost) every morning around 08:00 and returns from Rifugio Sapienza around 16:00. However, there are two disadvantages to using this public bus:

• You cannot reserve a seat online. You can purchase a ticket online, but this does not guarantee a spot on the bus.
• You arrive at Etna South, Rifugio Sapienza, around 10:15. This means you are too late for some of the more demanding hikes, which usually start around 09:00 in the morning.

Tickets, timing & practical tips

Bus & train tickets

You can buy your train tickets through the Trenitalia app, on the Trenitalia website, or at the ticket machines in the train station. Bus tickets can be purchased at Tabacchi shops, which you can recognise by the blue “T” sign outside. Depending on the company, you can also buy bus tickets at ticket counters, on the company’s website, or sometimes directly through their app.

Important: Don’t forget to validate your physical ticket before boarding the train or bus!

Timing

Sicily is a relaxed island — and sometimes the public transport schedule reflects that. Especially during seasonal changes (summer vs. winter), you may experience occasional delays or fewer services, particularly on Sundays and holidays.

Pick-up services and private transfers, on the other hand, are usually very punctual. If you book one of these services, make sure you are ready at least 5–10 minutes before the scheduled time.

Is public transport right for you?

Travel by bus or train if you:
✔ enjoy slow travel
✔ like to relax and look out the window
✔ want to avoid the stress of driving
✔ prefer budget-friendly journeys
✔ stay mostly between major cities & coastal routes

Consider renting a car if you:
✘ want to explore mountain villages
✘ stay in remote countryside
✘ want to explore less touristy locations
✘ plan to visit Etna’s north side often

Choose your destination for more specific details!

• Public Transport from Catania Airport (CTA)
• Public Transport from Palermo Airport (PMO)