I imagine having a car is faster, but are there other considerations we should be aware of that make taking buses preferable? The trains are comfortable and reliable most of the time. Tickets are only valid for a short time after stamping. Then you travel through the countryside for much of the middle part of the train trip. Buses offer faster, more direct service on certain intercity routes where train connections are inconvenient, such as Catania to Agrigento, Syracuse to Palermo, or Palermo to Trapani. Here's what she saw . To make the most of day 2 of your 10-day Sicily itinerary, I recommend getting up early and heading to the Monreale Cathedral.It's about 30 minutes from the center of Palermo by car, and it's one of the island's most famous cathedrals, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We work with more than 100 partners to offer you the best prices on the market. The atmosphere of fading glory on the peeling buildings was reason enough to celebrate. Here is our tip for people stayingin the area of Taormina, Letojanni and Giardini-Naxos: if you dont want to spend a whole day in Cataniaand would like to see something of the magnificent landscape aroundMount Etna, take the first train ofCircumetneain Giarre or Riposto in the morning. This is a great way to visit our magnificent Baroque wonders - and your childrenwon't complain too much about the ever so boring sightseeing because they will love the ride on this historical train with a steam engine. Everyone seems to hire a car, and all the advice seems to be against the use of public transport, especially trains. Read our Privacy Policy. They are run by Ferrovie dello Stato and schedules can be checked online here. There is no fast train service in Sicily. In western Sicily, blessed with pleasant weather, my trip took a more predictable turn. Do not pass this up. Please check on site. Are you looking for train times for regional trains in Sicily? Palermo, Messina and Catania are the main station hubs you can easily reach the rest of the region from there. timely) than trains when traveling between cities in Sicily and that train delays happen more often. And if you love the sea, you're in the right place! The train along the northern coast between Palermo and Messina is notoriously delayed, and perhaps over an hour delayed at times. Train services are not plentiful or in abundance in many locations . My train from Siracusa to Noto departed on time, but made some unexpected stops in-between stations along the way (there was announcement in Italian, which I don't understand, so not sure what happened) and arrived 12 minutes late at Noto. In 2020, punctuality for long-distance trains was 88.6% and commuter train punctuality was 96.6%. (Aeolians - also seasonable from Naples), Tirrenia(Palermo-Naples and Palermo-Sardinia), Grimaldi Lines (Palermo-Salerno and Palermo-Tunisia), Segesta, SAIS Autolinee,Interbus, AST&Etnatrasporti. more. Trains are often delayed, some routes more than others. Be satisfied with those parts of Sicily you can reach for this visit. For us, I think these difficulties are more than compensated for by lack of stress with driving. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. It's mostly regionale trains, so no need to purchase tickets in advance. Please check for tariffs here, Ericeand Trapani are connected by cable car - a great and panoramic solution to visit charming Erice. - Train from Taormina all the way back to Rome - looking forward to this one, with the train going on the ferry and then along the coast. A delay of 10-15 minutes is acceptable. Otherwise, the schedule and travel time of trains do look more preferable for some of the routes I am planning. To the Aeolian Islands, services run from Milazzo and Messina; to the Egadi Islands, from Trapani and Marsala; to Ustica, from Palermo; and to the Pelagic Islands, from Porto Empedocle (near Agrigento). Ragusa Ibla was terrific too, Il Bettola was a good restaurant there. Our Complete Website Solution frees up the time, cost and technical expertise required to build and operate your own successful online travel business. I understand things do happen sometimes and I need to be prepared for it, but if trains experience substantial delays (e.g. Making the citys setting even more unique is the volcano Etna, which stands like a king in the background. We were in a vagone letto deluxe - doppia cabine intera, compact but comfortable to sleep in. Only ever had one cancellation and one delay. 16 What is the nicest beach in Italy? The whole train goes onto a ferry from the mainland, and you can reach a few cities by train once on the island, including popular beach resort towns like Taormina. The timetables seem reasonable, but are trains often cancelled? solved problems on partition function; used imported suv for sale in bangalore Menu Toggle. Some long-distance trains or airport transfers are usually guaranteed on weekdays and public holidays. Malpensa Express: The train between . Buses are the only form of public transportation serving many . No, there is no direct train from Rome to Sicily. Buses are more reliable than trains, but there are some instances when trains are acceptable. The Sicilian railway network is 1,369 km long and covers the nine provinces of the island, including the train connections between Palermo airport and the city centre. A great experience though the Siracusa to Bari day was a bit too long for us. We plan to start and end in Palermo. And if you want to enjoy a town that combines amazing natural scenery with a rich artistic, historical and cultural heritage, head down to Catania Centrale and take an Intercity train to Taormina. Be the architect of your own trip as you discover the best things to do in Italy through insider tips, suggested itineraries and handy maps. Get to Etna central crater and enjoy the beautiful nature found within Etna Natural Park. Ustica Lines(operating all Sicily, Reggio Calabria and Naples), SMIV,SNAV &N.G.I. And where can one find reliable. How long is ferry from Sorrento to Sicily? Disabled assistance at stations, including for people in wheelchairs, is provided by Sala Blu, a branch of the state railway company. 2 nights between Agrigento and Palermo? Take the EuroNight train from Vienna to Milan (14hr), Venice (12hr) or Rome (14hr). Explore Sicily by train and take in the stunning views of each city from the comfort of your seat. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-76087858', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Sicily Donald B! And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. The train is usually a . The best way to find and compare tickets for trains, buses, carpools and planes. We share your enthusiasm for train travel. 17 What is the prettiest . Members who are extremely knowledgeable about this destination and answer travellers questions frequently. How far is it from Sorrento to Sicily? But which would be more hassle free, say, for the connections between towns that you list above? more than 30 min) quite often (e.g. There are small bus companies operating between bigger (second to Sicilian standards) towns and the villages of the region, and in between towns. 2 nights between Agrigento and Palermo? In the evening just hop onto a local bus back to your, From June to September the Treno del Barocco, also called Treno Montalbano, connects, This is a great way to visit our magnificent Baroque wonders - and your. Put your travel marbles in the basket leading you to travel to Rome by train as you described in your preliminary announcements. If not, we've got plenty more travel guides to inspire your travel in Italy and beyond. Our little train could be a bit dirty, and is maybe not heated in winter, but a ride is an excellent and cheap opportunity to get to know the region around Mount Etna. From gentle Tuscan jaunts to mountain adventures, Italy was made for road tripping. 80 regional, fast regional and Intercity trains operated by Trenitalia run daily between Catania and Messina (1h 20m), Siracusa (1h), Palermo (2h 50m) and other towns each day.. Catania Centrale is also well-connected to the underground. 15 How much is the train in Sicily? 1. For example, train seems quite a bit faster when traveling from Taormina to Siracusa (if I catch Intercity, even considering the less convenient location for the train stop) and Siracusa to Ragusa. There are no high-speed trains in Sicily. Car rental does not measure or add up to the same experience. As stunning as the views from the windows were, I was at least as intrigued by the seemingly outdated diesel train, quaint and romantic, that shuttled us past lava fields and olive groves. The chief problem is that many of the stations are not actually in the centre of the town - or at least not near where you would want to stay. Don't rely too much on trains, in particular when you want to go from Palermo or Cefal to Taormina and Catania. Feed-Educate-Empower-Develop. Buses are the only form of public transportation serving many interior towns. Intercity (IC) or Intercity Night (ICN) trains are the fastest, stopping only at major stations; espresso trains stop at all but the most minor stations, while regionale trains are the slowest of all, halting at every stop. In case theres a strike on the regional line operating in Sicily, essential services will be guaranteed during the Fascia Protetta or Protected Time Slot from 06:00 to 09:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00 on weekdays. The Greek past is also visible in the Cathedral of Siracusa which, unlike the other Sicilian churches in Baroque style, is characterized by columns of an older temple within a simple Byzantine structure. Immerse yourself in the historical treasures of Sicily! For the most part, Sicily is best explored by car. Are trains in Sicily reliable? All rights reserved. big breakfast near tampines. Clockwise or counterclockwise Whats the best way to navigate Sicily? I have a similar question, except our choice for a 14-day tour of the island is between taking buses or (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Is it better (and cheaper) to buy tickets for train at advance or is it a same price at the ticket. For anyone travelling between Catania and Siracusa this summer, there is no train service. Check out our 52 Places list for 2022. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/30/travel/sicily-regional-trains.html. He steered the bus with impressive agility through flooded streets and curved alleys to reach the town of Rosolini. On Trenitalias website, I narrowed in on the three routes where commuters were dependent on the old-fashioned trains that I was interested in: the Ferrovia Circumetnea, a narrow-gauge train that connects the villages around Mount Etna; the Syracuse-Gela-Canicatt line, which traces Sicilys southeastern coast; and a route near the western tip of Sicily that links the village of Piraineto and the city of Trapani, via the town of Castelvetrano. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75516737', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Sicilys northern coast, travel between Messina/Taormina/Catania/Siracusa, travel from Palermo to Agrigento, travel from Trapani to Marsala and Castelvetrano, and travel between Ragusa and Gela, buses are much preferred in Sicily. Your itinerary is doable via public transport. All rights reserved. Staying at accommodation that includes parking can offer great relief when youre worn out from a day of driving. But generally, buses are preferred when . Yes, we could occasionally change to buses. Answer 1 of 16: Hi, I will visit Sicily very soon. My wife and I are comfortable with both modes of transportation (driving ourselves or taking the bus). 105. rail operators. Fares are cheap. 14 Is there a bridge from Italy to Sicily? Catania Centrale. Try Siculish for great pizza and excellent friendly service. You can tick Comiso off in one hour. Clockwise or counterclockwise Whats the best way to navigate Sicily? If you need a taxi, you can usually find one in taxi ranks at train and bus stations. A car is the best way to explore Sicilys countryside, remote hill towns, seaside archeological sites and much more. . We found Modica didn't offer anything much different than Ragusa and it's much steeper climbing there so we preferred Ragusa Ibla. There are some instances when train routes and travel by train are acceptable. Another reason for not hiring a car is that we drive on the other side of the road in Australia . Once youre happy with your choice, continue to choose your seat preference, On web, enter an email address to send your ticket confirmation to, along with the full name of each passenger youre booking tickets for (the name must match their IDs). 940. We decided to stop in Comiso and arrive in Ragusa in time for checking in the next day. When we visited Sicily the average price we paid for diesel was around EUR 1.55-1.60 a liter, compared to EUR 1.75-1.85 for petrol. In case you need to find a hotel, check here. Youll arrive at your destination in only 39 minutes! Even for a Dutch person, I am an outstanding planner. Trains. Remember also that there are overnight Intercity trains which save the cost of one hotel night. Take public transport in the larger cities. Thank you for your feedback. Still, for maximum flexibility in your explorations, you cant beat having a car, although that comes withboth environmental and financial costs. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. Some factors are subjective, preferences and what appeals, but some factors are practicalities. Contents1 How are the trains in Sicily?2 Is it easy to [] Heres what she saw. - 5 days in Palermo (day trips using trains or bus), then on to Enna (maybe bus for this leg); - Enna 2 nights, just for the sheer pleasure of the views. arrow-bottom. You can get much accomplished with the limited train service in Sicily. Otherwise you end up losing time that can not be easily retrieved. And yet, despite the exceptionally bad weather, the regional railroads and the replacement bus services managed to get me around the island of Sicily for less than $100. But Sicily is difficult. Or. Assuming that you are patient, have time, can live with the fact that trains and buses could be delayed or sometimes even cancelled, and that time tables serve only as a rough orientation to passengers and are hard to understand even for locals. Vendors from the local fish market take a break in the shade of the railway overpass in Catania. Also called "the pearl of the Mediterranean Sea". Secondly, do you think there is a better direction to take around the island from Palermo: east or west? Check out our map and discover where else trains in Sicily can take you, or if you want to view the most popular routes in Italy, head to our Italy train map page. Tickets cost 3 - 8 and the journey takes 50 min. - Train to Comiso (1 change) 1 night only, hotel near station allowing for a quick exploration in the morning. It's also useful to arrive at the station well in advance so as to coordinate any assistance needed getting on the train (accessibilityvaries widely across the Sicilian train network and trains). are trains in sicily reliable. The follwing ferry lines connect Sicily to its islands: (operating all Sicily, Reggio Calabria and Naples). Both are linked by public buses and trains to their respective city centers as well as taxis. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-116346901', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Palermo and Enna to arrive at the top where our accommodation is. Not wanting to lose another day to bad weather, I left my hotel the next morning, purchased the biggest umbrella I could find and hurried off to the railway station, operating under the wishful illusion that I could force my way through my itinerary. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-116345049', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cars because the railways are a bit limited in Sicily. Day trip - would like to take the train which goes around Etna from here. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-76077865', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Palermo and Messina is notoriously delayed, and perhaps over an hour delayed at times. Catania to Siracusa - Bus or private transport. Ortigia was fantastic, amazing ambience especially at night. Sicily's train network runs throughout the island, with the main lines running between Palermo and Messina and between Catania and Siracusa (Syracuse). Sanne Derks is a Dutch freelance photojournalist and anthropologist. Another reason for not hiring a car is that we drive on the other side of the road in Australia and its quite stressful making that change, never mind what the driving and parking might be like in Sicily. You can request your refund no later than 23:59 on the day before the date indicated on the ticket. A typical working-class neighborhood in Syracuse. Keeping all of the above points in mind, there are certain routes where it is quite easy to take the train in Sicily. Part of this, of course, is that many Sicilian towns are built on hilltops. Drive or bus from catania airport to modica . At last I was able to resume my journey this time by train, according to a timetable. You mean, even if the schedule and travel time of train looks better, trains are unreliable enough that you may still recommend buses? In rural areas services are sometimes linked to school hours and market opening times, which can mean leaving incredibly early or finding yourself stranded after mid-afternoon. 18 Is there a train from mainland Italy to Sicily? State Railway. The idea for the project had come to me several months earlier when, on a holiday with my partner, Id traveled by train on the slopes around Sicilys famous and famously active volcano, Mount Etna. And so it went for much of the trip. And I learned that most Italians do not want to rely on the trains, since they are often slow and unreliable. Immediately after he told me this, the train screeched to a halt. However, you can still travel around the island on one of the regional trains operated by Trenitalia - a slower option, yet a great one to take in all the beautiful surroundings around you. Sicily Buses and Trains Sicily's own bus and rail networks are generally affordable, reliable, and rapid, except on Sundays when the entire island slows down. My wife and I are comfortable with both modes of transportation (driving ourselves or taking the bus). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-76087858', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Sicily Donald B! Built over the ruins of Roman baths, Saint Agatha Cathedral is an architectural masterpiece you cant miss. Sicilian highways are also generally in good shape and link all of the island's major cities, but some of the smaller roads through southern Sicily and the central mountains can be . The train is a delightful way to travel on Sicily, although large swaths of the island are not served. Giancarlo Zaccaria, an engineer, aboard one of Sicilys regional trains, many of which are covered in graffiti. The speed limit in built-up areas off main roads is a mere 50km/h (approx 30mph). Travel these amazing routes of Europe for storied architecture, stunning coasts and some of the best eats in the world. Rail Europe sells tickets across Europe and our coverage is increasing all the time. Almost all drivers can use licenses valid in their home countries. 15 Are trains in Sicily reliable? Dont miss Palazzo dei Normanni, the residence of the Norman kings, whose interior is decorated with mosaics with naturalistic motifs, paintings and frescoes with mythological scenes. If you are interested in becoming a local travel partner for your territory and would like to find out more then click for more info about our Website Business Opportunity. The main line runs east from Palermoto Messina and then south to Syracuse via Catania. Get the train to Sorrento, then the ferry from Sorrento to isle of capri.. There are local transit systems in Sicilys larger cities that operate comprehensive local bus services. more. Are they reliable in Siciliy? 14 How long is train ride in Sicily? They can be late by 30 minutes every now and then, but longer delays (> 1 hour) is unusual. However, the more I read through the Sicily forums, the more concerned I am becoming about our plans. Are they reliable in Siciliy? Jan 27, 2023, 2:00 AM. Theres no right or wrong way, but there are many factors to consider when determining your approach to navigating Sicily.