Hi there, Travelling from Naples main train station in June with teenage kids & luggage to Isle of Capri, should we:. Not entirely sure what you mean by "there are some instances when trains are acceptable" though. But which would be more hassle free, say, for the connections between towns that you list above? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-116347964', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Palermo area and south from Messina to areas like Siracusa. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-76087348', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');renting a car. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 13h 1m.The . In Palermo, train service is regular, reliable, inexpensive and a convenient way to move between destinations. Find out what you can see if you choose to travel Sicily by train. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. But generally, buses are preferred when delays are coupled with train stations inconveniently located in towns, or train stations even located outside towns requiring a bus to the station, possible malfunctioning air-conditioning, and no Sunday service. Check schedules and compare fares at Ferryhopper. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-116349103', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Palermo by bus, but when we left, we took the train from Ragusa to Noto (which may be along one of the legs you mentioned). Catania offers beautiful beaches with fine golden sand and dark volcanic rocks, unspoilt nature and a rich marine reserve. The regional trains in Sicily are operated by Trenitalia, the main train company in Italy. The speed limits are 130 km/h on . My Guide Sicily is part of the global My Guide Network of Online & Mobile travel guides. There are several bus companies operating in Sicily, and for longer distances we consider taking a bus because they are generally the faster option for travel, are air conditioned and very pleasant to travel in. While the state-owned Trenitalia operates all regular trains on Sicily, those that circle the base Mt Etna are run by the private Ferrovia Circumetnea. Vendors from the local fish market take a break in the shade of the railway overpass in Catania. 105. rail operators. We share your enthusiasm for train travel. Motorcycles, motorbikes, and scooters are usually available for rent from local agents in resort areas. We work with more than 100 partners to offer you the best prices on the market. Travelling round Sicily by train is something has been given something of a boost recently - due in part to TV programmes like Michael Portillo's Great Rail journeys. Tickets cost 3 - 8 and the journey takes 50 min. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Almost all drivers can use licenses valid in their home countries. I will be traveling before June 20th, and I checked with the trenitalia website, so it seems like I will be OK! 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. You can ride as far afield as Naples, Rome, Florence, and Milan without changing trains. There are some instances when train routes and travel by train are acceptable. . I was pacing impatiently in my hotel room on the Via Etnea, one of the main boulevards in the center of Catania. For the most part, Sicily is best explored by car. Trains. Last June we took the Intercity Notte from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. (You can also board the train at Modica, one stop east of Ragusa, which has slightly more frequent service and trims about 30 minutes off the journey.) 15 Are trains in Sicily reliable? The train along the northern coast between (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I see many posts and websites saying that buses are usually more reliable (i.e. Don't rely too much on trains, in particular when you want to go from Palermo or Cefal to Taormina and Catania. Deciding whether to begin in a large city or a resort town is only one aspect of what to consider. This slow train serves mainly to children who are living in the, at the slopes of Mount Etna, bringing them to school and back. However, are you absolutely adamant it has to be train? There are some instances when train routes and travel by train are acceptable. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75515838', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Sicily and that train delays happen more often. We're official agents for rail and bus operators in the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. And prices on public transportation are very cheap, making it a great budget option. arrow-bottom. . See what is available to be visited by train and be satisfied. But if you have looked and the trains and they work for you then there is no reason to rent a car. You mean, even if the schedule and travel time of train looks better, trains are unreliable enough that you may still recommend buses? Take public transport in the larger cities. 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. I decided to come back for a photo essay. The train along the northern coast between Palermo and Messina is notoriously delayed, and perhaps over an hour delayed at times. Drivers can be aggressive and/or sloppy in their driving habits. Pay attention to Italian trains and utilize them. timely) than trains when traveling between cities in Sicily and that train delays happen more often. Uber in Sicily only operates in Syracuse. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75515838', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Sicily and that train delays happen more often. They can be late by 30 minutes every now and then, but longer delays (> 1 hour) is unusual. Answer 1 of 16: Hi, I will visit Sicily very soon. Use our map and learn more about the main destinations of the regional trains operated by Trenitalia. 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. There are small bus companies operating between bigger (second to Sicilian standards) towns and the villages of the region, and in between towns. Keeping all of the above points in mind, there are certain routes where it is quite easy to take the train in Sicily. Consider airline schedules and fares, car rental locations, availability of accommodations, itinerary routing and its affect on the length of time at a destination, arrival and departure days, arrival times at destinations, events, feasts, markets, advantageous driving times, optimal public transport, holiday celebrations. Everything has to be factored to optimise and maximise your time. A car is the best way to explore Sicilys countryside, remote hill towns, seaside archeological sites and much more. Staying at accommodation that includes parking can offer great relief when youre worn out from a day of driving. About three and half hours later you will arrive in Catania. Dark clouds loom over a train car in Syracuse. Passengers traveling between the towns of Mazara del Vallo and Marsala. Perhaps a day trip back to Noto. Between the comfortable and scenic trains plus the comprehensive bus network, its possible to get around much of Sicily without your own vehicle. But, I meant that with the exception of travel to Cefal on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. However, depending on when you intend to travel, Trenitalia isn't running trains service between (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I also hoped to capture portraits of the people I encountered daily commuters and train operators who populated this corner of southern Italy, which is poorer and less developed than the countrys comparatively wealthier north. Thanks Vagabonda. Away from the main coastal train routes, buses are generally the best way of getting around Sicily. Once aboard, let the conductor know if you'll need assistance at your destination or arrangeit in advance by contacting Sala Blu. For example, a 90-minute ticket is 1.40, but it is also possible to pay 1.80 on the bus itself to save yourself time. You can get much accomplished with the limited train service in Sicily. Welcome to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. The only commercial flights within Sicily are those connecting the main island with smaller islands offshore. On our most recent trip, I found Google Maps to be the most reliable and easy to follow (over our car's GPS). No with ambitions for travel to Rome later by train from Sicily across the straights at Messina do have its merit. Hence, we will opt for the bus between (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Her project on Sicilys regional trains was supported by a grant from Pictoright, an authors rights organization for visual creators in the Netherlands. I was also intrigued to find the stations being used as communal gathering spaces, particularly for young people looking to escape their crowded houses and unwind. Be careful with time devoted to Taormina and Siracusa as you might need some of that time for getting other things done. more. Austria-Italy. Is it better (and cheaper) to buy tickets for train at advance or is it a same price at the ticket. We've covered the types of train you can travel on, and who operates them. 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. People are on the move today in search of basic needs, just as the family of my grandparents was swept up in a wave of migration in 1914. Whenever we travel in Europe, it always saddens us to see disused rail tracks. My husband and I are train lovers - slow, old, it doesn't matter. Heres how to do it online with us: The Sicilian railway network covers the main cities of the region. There are some instances when train routes and travel by train are acceptable. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. 1. One of the world's most revered cuisines, Italian food is a handy umbrella term for the country's cache of regional cuisines. 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. We are now in 120+ Destinations and Growing. Use our map and learn more about the main destinations of the regional trains operated by Trenitalia. Looking out from my balcony, I wondered if the rain was ever going to stop. And there is one I believe on Sundays that is supposed to be special, too. 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. 2023 My Guide. Copyright 2023 Trainline.com Limited and its affiliated companies. 15 How much is the train in Sicily? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-116344932', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Sicily that first drew us to planning our upcoming trip to Sicily. https://italyjune2022.blogspot.com/2022/07/the-night-of-june-1-we-boarded.html, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Its a challenge that I would recommend to anyone who wants to surrender to the charm of slow travel. You mean, even if the schedule and travel time of train looks better, trains are unreliable enough that you may still recommend buses? Another reason for not hiring a car is that we drive on the other side of the road in Australia . Rates vary from city to city. Heres what she saw. Get through Naples by train, bus.?. Important road rules when driving in Sicily include: Official taxis are white, metered, and expensive. Youll arrive at your destination in only 39 minutes! Jan 27, 2023, 2:00 AM. Trenitalia organizes substitute buses when trains are out of service. Roof Replacement; Roof Repair; northern italy and southern france itinerary Menu Toggle. Trains are often delayed, some routes more than others. From Palermo airport you can arrive at Central station in 40/50 min with taxi sharing (7euro), bus (6 euro) or train (inside airport). I cant remember.) Posted on July 1, 2022 by 18650 battery charger module Using a combination of buses, trains, boats, one bicycle and your own two feet, you'll be able to see spectacular churches (like the one in Noto, above), breathtaking beaches (my favorite was on the island of Favignana) and charming medieval towns. 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. Etna (from Catania to Giarre . Buses are more reliable than trains, but there are some instances when trains are acceptable. more than 30 min) quite often (e.g. At last I was able to resume my journey this time by train, according to a timetable. To travel by bus or train, you'd have to purchase a ticket before travelling, which must be stamped in the machine when boarding. Drive or bus from catania airport to modica . We are planning to return to Sicily by train in September too. - 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. Train services are not plentiful or in abundance in many locations . 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. 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. Can anyone, please, advise what bus companies operate between two cities? But generally, buses are preferred when . There are trains about every 2-3 hours (or 5-6 a day). Help! The line from Trapani to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? My question is, how often do trains actually get delayed? Then you travel through the countryside for much of the middle part of the train trip. Tickets cost 4 - 9 and the . Eventually I arrived in Gela, a coastal city whose train station was completely devoid of women. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We plan to start and end in Palermo. 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. Most of the . We were in a vagone letto deluxe - doppia cabine intera, compact but comfortable to sleep in. 2. 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. I see many posts and websites saying that buses are usually more reliable (i.e. Generally buses are more reliable than trains in Sicily. 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. When in Taormina I had planned to sample the delights of the Circumetnea Railway, which does what it says in the name: makes a circuit of the towns at the base of the volcano, but I never quite got round to it. Travel by EuroCity (EC) train direct to Milan from the Swiss cities of Bern (3hr), Geneva (4hr) and Zurich (3hr 30min). Buses are incredibly reliable here. And where can one find reliable. Afraid Id get stuck again, I returned to Syracuse and opted to wait for the incoming Medicane, or Mediterranean cyclone, to pass. Just another site are trains in sicily reliable Sicilys offshore islands are served by traghetti (ferries) and aliscafi (hydrofoils). Is there something I dont know? Palermo airport to Cefalu & how long in Palermo, Older couple spending 3 nights in Palermo in November. Hi, just tried to have a look at the Russo bus timetable from Palermo to Scopello in the beginning of June, but the website shows no results. To salvage the second leg of my trip, and since the trains were still running, I traveled to Syracuse and decided to take a short trip to the city of Noto, some 20 miles to the southwest, on a colorful and mostly empty one-wagon train. Sicily has direct train connections to the major cities on the Italian mainland, with one or two trains running the long-distance routes every day. Try Siculish for great pizza and excellent friendly service. What side of the street do you drive on in Sicily? - Train or bus to Catania - 3 nights here. Immerse yourself in the historical treasures of Sicily! Certain places in the western coastal cities might have a train line to take you places. From June to September the Treno del Barocco, also called Treno Montalbano, connectsSyracusetoRagusa- with stops inNoto,ScicliandModica. Theres no right or wrong way, but there are many factors to consider when determining your approach to navigating Sicily. Based on train timetables, I built an itinerary and booked hotels in places I didnt know existed. Feeling slightly uncomfortable around them, I struck up a conversation with Giancarlo Zaccaria, a machinist with the train company. However the hold is dark and boring, so if you have someone reliable to keep an eye on your luggage during the ferry crossing, it's worth leaving the carriage and making your . Sicily adventure by train. DAT flies to Lampedusa and Pantelleria in well under an hour from Sicilys main airports (ferries take anywhere from a little over two hours to seven hours for these trips). Explore Sicily by train and take in the stunning views of each city from the comfort of your seat. Some long-distance trains or airport transfers are usually guaranteed on weekdays and public holidays. The follwing ferry lines connect Sicily to its islands: Aeolians, Egadi,Lampedusaand Ustica. But I soon learned that I would only experience the charm of infrequent and slow train travel if I was willing to let go of my overly fastidious schedule. 14 Is there a bridge from Italy to Sicily? For example, Michael Portillo visited Gangi by train - but the nearest train station to Gangi is about an hour's drive away! There are no special road rules for cyclists, but you would be wise to carry a helmet and lights. Trains in Italy are notoriously never on time, I would honestly recommend booking everything first and train tickets last. Ortigia was fantastic, amazing ambience especially at night. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-76087858', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Sicily Donald B! You can tick Comiso off in one hour. You have to change train in Messina, and if it is delayed it could be that you are stuck for a night in Messina. Also called "the pearl of the Mediterranean Sea". Continue to the checkout and book your tickets. A delay of 10-15 minutes is acceptable. Buses are more reliable than trains in Sicily. timely) than trains when traveling between cities in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? When in Sicily, treat your taste buds and try some delicious Sicilian dishes. I watched as he walked to one end of the train to remove red filters from the lights, which he then carried to the opposite end, attaching them there. See more here, Mount Etna also features a cable car that is running from Rifugio Sapienza (1900 m) up to 2400 m - for information please check here, No need to worry if your plans change with free cancellation options available. It's mostly regionale trains, so no need to purchase tickets in advance. Not to mention the Archaeological Museum Paolo Orsi, one of the most important museums in Europe, with its vast archaeological collection ranging from prehistory to the classical era. A great experience though the Siracusa to Bari day was a bit too long for us. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. You can follow her work on Instagram. Answer 1 of 8: Hi all, I see many posts and websites saying that buses are usually more reliable (i.e. - Train to Siracusa - 6 nights here - time to really explore Ortigia, where we will be staying. As I traveled with Trenoitalia at North Italy, they look reliable. 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. And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. But note that some discounted and advance tickets . She was in Sicily specifically to catch some of the old narrow gauge trains, and this route was one of 3 she found. 16 | Fuel. We decided to stop in Comiso and arrive in Ragusa in time for checking in the next day. 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).