Immerse yourself in the historical treasures of Sicily! 16 | Fuel. No, there is no direct train from Sicily to Rome. On Sundays and holidays, the regional trains do not run. Sundays can be a problem - particularly in the South East - as the service is severely restricted (or even non-existent). I have a similar question, except our choice for a 14-day tour of the island is between taking buses or (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Sicily by Train. Larger ferries to/from the mainland and the islands carry vehicles. Is there something I dont know? Are trains in Sicily reliable? 105. rail operators. Read our Privacy Policy. Two expert travel writers make the case for choosing Sicily vs Sardinia for your next Mediterranean getaway. However, depending on when you intend to travel, Trenitalia isn't running trains service between (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-116345358', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Palermo is standard gauge, not narrow gauge, operated (in 2018,) by FS using their oldest diesel railcars as far as the junction with the electrified section from Punta Raisi to Palermo. Catania offers beautiful beaches with fine golden sand and dark volcanic rocks, unspoilt nature and a rich marine reserve. You can take a train from mainland Italy to Sicily. You cant go to Sicily without stopping in Catania, the youngest and most dynamic city of the region. Palermo, Messina and Catania are the main station hubs you can easily reach the rest of the region from there. As stunning as the views from the windows were, I was at least as intrigued by the seemingly outdated diesel train, quaint and romantic, that shuttled us past lava fields and olive groves. 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. tatami fightwear element gi. Not entirely sure what you mean by "there are some instances when trains are acceptable" though. So, you've reached the end of our guide to travelling in and around Sicily by train. My wife and I are comfortable with both modes of transportation (driving ourselves or taking the bus). Get to Etna central crater and enjoy the beautiful nature found within Etna Natural Park. 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. At last I was able to resume my journey this time by train, according to a timetable. You have to change train in Messina, and if it is delayed it could be that you are stuck for a night in Messina. On our most recent trip, I found Google Maps to be the most reliable and easy to follow (over our car's GPS). The trains are very often late, but only by 10-15 minutes. A delay of 10-15 minutes is acceptable. There I found out all trains on the first trajectory were canceled until further notice. 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. Are they reliable in Siciliy? Alternatively, you may use. The regional trains in Sicily are operated by Trenitalia, the main train company in Italy. Sicily train map. big breakfast near tampines. A lone passenger hops aboard the train at a desolate train station in western Sicily. A few lines run InterCity trains. The train along the northern coast between Palermo and Messina is notoriously delayed, and perhaps over an hour delayed at times. 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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. I made my way back to the station and, soon enough, a big travel bus pulled up in front. Thanks Vagabonda. However, depending on when you intend to travel, Trenitalia isn't running trains service between Catania and Siracusa this summer, and instead running a replacement bus service. Trenitalia Intercity also services this route twice daily. We are now in 120+ Destinations and Growing. Sanne Derks is a Dutch freelance photojournalist and anthropologist. Bus transportation in Sicily is much more significant than on the mainland of Italy, because train service on the Island is limited to the coastal areas along the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas, with . more than 1 in every 10 trips), that sounds like something to be avoided if possible. Posted on July 1, 2022 by 18650 battery charger module Then we will take a taxi down to the station for the next leg. Check out our 52 Places list for 2022. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/30/travel/sicily-regional-trains.html. Parking in cities and towns can be very difficult, with few available spots. A great experience though the Siracusa to Bari day was a bit too long for us. Generally buses are more reliable than trains in Sicily. And if you love the sea, you're in the right place! Trains on these routes are fast and comfortable. The train along the northern coast between (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The highest active . There are some instances when train routes and travel by train are acceptable. Your itinerary is doable via public transport. Etna. Only children under the age of 4 can travel for free on trains in Sicily. From June to September the Treno del Barocco, also called Treno Montalbano, connectsSyracusetoRagusa- with stops inNoto,ScicliandModica. Also called "the pearl of the Mediterranean Sea". The average journey time by train between Catania Centrale and Taormina-Giardini is around 49 minutes, covering a distance of 41 km. Some factors are subjective, preferences and what appeals, but some factors are practicalities. Eventually I arrived in Gela, a coastal city whose train station was completely devoid of women. We share your enthusiasm for train travel. I asked different local people about the timeliness of trains and here is roughly what told me (and what I experienced). There are local transit systems in Sicilys larger cities that operate comprehensive local bus services. When in Sicily, treat your taste buds and try some delicious Sicilian dishes. Spending seven days in Sicily without a car is perfectly doable if you can manage the train, buses, and local Taxis on Sicily Island. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Some night trains and daytime fast trains serving the lines to Palermo and Syracuse use the train ferry at Messina to link up to the rail network on the mainland. 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. Fare cost: 4.30 (some 8.50) Earliest direct train: 04:50. Answer 1 of 8: Hi all, I see many posts and websites saying that buses are usually more reliable (i.e. Palermo airport to Cefalu & how long in Palermo, Older couple spending 3 nights in Palermo in November. 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. (Pictured: The duomo of Cefal, one of the UNESCO sites of the Arab-Norman Patrimony of Sicily.) We are planning to return to Sicily by train in September too. Roof Replacement; Roof Repair; northern italy and southern france itinerary Menu Toggle. Trains will transport you to certain places. Giuseppe Mandolfo, one of my few fellow passengers, told me that he takes the train five days a week to complete his studies at the police academy. Ragusa Ibla was terrific too, Il Bettola was a good restaurant there. Id imagined a trip where Id hop on and off the regional trains, visiting rural villages with beautiful Italian names and experiencing the charm of regional train travel at this southern edge of Europe. For example, would you not just take the bus from Palermo to Trapani and back again? Trains link major towns in Sicily. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-116350488', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Rome to Siracusa and then a few days later from Siracusa to Bari. 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. Need to get to Palermo Airport? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. But if you are able to pack you belongings in a backpack (as opposed to a suitcase) and prepared for a bit of a hike from the station then it is all perfectly doable. There are no special road rules for cyclists, but you would be wise to carry a helmet and lights. They are run by Ferrovie dello Stato and schedules can be checked online here. Do not pass this up. more. 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. Answer 1 of 16: Hi, I will visit Sicily very soon. Immerse yourself in the historical treasures of Sicily! more. During summer you can also access a small beach located right in front of the cliffs. In case you need to find a hotel, check here. I imagine having a car is faster, but are there other considerations we should be aware of that make taking buses preferable? 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. Sicilys offshore islands are served by traghetti (ferries) and aliscafi (hydrofoils). Most of the . Once aboard, let the conductor know if you'll need assistance at your destination or arrangeit in advance by contacting Sala Blu. If not, we've got plenty more travel guides to inspire your travel in Italy and beyond. The speed limits are 130 km/h on . Much of the islands infrastructure presents challenges by way of steps, uneven sidewalks, too-small elevators (where they exist), and vehicles that cannot accommodate a wheelchair. For us, I think these difficulties are more than compensated for by lack of stress with driving. My question is, how often do trains actually get. 13 How reliable are trains in Sicily? Many services run year-round, although they are pared back considerably in winter and can be affected by adverse sea conditions. There is no fast train service in Sicily. 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. Clockwise or counterclockwise Whats the best way to navigate Sicily? Please check for tariffs here, Ericeand Trapani are connected by cable car - a great and panoramic solution to visit charming Erice. Tickets cost 4 - 9 and the . - Train or bus to Catania - 3 nights here. 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. Youll arrive at your destination in only 39 minutes! The best way to find and compare tickets for trains, buses, carpools and planes. Do not feel an obligation to rent a car as those arrangements together with road and travel regulations can be a nuisance for the people not initiated for handling such a task in so much of Sicily. Is it better (and cheaper) to buy tickets for train at advance or is it a same price at the ticket. If you book a taxi by phone, you will be charged for the trip the driver makes to reach you. But, she did also mention the need to be flexible and occasionally change to bus transport. Easily. You should take out travel insurance with at least 1m or preferably 5m medical cover from a reliable insurer. Take public transport in the larger cities. However romantic it seems on screen though, a huge amount of detail about the logistics is left out. Car rental does not measure or add up to the same experience. Select Page. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187886-i343-k9498851-No_trains_Catania_Siracusa-Sicily.html. Here's what she saw . And so it went for much of the trip. Find out what you can see if you choose to travel Sicily by train. Perhaps hire a car in the countryside, or between towns, but whether you would hire a car would depend on your intended destinations, and the reliable public transport between towns, so if you don't intend to hire a car, then plan a route along reliable and frequent public transport. I understand things do happen sometimes and I need to be prepared for it, but if trains experience substantial delays (e.g. The regional trains in Sicily are operated by Trenitalia, the main train company in Italy. 16 What is the nicest beach in Italy? We've shown you must-visit destinations, popular routes and how to book your train tickets online with us. Travel Sicily by train and enjoy its breath-taking landscapes, incredible architecture and amazing food. 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. People rent (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? My Guide Sicily is part of the global My Guide Network of Online & Mobile travel guides. Two trains run every hour in each direction, and the train journey can last between 56 and 71 minutes, depending on the number of train stops. 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. Giancarlo Zaccaria, an engineer, aboard one of Sicilys regional trains, many of which are covered in graffiti.Credit As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. . Contact them in advance for assistance. Would we be able to change to bus transport if necessary? Along the way I learned that in this often forgotten part of Sicily the train is largely used by African migrants. Away from the main coastal train routes, buses are generally the best way of getting around Sicily. In 2020, punctuality for long-distance trains was 88.6% and commuter train punctuality was 96.6%. 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). Otherwise you end up losing time that can not be easily retrieved. In addition, Palermo has a tram network and Catania has a metro. Travel by EuroCity (EC) train direct to Milan from the Swiss cities of Bern (3hr), Geneva (4hr) and Zurich (3hr 30min). It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a . Deck class is only sold in summer. Help! Operators include Liberty Lines and Siremar. Heres our complete guide to the Sicilian railway network, including the most popular routes and our top travel tips. If you need a taxi, you can usually find one in taxi ranks at train and bus stations.