Travelling into and around Sicily

Airports
There are two main airports in Sicily, Palermo and Catania.

Taxis - one to avoid -
Taxis are available but not that reliable, one family spent a while riding around Taormina whilst the driver tried to decide where to go! If you don't mind the bus then that is efficient and well organised. If you wish, transport can be arranged through us for an agreed amount booked in advance.

Bus
The bus stop for Taormina and Siracusa is directly outside the arrivals lounge at Catania airport and there is an enormous sign to advertise this, the price is cheap at about 5 Euros one way (this could change of course!). The buses are popular in Sicily and well signposted. They are run by Interbus who also organise tours of the island. The bus station in Taormina is found in the centre of the town.

Rent a carCar Hire
Car hire is easy! The best way is to book online with one of the major car hire companies. Make sure you fill up with fuel on the way back to the airport at the last moment so that you are not charged extra.

Avis - 095 34 0500
Easy car - 095 7234066
Europcar - 095 34 81 25
Hertz - 095 341595

More car hire companies are available online.

Parking and Driving - Take note -
Parking is fun and entertaining in Sicily as is general driving and should be viewed as an adventure. The Sicilians do not seem to suffer from aggressive driving or road rage; they just have an amazing ability to squeeze their cars into the smallest gaps and spaces. When driving in traffic try not to leave any space between you and the car in front or someone will appear from nowhere and fill the space! If someone flashes their lights at you it does not mean "I'll let you through" it means "I'm coming through - wait there!."

Do not be surprised to see cars double parked at the side of the road this seems to be regarded as normal. The Sicilians have nerves of steel and will almost play a game of dare with you when they pull out of a side road. You need to drive confidently in order to get out of junctions. After a bit of practice it really is a fun way to drive.

Large car parks are advertised with a P sign and are quite straight forward just as in Great Britain. In towns it is a different system. Some areas have blue lines along the floor and this means you must pay to park. You can get a scratch card where you fill in the date and time you leave the car from a local tobacco shop or supermarket. But you will also see a uniformed attendant with a small pad and satchel lurking on the street somewhere. They sell tickets as well and are usually very pleasant and helpful.
In some areas if you see a tow truck sign with a car on it that means that parking is forbidden and you may get your car taken away so avoid these zones.

One amusing point to note is the fact that the Sicilians have made the most of the lava available from the volcano. In some towns the roads are made of lava and it can be quite bumpy. Seat belts should be worn at all times and head lights are supposed to be on when the car is being driven.

Scooter Hire
When you watch the younger Sicilians on their scooters you have to hold your breath sometimes. They weave in and out of the traffic without a care in the world. Girls chat with their friends and the boys lean precariously as they admire the girls. They have their hair flowing in the breeze and their mobile phones to their ears. They appear to be experts at avoiding the cars. If you want to hire a scooter try not to copy them too much! It is a legal requirement to wear a crash helmet and you will see some being worn but it is largely ignored. Scooter hire is available and an exciting way of exploring the towns and countryside. Just please be careful.

Plane