How to get to Taormina: airports, trains, buses and transfers

In short

• Main airport: Catania Fontanarossa (CTA), 60 km
• Alternative airport: Palermo Punta Raisi (PMO), 250 km — only for convenient flights into Palermo
• Railway station: Taormina-Giardini Naxos, but it's on the seafront 5 km from the old town (uphill)
• Easiest option from Catania airport: the Etna Trasporti bus direct to the centre
• Car: fine for getting there, but it then has to be parked outside the ZTL (see parking)

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From Catania (Fontanarossa airport, CTA)

The default option for most travellers. The four modes:

Etna Trasporti bus

The company Etna Trasporti / Interbus runs a direct Catania Airport → Taormina service. Key points:

• ~39 runs a day in the ordinary period, first run early morning (~6:15), last useful one between 19:50 and 20:45 depending on the stop
• Airport stop: in front of arrivals, street level (SEIM ticket office in the Arrivals concourse, Mon–Fri 06:00–00:15, Sat–Sun 07:00–00:15)
• Taormina stop: bus terminal on Via Luigi Pirandello (outside the ZTL), open 7:00–1:00, tel. 0942 625301
• Ticket: buy online (Etna Trasporti site) or on board (cash only, and in high season there isn't always a seat)
• Luggage: 1 large in the hold + 1 carry-on, usually with no surcharge
• Wi-Fi on board: yes on the newer vehicles, no on the older ones

Tip: book online the day before; in high season the late-morning runs sell out.

Taxi

Taxis at Catania airport have a flat rate to Taormina: €110 for 1–4 passengers, €140 for 5–6 passengers, €170 for groups up to 8 (rates published by the local consortia). Always confirm the fare before getting in: some operators apply night surcharges; if so, at the taxi rank to the left of the arrivals exit you can compare several cars.

For payment: cash always accepted, card not always (ask first).

Private transfer

NCC (chauffeur-hire) services bookable online before the trip:

• Fixed fare, no surprises
• ZTL-authorized plate: the transfer takes you directly to the hotel even inside the ZTL (if the hotel is central)
• Better cars than standard taxis, English-speaking drivers

Available services: search "Taormina airport transfer" — many local operators on GetYourGuide, Welcome Pickups, or directly with Sicilian NCC firms.

Train + bus (not recommended)

Technically possible, but impractical:

• From Catania airport → AMT bus to central Catania (~30 min)
• From Catania Centrale → train to Taormina-Giardini Naxos (~50 min)
• From Taormina station → bus or taxi to the old town (~15 min, because the station is on the seafront)

Total: 2.5–3h, 3 changes, cost similar to the direct bus. Except in particular cases, avoid it.

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From Messina

The distance is short (~50 km) but the options change:

Worth considering: those arriving in Sicily from Calabria via the Villa San Giovanni → Messina ferry can carry on by car in 1 hour. If you reach Sicily from Sardinia or Naples by ship to Palermo, it's too far (see the Palermo section).

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From Palermo

Palermo is far: 250 km, crossing central Sicily. Only if you found cheap flights into Palermo:

Honest tip: if flights to Palermo are €100+ cheaper than Catania, it's only worth it if you also intend to visit Palermo, Cefalù or the western area. For Taormina alone, landing at Catania almost always pays off.

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From Catania (city centre)

If you're already in central Catania (not at the airport):

• Direct bus from Catania Central Station: Interbus/Etna Trasporti, ~1h30, ~€7–8
• Train from Catania Central Station to Taormina-Giardini Naxos, ~50 min, ~€7. Then bus or taxi to the centre (the station is by the sea)

The train is faster but drops you far from the old town. The bus, though slower, arrives directly at Porta Messina (2 minutes' walk to the centre).

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By train: the station is ON THE SEAFRONT, NOT in the centre

A fundamental practical notice, ignored by most sites:

The Taormina-Giardini Naxos station is a small station at sea level, on the SS114. From there to Taormina's old town it is:

• 5 km as the crow flies (~6 km by road)
• ~250 metres of elevation uphill
• On foot: 50–60 minutes of steep climbing, not advised with luggage
• Local bus (Interbus, station–centre shuttle): ~15 min, ~€2 each way
• Taxi from the station to the centre: ~€15 (agree before getting in)

What many tourists do: get off the train with suitcases, see the climb, and only then realize they don't arrive "in central Taormina". Result: a scramble for the few available taxis, 20–30 minute waits in high season.

What to do instead:

• If you travel light: the local bus is fine, frequency every 30–60 min
• If you have luggage: take a taxi straight away (you'll find 2–3 taxis at the station, more in high season)
• If you have lots of luggage + children: better the direct Etna Trasporti bus (from Catania or Messina) that drops you at Porta Messina in the centre

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By car: where to park on arrival

If you arrive in Taormina by car (your own or a rental), the issue is where to leave it. The old town is a ZTL: you can't drive into it.

The car parks:

• Lumbi (the most convenient, free shuttle to the centre)
• Porta Catania (pricier but 2 minutes from the Corso)
• Mazzarò (on the seafront, near the cable car)

Full details: Where to park in Taormina.

ZTL notice: if your hotel is inside the old town, have the hotel register your plate before arrival, otherwise you risk a fine at the first gate. See ZTL info.

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Summary table: which option to choose

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FAQ

Q: Is there an airport in Taormina? A: No. The nearest airport is Catania Fontanarossa (CTA), 60 km / 1h. Reggio Calabria (RZA) is geographically closer but rarely convenient for international flights.

Q: Does the night train pass through Taormina? A: Yes. The Intercity Notte 1956 (Rome Termini ↔ Syracuse) stops at Taormina-Giardini Naxos. The same route in the other direction: the IC Notte 1955 runs Syracuse → Rome. The full Rome–Syracuse leg is ~12 hours. Handy if you want to arrive in the morning. Up-to-date times on Trenitalia.

Q: Can I rent a car in Taormina? A: Yes, but agencies in the centre are very few. Almost everyone rents at Catania airport. Notice: if you rent in Catania to visit Taormina, remember you'll have to park outside the ZTL and walk/use the shuttle.

Q: How much is a transfer from Catania airport to Taormina? A: A typical range is €90–150 for a car of up to 4 people, booked online in advance. Cheaper than taxis if there are 2–4 of you with luggage; also convenient because the fare is fixed.

Q: Do Etna Trasporti buses run at night? A: The frequency thins out in the late afternoon: the last useful airport→Taormina run is between 19:50 and 20:45 depending on the day. Flights landing after 21:00 almost always require a taxi or transfer.

Q: Can you reach Taormina by ship/ferry? A: Not directly. The nearest ship is from Reggio Calabria to Messina (Bluferries, Caronte&Tourist), then train or car. From Naples there's the ship to Palermo (Tirrenia, GNV), then 3 hours by car.

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Related POIs and info

• Where to park in Taormina
• Taormina ZTL: hours and rules
• Taormina-Mazzarò Cable Car
• 1-day itinerary

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Last verified: 2026-05-31. Sources: Etna Trasporti (times and fares) · Trenitalia — Intercity Notte · Interbus — Taormina · flat-rate taxi fares from Taxi Catania Taormina. Times, prices and frequencies change seasonally: before departing, check the official sites.