As a rule, ferries from mainland Italy to the island of Sicily arrive in the main city, Palermo. But he is too noisy. Tourists prefer to relax in small towns and calm towns such as Catania. For the inexperienced traveler, this can be a problem. After all, you need to think about how to get from Palermo to Catania (or Catania). In fact, there is no problem.
Public transport in Sicily runs with the accuracy of a Swiss watch. And if you decide to rent a car, the quality of the local roads will only please you. Do not worry about this short trip. It is enough to choose only the type of transport that suits you, and go!
Palermo is located on the northern tip of the island of Sicily, and Catania is on the eastern. Between the two settlements, the distance in a straight line is 168 kilometers. On the shortest motorway, given its twists and mountainous terrain, all 211 km will run. Now consider how to overcome this distance.
By train
Yes, no matter how strange it sounds, in small Sicily has its own network of railways. They are operated by two companies: Regionale and the state Trenitalia. But the average traveler does not need to know all the subtleties. After all, the ticket price is the same everywhere - about 14 euros (1054 rubles) for a place in a class 2 carriage.
It makes no sense to overpay for the highest level of service - the train from the capital of the island to Catania takes about three hours. Moreover, the difference between the first and second class in comfort is minimal - a little wider than the seats in the chairs, white armrests instead of blue, and the price is very noticeable (35 euros or 2634 rubles).
How to get from Palermo to Catania by train? Easy peasy! Come to the station of the main city of Sicily Palermo Centrale. Trains in the direction we need depart at 7.30, 9.30, 10.00, 13.30, 15.321, 17.30 and 19.30. No need to change trains. After two hours and 55 minutes, you will arrive at the station in Catania.
How to get from Palermo to Catania by bus
Transportation between two settlements is carried out by three companies. They have different traffic intervals, travel times, arrivals and ticket prices. Consider the first company. It is called Autoservizi Salemi Srl. Its only advantage is the high comfort of the machines. White double-decker buses are equipped with various benefits of civilization. But the company carries out on a given route only one flight per day - at 13.30.
How to get from Palermo to Catania by Autoservizi Salemi Srl bus? Come to Piazza Cairoli Square. A ticket can be purchased at the box office just before boarding. It costs 15 euros (1130 rubles). In three hours you will be in Catania. The final stop of the route is Pope John XXIII Square.
SAIS Autolinee Company
Now let's see how to get from Palermo to Catania using another carrier. SAIS Autolinee delivers more buses. Maybe they are not so comfortable, but they follow at intervals of one hour. The first A-19 flight from Palermo leaves at 4:50, and the last at eight in the evening. Buses reach Catania in 2 hours and 40 minutes. A ticket costs a little cheaper - 13.5 euros (1016 rubles). Buses of this company are sent all with the same Piazza Cairoli.
But travelers do not have to go to the station. You can catch a bus (subject to availability) from stops on Archimedes Street and Polizzi Generosa. In Catania, cars arrive at another place - on D'Amico. Another significant advantage of the company is that its buses call at the airport. If you have a flight home from Catania's air harbor, you need to get out about ten minutes before the final stop. Unfortunately, on the websites of bus companies you can only see the schedule and find out the exact prices. But you need to purchase tickets at the box office. These buses give way to rail. After all, train tickets can be bought remotely via the Internet.
How to get from Palermo airport to Catania
The main harbor of the island, Falcone-Barcelona, is located 35 km west of the capital of Sicily. Consequently, as many kilometers further from Catania. Unfortunately, there is no direct non-stop bus service to this city from the airport. Therefore, you first need to get to Palermo. Here the traveler has two options. The first is the train. Her platform is located right at the airport terminal. An electric train arrives at the main railway station, from where it is very convenient to change trains to Catania.
The second option is buses. Comandè and Prestia do not have numbers. On the scoreboard of the buses is Falcone-Berselino-Port or Airport-Central Station. If you have a flight from Catania, then, arriving in the city, look for the stop of Route No. 457. SAIS Autolinee buses take passengers off on Freedom Street and on Paolo Borsellino Square. The last stop is most convenient for tourists who want to see the sights of Catania. It is located a stone's throw from the cathedral and the ancient church of St. Agatha.
By car
If you are an avid motorist, you need to think about how to get from Palermo to Catania on your own. This is not so difficult to do. Get out of Palermo south and follow the coast at S113 to Termini Imerese. Then you get to the A19, which will lead you to the town of Caltanissetta, in the center of the island. From there, you need to go straight east on S192. The whole journey will take two and a half hours. You will overcome 210 kilometers.
Blah Blah Car
Do not rely on hitchhiking in Sicily. Drivers are very reluctant to take strangers into the car. But the Bla-bla-car service is very developed there. The advantage of such a movement can be called low prices and the ability to chat with the driver or fellow travelers. Among the minuses is the need to adapt to the schedule of the car owner and his route. Now you know all the ways to get from Palermo to Catania. The choice is yours.