Catania Airport Transfers

Catania is the second most populated city in the whole of Sicily and is also one of the largest cities in Italy. If you are planning to travel to this beautiful coastal city, I have good news for you, Catania-Fontanarossa Airport is located approximately 8 kilometres from the centre of Catania!

In order to get to or from the airport and enjoy the best things to do in Catania, you can use different means of transport. On your trip, you will have the option to choose the one that suits you best and is most comfortable and affordable for you. The idea is that you travel comfortably and safely to your destination.

If you are one of those people who prefer to have all your trip well calculated and planned, booking a private transfer is the best option to travel to Sicily, more specifically to Catania, one of its most attractive cities. For this, you should research which companies offer this type of service in Catania, contact them, pay in advance and check their availability.

With a private transfer, you also have the possibility to choose the car you want. This depends on the number of people travelling with you, the amount of luggage or simply your personal taste. It can also be a good service to hire to enjoy everything in Catania and not to worry about using public transport. The price can vary between 40 and 50 €.

Interesting details

• Journeytime: between 20 and 35 minutes.

• Price: between €40 and €50.

• Advantages of using this method: it offers greater comfort and safety.

• Disadvantages of using this method: you must book this service at least two days in advance and it is usually more expensive than other options.

• How to book this transport: through the website of the company providing the service.

• Recommended if... you are travelling with a lot of luggage or many people.

If you don't have enough money to book a private transfer, a shuttle bus may be the best option for you. From Catania-Fontanarossa Airport you have to walk about 10 minutes to the Capolinea ALIBUS bus stop, where you will have to wait for the ALIB bus.

The trip takes on average 15 minutes or more and includes three stops, the last one being Dusmet Archi Porto, where you should get off. This stop is only five minutes from Piazza Cardinale Pappalardo. The average price of an ALIBUS bus ticket is €2.

As you may have noticed, this method of transfer requires several trips on foot. If you are a lively and curious tourist, you will probably be happy to walk a bit more and get to know these areas. However, if you are worried about arriving on time, this is not the option I would recommend.

If you plan to walk around Catania for a day or more, knowing from the beginning how to get around with its buses will help you a lot. You should know that this city has a very effective public transport system that will help you move around freely. This is a great advantage when you are a tourist in a new city, as you will be able to save money, as you won't need to pay taxis.

Interesting details

• Journey time: about 30 minutes.
• Price: approximately €2.
• Advantages of using this method: it is practical, relatively quick and cheap.
• Disadvantages of using this method: to get to the stops you have to walk for a few minutes, which can be a bit tiring if you are travelling with children or heavy luggage.
• How to book this transport: no reservations are required, you just need to buy the ticket and check the timetables.
• Recommended if... recommended if you are not travelling with too many belongings.

The option of travelling by train can be a bit longer. To start with, you need to take a bus which will drop you off at Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa station in three minutes. If you are travelling with little luggage, you could walk about ten minutes from the airport to the station. However, keep in mind that this bus service is free and runs every 10 minutes, so it could be a good option.

The trip from the station I mentioned before to Catania Centrale station takes about 20 minutes. The company in charge of this service is the state-owned Trenilatia. Tickets can be purchased at any of the stations. Note that the average cost of this trip is €2, which makes it the cheapest option on this list.

Taking the train is an ideal option if you are travelling with little luggage and few people. Remember to get to the train station and wait for your train to arrive. If you are travelling with restless children this may not be the best option for you. On the other hand, using the train from the first day can help you get to know the city better. Even with the help of the train you will be able to enjoy the best things to do in Catania.

On the other hand, on this train you can also make excursions from Catania to Palermo, Augusta or Syracuse. Although it may take a little longer each trip, it will take you to different areas and you will be able to make the most of your stay in Catania.

Interesting details

• Journey time: about 20 to 30 minutes.
• Price: approximately €2 one way.
• Advantages of using this method: you will spend very little money on your transfer and you will get to see a different part of Catania.
• Disadvantages of using this method: if your schedule does not coincide with the train or bus schedule, the waiting time may be longer. This can be inconvenient when you are travelling with a lot of luggage or are tired from the previous journey.
• How to book this transport: you don't need to book it, just go to the station and check the timetable.
• Recommended if... you are travelling with little luggage or few people.

Catania is a city that deserves to be explored calmly to enjoy each of its corners. If you plan to travel to Catania for more than two days, my recommendation is to rent a car. This service can be easily arranged when you arrive at the airport. In that process, you will have the option to choose the amount of time you need it, the model of the car and other details.

One of the companies you can find is Pepecar. You can find cars for hire from as little as €10 per day. If you want a vehicle with more seats or that is more luxurious, prices can go up to 70 € per day. Other car rental agencies you can contact include Budget, Sixt, Hertz, Italy Car Rent, among others.

Although these companies usually have immediate availability, during peak seasons it can be difficult to rent a car. My advice is to prepare at least four weeks in advance and rent your car with more calm and less stress. I assure you that it is better than arriving at the agency counter with your luggage and in a hurry.

If you are travelling to Catania with children, renting a car may be the most comfortable option. You will avoid the stress of travelling with them on public transport, as they are often anxious while you wait for the bus or train. However, be aware that this is the most expensive option on the list.

Details of interest

• Journey time: around 20 minutes or less when there is not much traffic.
• Price: between €10 and €70.
• Advantages of using this method: It is more convenient and can be used not only to get between your Catania and the airport, but also to explore the rest of the city.
• Disadvantages of using this method: it is much more expensive than the other options.
• How to book this transport: You can book this transport on the website of the agency of your choice or at the airport, as most of them have counters there to assist you in person.
• Recommended if... you have enough time and budget to travel in Catania without rushing. It is also recommended if you are travelling with children or even with elderly or disabled people who require more comfort.

A taxi is always the reliable option to resort to in case you cannot find any other way to get around. At Catania-Fontanarossa Airport you can hire this service from a company such as Taxi2Airport or Taxi Service by Antonio Zumbo. With them you will find a wide range of vehicles for you to choose the one that suits you best.

This company works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, if you are travelling to Catania during Christmas or any other high season, you should check for changes in their timetable or availability. On the other hand, this service usually has an average price of 30 €, but in high season this cost may increase. It will also depend on the specific place you want to get to in Catania.

What I like most about this option is the guarantee they offer to their clients. Taxi companies usually guarantee your transfer at all times. If the assigned driver cannot pick you up, they will inform you in advance and put another employee at your service. Also, as they have a large fleet of cars available, there is no chance of your trip being cancelled due to vehicle failure or similar reasons.

Interesting details

• Journeytime: around 20 minutes or less when there is not much traffic.
• Price: 30 €.
• Advantages of using this method: it is a fast and safe option, as well as offering a certified driver with the endorsement of a recognised company.
• Disadvantages of using this method: it is a bit expensive compared to public transport.
• How to book this transport: if you contact a taxi company, it is usually booked through their website or with a phone call.
• Recommended if... you don't want to take public transport as soon as you arrive at Catania airport and you prefer to travel in comfort, but you don't want to rent a car.

Another taxi service you can always turn to is provided by mobile applications that you can download on your smartphone. One of them is Uber, a very easy to use app where you can also book your car and choose the type of vehicle, among other things. This option is the one that can get you out of trouble if your first options didn't work out.

The best thing about it is that you can download it and use it at any time. However, this option is not always safe. The driver may have a last minute problem and cancel your trip. If there are a lot of people in Catania on that specific day, it might be difficult to get an available driver.

On the other hand, Uber does not guarantee you a top-quality service. Although you can check how the driver is by looking at his or her rating, this does not usually provide much information. Because of this, there is a chance that the driver you find may not be the best.

Despite the negative aspects, it is still an option that can get you out of trouble. Even if you do tours in Catania, you can order an Uber at any time to take you to a meeting point or to your hotel. I recommend it especially if the places you'll be visiting are far away from train stations and bus stops.

Interesting details

• Travel time: about 20-30 minutes or less when there is not too much traffic.
• Price: approximately €30, but the fare can change.
• Advantages of using this method: it is usually quick and will get you out of trouble if you can't find a safe way to get from one place to another.
• Disadvantages of using this method: Uber can cancel at the last minute and there is no guarantee of quality of service.
• How to book this transport: you can book or request it whenever you need it or even a day in advance. The app has a messaging section through which you can communicate with the driver and explain what you need.
• Recommended if... you don't have other safe options or if you have no problem with hiring this type of service and want to travel quickly regardless of the fare.