Catania Airport Transfers

Catania is the second most populated city in all of Sicily and is also among 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 kilometers from the center 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 transportation. 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 according to the number of people traveling with you, the amount of luggage or simply by personal taste. It can also be a good service to hire to enjoy everything in Catania and not worry about using public transportation. The price can vary between 40 and 50 €.

Interesting details

• Duration of the trip: 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 hire this service at least two days in advance and it is usually more expensive than other options.

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

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

If you do not have enough money to book a private transfer, a shuttle bus ride may be the best 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 love 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 transportation that will help you to move freely. This is a great advantage when you are a tourist in a new city, since you will be able to save money, as you will not need to pay cabs.

Interesting details

• Travel time: about 30 minutes.
• Price: approximately 2 €.
• Advantages of using this method: it is practical, relatively fast and economical.
• Disadvantages of using this method: to get to the stops you have to walk a few minutes which can become heavy if you are traveling with children or heavy luggage.
• How to book this transport: it does not require reservations, you just have to buy the ticket and check the schedules.
• Recommended if... recommended if you are not traveling with too many belongings.

The option to travel by train can be a bit longer. To start with, you have to take a bus that in three minutes will drop you off at the Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa station. If you are traveling with little luggage, you could walk about ten minutes from the airport to there. Anyway, 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 offering this service is the state-owned Trenilatia. Tickets can be purchased at any of the stations. Note that this trip has an average cost of 2 €, which makes it the cheapest option on this list.

Taking the train is an ideal option if you are traveling with little luggage and few people. Remember that you must go to the train station and wait for your train to arrive. If you are traveling with very 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.

Details of interest

• Trip duration: about 20 to 30 minutes.
• Price: about 2 € one way trip.
• 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 uncomfortable when you are traveling with a lot of luggage or are tired from the previous trip.
• How to book this transportation: you don't need to book it, just go to the station and check the schedules.
• Recommended if... you are traveling 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. You can easily get this service 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 rent starting at 10 € per day. If you want a vehicle with more seats or that is more luxurious, prices can reach up to 70 € per day. Other agencies you can contact to rent a car are Budget, Sixt, Hertz, Italy Car Rent, among others.

Although these companies usually have immediate availability, during the high seasons it can be difficult to rent a vehicle. 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 traveling to Catania with children, renting a car may be the most comfortable option. You will avoid the stress of traveling with them on public transportation, as they tend to be anxious while you wait for the bus or train to arrive. However, you should keep in mind that this is the most expensive option on the list.

Details of interest

• Travel time: about 20 minutes or less when there is not much traffic.
• Price: between 10 and 70 €.
• Advantages of using this method: it offers you more comfort and you can use it not only to move 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 transportation: you can book this transportation 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 haste. It is also recommended if you are traveling with children or even with elderly or disabled people who require more comfort.

Cab is always the reliable option you can resort to in case you can't find any other way to move around. At Catania-Fontanarossa Airport you can hire this service from a company like 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 traveling to Catania during Christmas or other high season you should check for changes in their schedule 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 customers. Cab companies usually guarantee your transfer at all times. If the assigned driver is unable to pick you up, they will inform you in advance and put another employee at your service. In addition, as they have a large fleet of cars available, there is no possibility of them canceling your trip due to vehicle failure or similar reasons.

Details of interest

• Travel time: about 20 minutes or less when there is not much traffic.
• Price: 30 €.
• Advantages of using this method: it is a fast and safe option, in addition to offering a certified driver with the endorsement of a recognized company.
• Disadvantages of using this method: it is a bit expensive compared to public transport.
• How to book this transportation: if you contact a cab 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 comfortably, but you don't want to rent a car.

Another cab service you can always turn to is available through mobile apps 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.

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 may 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 usually does not offer 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 move to a meeting point or to your hotel. I recommend it especially if the places you will visit are far away from train stations and bus stops.

Interesting details

• Travel time: about 20 to 30 minutes or less when there is not much traffic.
• Price: about 30 €, but the fare may change.
• Advantages of using this method: it is usually fast and will get you out of trouble if you can't find a way to move safely from one place to another.
• Disadvantages of using this method: Uber can cancel at the last minute and there is no guarantee of its quality of service.
• How to book this transportation: you can book it or request it at the moment 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 have no other safe options or if you have no problem with hiring this type of service and want to travel fast regardless of the fare.