The distance from Catania Airport to the city center is roughly 6 km. If you want to make that journey, you have 4 options: airport taxi, private transfer, bus or train.
Taking a Catania Airport taxi or a Catania Airport transfer is the easiest and fastest way of completing your journey. You’ll get the benefit of a door-to-door service in a private vehicle on-demand. The journey time is less than 15 minutes.
If you’d rather take public transport, the Alibus provides a regular service to Catania city and takes around 25 minutes. The cheapest option is to take a train, however, the train station is not on-site at the airport. You’ll need to walk to the train station or take a shuttle bus which can make this method more challenging.
4 ways to get from Catania Airport to the city center
PRICE FOR 
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABILITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer | €32 | 15min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| A private transfer is the best solution for families traveling with young children or business travelers looking for reliable transportation. | ||||||
Taxi | €25 | 15min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| Airport taxis are ideal for travelers looking for door-to-door transportation at a lower cost. | ||||||
Bus (Alibus) | €8 | 20min | 04:40–00:00 | Convenience | Read more | |
| The bus is the best value-for-money solution for solo travelers or groups traveling on a tight budget. | ||||||
Train | €6.40 | 25min | 05:18–22:40 | Convenience | Read more | |
| The train may be the cheapest option but it's also the slowest so it's best for travelers with some time to spare. | ||||||
Taking a Catania Airport taxi to the city center is one of the best ways to travel. Not only do Catania taxis provide a door-to-door service taking you to your hotel in Catania Centrale in under 15 minutes, but they also take care of your luggage allowing you and your travel partners to relax and enjoy the ride. Moreover, Catania taxis are easy to recognize as they are white with the famous “Taxi” rooftop sign.
How much is a taxi from Catania Airport to the city?
Catania Airport taxis calculate their fares using taximeters, accounting for the time and distance traveled. On average, the taxi fare from Catania Airport to the city center is around €25 during the day and €30 at night. Night tariffs come into effect between 22:00 and 06:00 on Mondays to Saturdays and all day on Sundays.
There is also a surcharge of €1 per piece of large luggage and an airport toll of €6. However, the aforementioned estimates include the toll.
Where do I get a taxi from?
You can catch your taxi from Catania Airport to the city center from the official airport taxi ranks. These are located just outside of the Arrivals Hall. You’ll recognize the official city taxis via their white color and white and blue “TAXI” signs on the roof. The driver ID number is displayed all over the vehicle which clearly indicates you’re taking a trusted licensed taxi.
Convenience
Taking a taxi is always the best option when arriving in a new city, after a long flight, and especially if you are traveling with children or luggage. They provide fast and comfortable transfer services from the airport to your hotel in the city. You may have to wait for an available taxi, which you can avoid if you pre-book a private transfer.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreFor solo travelers or those traveling on a budget, a Catania Airport bus shuttle service is organized using the AMT Alibus from Catania Airport to the city center and the train station. The bus leaves every 25 minutes, from 04:40 to 00:30.
Despite having multiple stops, the bus journey into the center usually takes around 20 minutes. It passes Piazza Borsellino which is a 2-minute walk away from the historic center of Catania. It also stops at Catania Central Train Station.
How much is a bus from Catania Airport to the city?
The price of a one-way ticket on the AMT Alibus from Catania International Airport to the city center costs €4. This is a reusable bus ticket that is valid for 90 minutes and can be used on any other urban AMT line. You can purchase your ticket on board the bus in cash or by bank card. There are also ticket machines available at the airport.
The AMT Alibus is available daily from 04:40 to 00:00.
Where do I get a bus from?
You can find the AMT Alibus stop just outside the main terminal building, around 50 meters away from the airport’s entrance.
Convenience
Taking the Catania airport bus is a very convenient option as the bus has great operating hours and the waiting time is minimal. However, public transport is very popular amongst travelers, meaning that the bus can get very full. So for those traveling with luggage, children or in a big group, it would be easier to take a taxi or transfer to Catania city center.
Timetables
AMT Albus website
Catania Airport website
Useful Tips
While there isn’t a direct train from Catania Airport to the city center, it’s a relatively straightforward route. The AMTS shuttle connects Catania Airport to Fontanarossa Train Station. It departs every 10 minutes from 04:30 to 22:40.
Once you get to Fontanarossa Station, you can take the 8 minute direct train to Catania Central Station. Around 2-4 trains depart per hour between 05:18 and 23:18 every day. Therefore, there’s a wait time of up to 30 minutes for a train.
End to end, your journey time will be around 20-25 minutes.
How much is a train from Catania Airport to the city?
The AMTS shuttle bus from Catania Airport to Fontanarossa Train station costs €1. The train from Fontanarossa to Catania Central Station costs €2.20.
You can purchase a combined ticket for €3.20 online or at the transportation kiosk in the Arrivals Hall at Catania Airport. To do this, make sure you put the originating location as “Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa Bus”. This ensures that the shuttle bus ticket is included in the final price.
You can catch a train from Fontanarossa Station to Catania Central Train Station between 05:18 and 23:18 per person.
Where do I get a train from?
The AMTS shuttle bus departs from the lane immediately outside of Terminal A. It will be signposted with the destination “Fontanarossa”.
Convenience
Taking a train from Catania Airport to Catania city center takes roughly the same amount of time as taking the public bus. However, you’ll first have to take the shuttle and then find the correct train to Catania Central Station. Furthermore, once you get to Catania Train Station, you’ll need to find a taxi or other means of transport to get to your hotel. If you’re a solo traveler with minimal luggage, this could be a good cost-effective option for you. However, for comfort and ease, taking a taxi or transfer is preferable for most tourists.
Timetables
Trenitalia website
Useful Tips
While airport taxis are reliable, the best way to get from Catania Airport to the city center is to take a Catania Airport transfer. Pre-booking a transfer allows you to skip the taxi queue. Plus you’ll have a comfortable, high-spec vehicle to transport you and your loved ones to your destination.
Choosing a professional transfer company like Welcome Pickups has other benefits such as:
With your airport transfer booked in advance, you’ll have the peace of mind that your journey to your hotel is taken care of.
How much is a private transfer from Catania Airport to the city?
Welcome Pickups provides Catania airport transfers to the city for €32 for up to 3 people.
For larger vehicles up to 8 people, the cost is €40. Minivans for 9-12 people cost €90.
When you enter your details into our online portal, you’ll receive a fixed quote for your journey including any airport tolls and surcharges. That way, you don’t have to worry about fluctuating taximeters or hidden fees.
Booking is simple via our website or mobile app (App Store || Google Play). All you need is your flight number, contact details, passenger numbers, destination and desired pickup time.
Private transfers are available 24/7 from CTA Airport.
Where do I get a private transfer from?
After booking online and getting your flight to Catania, your local English-speaking driver will be waiting for you in the Arrivals Hall, holding a sign with your name on it. After greeting you warmly to Catania, your driver will help you with your luggage and guide you to your pre-selected vehicle.
If your flight is delayed, we’ll let your driver know so that they can adjust your collection time. You can relax knowing your driver will be at Arrivals when you get there.
Convenience
Catania Airport taxis are a solid choice, but private airport transfers give you an extra level of convenience and personalisation. For not that much more than a local taxi, you’ll get to skip the taxi rank and public transport. Instead, you’ll receive a top-quality, seamless service with a trained local driver.
Useful Tips
Sedan up to 3 passengers
€32Starting from 10.7 EUR / passenger
Minivan up to 8 passengers
€40Starting from 5 EUR / passenger
Minbus up to 12 passengers
€90Starting from 7.5 EUR / passenger
Frequently asked questions
Is there a train from Catania Airport to Catania?
There isn’t a direct train from Catania Airport to Catania. However, Fontanarossa Train Station is just 600 meters away from the airport. Therefore, it’s easily accessible by taking the AMTS shuttle from Catania Airport to the train station, and then a direct train to Catania Central Train Station. The journey shouldn’t take longer than 25 minutes.
How much is the bus from Catania Airport to city?
The Alibus from Catania Airport to the city center costs €4. This ticket is valid for up to 90 minutes on any AMT urban services.
How much does a taxi cost from Catania Airport to city center?
A taxi from Catania Airport to the city center costs around €25 during the day and €30 at night. However, these are just estimates. Local Catania taxi drivers use a taximeter to calculate their fares. For a low, guaranteed fare with no surprise fees, you can pre-book an airport taxi or taxi online with Welcome Pickups.
How do I get from the airport to the center of Catania?
You can travel from Catania Airport to the city center in 4 ways: taxi, private transfer, bus or train. The easiest method is to take a taxi or transfer as you’ll get a door-to-door service. Buses depart every 25 minutes and costs €4 per person. The cheapest method is to take the train from Fontanarossa Train Station to Catania Central Station, which costs €3.50 per person.
Olivia De Santos
Olivia De Santos is a seasoned travel writer and adventurer with bylines in Lonely Planet and A Way Abroad. With over ten years of professional writing experience and a degree in Linguistics, she blends cultural insight and personal storytelling to help travelers see the world in a new light.
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