Taormina, one of the island’s best-loved towns, is located on the east coast of Sicily. Taormina is packed with stunning beaches, wonderful stores, and mouth-watering restaurants. Moreover, the town is also known for the Teatro Antico di Taormina, an ancient Greco-Roman theater still used today. Filled with charming Italian squares, never-ending cafes, fascinating history, and breathtaking views, Taormina is the perfect holiday destination.
So when landing at Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA), you have 3 different transportation options to get you to Taormina; you can either take a taxi or private transfer, a bus or a bus and train combination. Taxis are always a great option for those that are looking to start their holiday hassle-free, as taxis and private transfers are available 24/7 offering door-to-door services, and they take care of your luggage. On the other hand, those who are looking for a more budget-friendly option can take the train. And finally, for even cheaper transport to Taormina, a bus option is available from Catania airport.
4 options to go from Catania Airport to city center
It is important to know that you will be charged an extra €1 per piece of luggage, which is then added to the total fare. If you wish to travel at a fixed rate fare with no hidden costs, it is recommended to pre-book a private transfer in advance.
Your bus ticket includes one carry one hand luggage and one hold baggage free of charge, the latter should not exceed 50x40x25 cm and should not weigh more than 20 kg.
The Trenitalia train schedule terminates before that of the AMT Alibus; make sure to align both schedules to not be stranded at the Catania Centrale train station.
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How to get from Catania airport to Taormina by taxi
The fastest way to get to Taormina from Catania International Airport is by either taking a taxi or private transfer. Not only are taxis and transfers available 24/7 but they also offer door-to-door services, taking you and your travel partners to your Taormina hotel in under 1 hour. Going further, even though the taxi price may seem steep, you can always split the end fare making it a lot more affordable for everyone.
Taxi fare from Catania airport to Taormina
Taxis in Sicily calculate their prices using a taximeter, so based on the distance and time to your exact destination. In addition, taxi prices vary depending on whether you are travelling during the day, night or on a weekend. Your transfer from Catania airport to Taormina by taxi should cost around €70 during the day and around €80 at night and on weekdays. Nevertheless, if you wish to travel at a competitive fixed price with no extra hidden fees, you can pre-book your private transfer online.
Where do I get it from?
Catania airport’s official taxi ranks are located just outside of the Arrivals Hall, at the main level of the Terminal building.
Convenience
When taking a taxi or private shuttle from CTA airport to Taormina, not only are your personal belongings safely stored away, but you will get to your Taormina destination in no time, instead of having to worry about finding your way on public transport. Nonetheless, the 1-hour journey to Taormina can get quite expensive, especially that taxi prices vary. So if you are thinking about taking a taxi to your Taormina accommodation, it is highly recommended to book a private shuttle at a fixed price in advance.
Useful Tips
Please note that all Catania taxis accept payments in cash (euros) and bank cards.
Giving a tip to your taxi driver in Catania is quite uncommon, however, tips are always appreciated.
How to get from Catania airport to Taormina by bus
Another direct and great alternative to taking a taxi is to take the bus. The bus company is operated by Etna Trasporti and provides a direct bus route from Catania airport to Taormina, taking only 1 hour 25 minutes. The bus operates every hour from 06:45 to 19:45. Tickets are very affordable making this a perfect option for small groups or solo travellers and those that wish to travel on a budget.
How much is a bus ticket from Catania International Airport to Taormina?
The cost of a one-way ticket on the Etna Trasporti bus from Catania airport (CTA) to Taormina is €6. You may purchase your bus tickets at the ticket office outside the airport, online or directly on the bus.
Cost
€6
Trip Duration
1 H 25 Min.
There is a waiting time of up to 1 hour for the bus.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
The bus is available from 06:45 to 19:45 on Monday to Saturday and from 07:45 to 19:45 on Sunday.
Where do I get it from?
The Etna Trasporti bus stop is located at the main terminal’s arrivals hall on the right.
Convenience
Choosing to take the bus for your Catania airport to Taormina transport is a great option, especially for solo travellers or those travelling lightly. The bus is direct and the journey time is only slightly longer than a taxi. Going further, if you arrive in the early hours of the morning or late at night, you will have to find another way to get to Taormina. Lastly, if you are travelling with children or with heavy luggage, taking a taxi or private airport transfer might be a better option for you.
Timetables
Etna Trasporti schedule and prices
Useful Tips
Please note that the Etna Trasporti bus stop is in the city centre of Taormina; from there, you will either have to walk to your hotel or get a taxi from the bus stop.
If you choose to purchase a round trip on the bus, the price will be discounted on conditions that the return trip takes place on the same day as the outward journey.
How to get from Catania airport to Taormina by train
If you arrive after the last direct bus to Taormina, and wish to travel on a low budget, then your second best option would be to take the train. Unfortunately there are no direct trains from CTA airport meaning that you will firstly have to take the Catania airport AMT Alibus to the train station in Catania Centrale and then take a train to Taormina.
The AMT Alibus runs every 20 minutes from Catania International Airport and takes around 25 minutes to reach Catania Centrale train station. From there you can hop on the train which will get you to Taormina-Giardini station in 41 minutes. Your total travel time should be around 1 hour 5 minutes, excluding any waiting time.
How much is a bus and train ticket from Catania airport to Taormina?
The price of a one-way ticket on the AMT Alibus to Catania Centrale costs €2.50 and the price of a one-way train ticket on Trenitalia to Taormina station costs €4.70, bringing the total price of your journey to €7.20.
Cost
€7.20
Trip Duration
1 H 05 Min.
There is a waiting time of around 30 minutes to 1 hour for the train.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
The train from Catania Centrale to Taormina station is available daily from 06:26 to 21:09.
Where do I get it from?
You can find the AMT Alibus stop just outside the main terminal building, around 50 meters away from the airport’s entrance, and you can find the Trenitalia train from Catania to Taormina at Taormina-Giardini station.
Convenience
Although being a great cost-savvy alternative to taking the bus, the train requires a first bus connection to Catania Centrale train station. From there you might have to wait another 30 minutes to an hour before the train arrives. Moreover, when arriving at your destination, you will have to find your way to your Taormina accommodation from the train station, either by taxi or by foot; which can be tedious if you are travelling with children or heavy luggage.
Timetables
Trenitalia website
Schedule and prices
Useful Tips
Please note that some Trenitalia train journeys are longer than others, the journey time can go between 35 minutes and 55 minutes, depending on the train you take.
There are 15 direct trains from Catania Centrale to Taormina-Giardini everyday, although there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
Catania Airport private transfers
Powered by Welcome Pickups. Book a trained, English-speaking driver to pick you up for a fixed price with no hidden fees.
There are 3 different transportation options from Catania International Airport to Taormina; you can either take a taxi or private transfer, a direct bus or a combined bus and train trip.
What is the distance from Catania airport to Taormina?
Catania airport (CTA) is located 70km away from Taormina city centre. It takes around 1 hour by car or taxi, 1 hour 25 minutes by bus and 1 hour 5 minutes by combined bus and train (excluding waiting time).
How much is taxi from Catania airport to Taormina?
A taxi journey from Catania airport to Taormina is calculated using a taximeter; it costs around €70 during the day and €80 during the night or on a weekend.
The fastest way to get to Taormina from Catania International Airport is by either taking a taxi or private transfer. Not only are taxis and transfers available 24/7 but they also offer door-to-door services, taking you and your travel partners to your Taormina hotel in under 1 hour. Going further, even though the taxi price may seem steep, you can always split the end fare making it a lot more affordable for everyone.
Taxi fare from Catania airport to Taormina
Taxis in Sicily calculate their prices using a taximeter, so based on the distance and time to your exact destination. In addition, taxi prices vary depending on whether you are travelling during the day, night or on a weekend. Your transfer from Catania airport to Taormina by taxi should cost around €70 during the day and around €80 at night and on weekdays.
Nevertheless, if you wish to travel at a competitive fixed price with no extra hidden fees, you can pre-book your private transfer online.
Where do I get it from?
Catania airport’s official taxi ranks are located just outside of the Arrivals Hall, at the main level of the Terminal building.
Convenience
When taking a taxi or private shuttle from CTA airport to Taormina, not only are your personal belongings safely stored away, but you will get to your Taormina destination in no time, instead of having to worry about finding your way on public transport. Nonetheless, the 1-hour journey to Taormina can get quite expensive, especially that taxi prices vary. So if you are thinking about taking a taxi to your Taormina accommodation, it is highly recommended to book a private shuttle at a fixed price in advance.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreAnother direct and great alternative to taking a taxi is to take the bus. The bus company is operated by Etna Trasporti and provides a direct bus route from Catania airport to Taormina, taking only 1 hour 25 minutes. The bus operates every hour from 06:45 to 19:45. Tickets are very affordable making this a perfect option for small groups or solo travellers and those that wish to travel on a budget.
How much is a bus ticket from Catania International Airport to Taormina?
The cost of a one-way ticket on the Etna Trasporti bus from Catania airport (CTA) to Taormina is €6. You may purchase your bus tickets at the ticket office outside the airport, online or directly on the bus.
The bus is available from 06:45 to 19:45 on Monday to Saturday and from 07:45 to 19:45 on Sunday.
Where do I get it from?
The Etna Trasporti bus stop is located at the main terminal’s arrivals hall on the right.
Convenience
Choosing to take the bus for your Catania airport to Taormina transport is a great option, especially for solo travellers or those travelling lightly. The bus is direct and the journey time is only slightly longer than a taxi. Going further, if you arrive in the early hours of the morning or late at night, you will have to find another way to get to Taormina. Lastly, if you are travelling with children or with heavy luggage, taking a taxi or private airport transfer might be a better option for you.
Timetables
Etna Trasporti schedule and prices
Useful Tips
If you arrive after the last direct bus to Taormina, and wish to travel on a low budget, then your second best option would be to take the train. Unfortunately there are no direct trains from CTA airport meaning that you will firstly have to take the Catania airport AMT Alibus to the train station in Catania Centrale and then take a train to Taormina.
The AMT Alibus runs every 20 minutes from Catania International Airport and takes around 25 minutes to reach Catania Centrale train station. From there you can hop on the train which will get you to Taormina-Giardini station in 41 minutes. Your total travel time should be around 1 hour 5 minutes, excluding any waiting time.
How much is a bus and train ticket from Catania airport to Taormina?
The price of a one-way ticket on the AMT Alibus to Catania Centrale costs €2.50 and the price of a one-way train ticket on Trenitalia to Taormina station costs €4.70, bringing the total price of your journey to €7.20.
The train from Catania Centrale to Taormina station is available daily from 06:26 to 21:09.
Where do I get it from?
You can find the AMT Alibus stop just outside the main terminal building, around 50 meters away from the airport’s entrance, and you can find the Trenitalia train from Catania to Taormina at Taormina-Giardini station.
Convenience
Although being a great cost-savvy alternative to taking the bus, the train requires a first bus connection to Catania Centrale train station. From there you might have to wait another 30 minutes to an hour before the train arrives. Moreover, when arriving at your destination, you will have to find your way to your Taormina accommodation from the train station, either by taxi or by foot; which can be tedious if you are travelling with children or heavy luggage.
Timetables
Trenitalia website
Schedule and prices
Useful Tips
Sedan up to 3 passengers
€32Starting from 10.7 EUR / passenger
Minivan or 2xSedan up to 8 passengers
€40Starting from 5 EUR / passenger
Minbus or 3xSedan up to 12 passengers
€90Starting from 7.5 EUR / passenger
Frequently asked questions
How to get from Catania airport to Taormina?
There are 3 different transportation options from Catania International Airport to Taormina; you can either take a taxi or private transfer, a direct bus or a combined bus and train trip.
What is the distance from Catania airport to Taormina?
Catania airport (CTA) is located 70km away from Taormina city centre. It takes around 1 hour by car or taxi, 1 hour 25 minutes by bus and 1 hour 5 minutes by combined bus and train (excluding waiting time).
How much is taxi from Catania airport to Taormina?
A taxi journey from Catania airport to Taormina is calculated using a taximeter; it costs around €70 during the day and €80 during the night or on a weekend.
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