Taking a taxi in Catania
There are hundreds of taxis available across the port city of Catania, Sicily, making sightseeing a breeze. Official Catania taxis are regulated by the city council and are usually white sedans or station wagons that can seat up to four passengers.
Taxis can be hailed from the street. However, it’s more common to pick one up from a nearby taxi rank. Alternatively, you can book a radio taxi in Catania over the phone, via an app or by pre-booking it. If you arrive late at night, booking your Catania Airport taxi in advance will be extra helpful. In any case, using a taxi while on holiday in Catania takes the stress out of traveling, allowing you to relax and enjoy your time exploring.
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How much does a taxi cost?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FROM CATANIA AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTER | 18 € | 22 € | 15 MIN |
| FROM CATANIA AIRPORT TO SYRACUSE | 96 € | 100 € | 1 H 5 MIN |
| FROM THE CITY CENTRE TO TAORMINA | 62 € | 66 € | 45 MIN |
| FROM CATANIA AIRPORT TO THE TRAIN STATION | 10 € | 14 € | 10 MIN |
| CENTRAL STATION TO THE CITY CENTRE | 5 € | 9 € | 5 MIN |
| FROM PIAZZA DUORMO TO MOUNT ETNA | 48 € | 52 € | 55 MIN |
Catania taxi rates
Taxi fares in Catania are calculated using a taximeter, based on the time and distance travelled. This means that the price of your fare will depend on your exact destination and how much traffic there is at the time of travel.
Additionally, taxi fares in Italy are officially set by cities or districts. The Catania taxi fare is binding for all taxis and taxi companies in the city and is calculated using official taximeters installed in each taxi vehicle.
Tariff 1 – daily from 07:00 to 22:00
Base fare: €3
Price per km: €1
Waiting time per hour: €18
There are a few additional charges that may be added to your Catania taxi fare. You’ll be charged €1 for each piece of luggage and €6 for transfers from the airport. For night trips (between 22:00 and 07:00) an extra €4 will be added to the final fare and on Sundays an extra €2. If you book your taxi over the phone, a €1 call-out fee will be applied and if you pass any road tolls during your journey, they’ll be added to the final fare.
However, a 10-12 minute trip in the city centre should cost around €13. A trip to the airport with a Catania Airport taxi should cost around €16 during the day for 4 people.
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How to get a taxi in Catania
The Catania taxi service is reliable and grabbing a taxi from the street or a taxi rank is easy. To hail one, look for a taxi with an illuminated ‘TAXI’ sign on the roof of the vehicle and wave. During the busier holiday periods, finding a taxi might be a little more difficult, so it’s helpful to know where some of the main taxi ranks are located in the city.
You can identify taxi ranks in Catania by the color of the road or by the blue signs that say “TAXI”. Official taxi ranks can be found all around the city and are usually outside train stations such as Catania Central Station, shopping malls, hotels and popular tourist spots such as Piazza del Duomo.
How to get a taxi from Catania Airport
Regular taxis at Catania Airport are located outside the Arrivals Hall exit on the ground floor of Terminal A. If you land at Terminal C, which is common for Easy Jet flights, you’ll need to head to Terminal A which is just a one-minute walk away. A taxi from Catania Airport to the city center takes around 15 minutes and costs between €18 and €25 using a taximeter.
How to get a taxi from Catania Central Station
Catania Central Station is the main transportation hub for both trains and buses in Catania. To assist with onward travel, there is a taxi rank opposite the entrance of the train station building. The rank is marked and passengers should take the first taxi in line, ignoring any offers from unlicensed drivers that are not waiting in the queue. The journey to the city center only takes 5 minutes and the minimum fare shouldn’t be more than €5.
How to get a taxi from the Port of Catania
As you disembark and exit the Passenger Terminal, walk to the manned booth at the entrance to the terminal and turn right. You’ll see a car park that serves as a bus terminus and next to it, you’ll see the port taxi rank.
How to get a taxi from Piazza del Duomo
Vehicles don’t have access to the plaza, so if you need a taxi after a long day admiring the baroque architecture of Catania’s main square, you’ll have to walk around the corner towards the Abbey of St Agatha. There is a small taxi rank in front of the church where taxis are available 24 hours a day.
How to get a taxi from Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena
While this famous monastery is one of the most popular places to visit in Catania, keep in mind that it is much easier to get there by taxi than to be picked up by one. The surrounding streets are very narrow and full of paid parking, so there are no designated taxi ranks nearby. Instead, you will need to call a radio taxi, use an app or book one in advance with a company such as Welcome Pickups (yes, you can use Welcome Pickups for in-city rides too!). Alternatively, you can walk 10 to 15 minutes to the taxi rank near Piazza del Duomo.
Most popular Catania Taxi Apps
If you’re traveling late at night or from a location off the beaten track where taxis are less likely to pass, using a Catania taxi app may be a better choice. The most popular app is appTaxi which will connect you to a local radio taxi. Otherwise, Uber is available, however, only premium vehicles can be booked so expect to pay a higher price than you would pay for a regular taxi.
For airport transfers, booking a private transfer in advance is the most convenient and reliable option. Welcome Pickups guarantees that your driver will pick you up at a pre-arranged time and use a pre-arranged fare with no extra charges so you can start enjoying your holiday straight away with the peace of mind that comes with guaranteed on-time collection and a competitive fixed price.
Useful Catania Taxi Numbers
If you are on an internet detox holiday, you can call a Catania taxi number directly to connect with a driver. If your Italian isn’t up to scratch, you can ask your hotel or restaurant to call one for you. Some well-known companies are:
Radiotaxi: +39 (095) 330 966
Radio Taxi Catania: +39 (095) 8833
New Taxi Catania: +39 (348) 921 0175
Keep in mind that there is a small surcharge for bookings made over the phone.
Book your Catania taxi transfer in advance
Arriving in Catania and finding your way around this new city can be daunting, but knowing that your Catania taxi will be waiting for you at a set time and location with a fixed price, can put your mind at rest. Besides, spending your precious holiday time searching for a taxi rank or queuing for a taxi can be stressful.
That’s why we recommend booking a private Catania taxi in advance with Welcome Pickups. This way, you will avoid surcharges, high fees and long waiting times. Benefit from a friendly, local English-speaking driver who knows the city like the back of their hand and points out sites along the way.
Catania Taxi Tips
- It’s possible to pay for your Catania taxi βυ credit card or in cash in euros.
- Larger vehicles aren't as common so if you don't want to be left without a ride, it may be best to book a private transfer in advance so that your group can stick together.
- Tipping your taxi driver in Catania isn’t common, but it is appreciated, especially if they help you with your luggage or provide you with useful information. In this case, a 10% tip is the norm.
- As Catania taxi fares are calculated using a meter and vary according to many factors, it’s important to make sure that your driver has reset the taximeter and it’s running before you begin your journey.
- For longer journeys, it may be more cost-savvy to pre-book a private transfer online at a set fee rate.
- Only use taxis with an official company logo and a 'TAXI' sign on the roof.
Wheelchair-accessible Taxis in Catania
Unfortunately, not all taxis in Catania are equipped to transport wheelchairs. However, taxis usually have space in the trunk to carry a foldable wheelchair. However, if you need a specialized vehicle, Sicily Accessible Tours can arrange one for you. Also, there are several tour companies in the area that offer wheelchair-friendly packages.
Catania Taxi Safety and Complaints
Taxis in Catania are generally considered a very safe way to travel, but there are occasional reports of drivers not using the correct tariff or taking a longer route than necessary. That said, if you have a negative experience with a taxi in Catania or suspect that your driver has overcharged you, make sure to write down the taxi license number and the driver’s registration details. You can then fill out a complaint form and send it to the City Hall of Catania at [email protected].