How to get around in Sicily 

One of the most popular questions I get asked by readers is ‘what’s the best way to get around Sicily?’ 

And it’s a good question to ask considering Sicily’s size and the number of places there are to visit. 

Which is why in this post, I’ll be sharing the different ways on how to get around in Sicily. 

A helpful travel guide for first-time visitors, use this post to help plan your own trip to Italy. 

Sicily isn’t just about visiting the cities or its coast.

It’s an island where many Italians come to vacation and one that also features on many people’s Italy bucket lists. 

How to get around in Sicily 

1. By car 

The number one way of getting around Sicily is by car.

It’s convenient if you plan on doing something like a road trip around Sicily or for visiting several destinations. 

You can rent a car from one of Sicily’s major airports in Palermo (Falcone-Borsellino) or Catania (Fontanarossa).

All the recognized names are here, including Hertz, Sixt and Avis. You’ll also find Italian rental companies alongside the more established brands. Book ahead Like with hotels or tours, you can get a more competitive price if you book your car ahead of time.  

However, always be sure to read the small print. We learned our lesson the hard way when collecting our car on our road trip around south Sardinia.

There was a dispute regarding our method of payment, which left us having to pay an extra €250 ($249/£226). 

My top tips on renting a car in Italy 

Stick to well-known car rental brands 

The lower prices offered online by smaller companies may be tempting but if something goes wrong it’s harder to dispute.

What’s more, larger companies are likely to have better social media managers, to whom you can present your case. 

Make sure to pay with the same credit/debit card 

Secure your booking with the same credit/debit card and don’t forget to take it with you when you travel. 

Be prepared for a change of plans 

There have been 2 occasions when we’ve booked a car in Italy, and it wasn’t the car that was advertised. Did it change our plans? No. But it may be important to you if you’re traveling with kids or are planning a big trip. 

Be patient 

Maybe we’ve just been unlucky, but we’ve found it a slow process to get our car rental in Italy. From long lines in the airport to not enough staff, we’ve typically waited over 40 minutes before getting the keys. 

My complete guide on renting a car in Italy provides more helpful tips and things to look out for.

Map of Sicily

Getting gas in Sicily 

While renting a car may be a headache, we’ve never had a problem getting gas in Sicily. Gas stations are frequent and reliable. Prices can be on the higher side, but this isn’t exclusive to Italy.

Some of the major gas stations in Italy include: 

• Eni 
• Q8 
• Esso 
• Agip 
• Tamoil 

Driving in Sicily 

Personally, I don’t enjoy driving in Sicily. And I tell you that from the passenger side.  It has nothing to do with the narrow roads that you’ll find in smaller cities but with the drivers.  

Erratic driving and playing loose with the rules are some of the things I’ve seen while living in Sicily. This doesn’t relate to all drivers of course; what I’m referring to comes from personal experience. 

Parking in Sicily 

The parking rules in Sicily are the same that you’ll find across Italy. To sum it up: 

• A blue marked space means you must pay at the meter for a ticket and display this on your dashboard 
• A yellow marked space means these are spaces exclusively for residents 
• When you see the sign ‘passo carrabile’ on a door, you can’t park here. It’s usually a garage door or a sign to indicate private property. 

ZTL sign

When driving through any town centers or small city centers in Italy, you may see a ‘ZTL’ sign. This means ‘Zona Traffico Limitato’. Systems to show this can differ across Italy.  

When driving on the Amalfi Coast, some towns had a traffic light system to indicate whether the ZTL was active. In another small borgo called Asolo, we saw a simple ZTL sign with the hours of operation shown beneath. 

It's important to know about the ZTL when driving in Italy. If you pass through when it’s active, you may incur a fine. 

Keeping safe when driving in Sicily 

Personally, we’ve not had any experiences of feeling unsafe when driving in Sicily. Like anywhere else in the world, make sure your car is closed properly and that you don’t leave any valuables on show.  

Park in a secure location and ask your hotel before booking if they’ve a private parking space for hotel guests. 

Hire a private driver 

If the sound of driving in Sicily doesn’t sound appealing, you can consider hiring a driver. There are several companies that will take you to your desired destination. Many will operate differently, so shop around before booking. 

Things to consider include: 

• Is the cost of the driver and car per hour or for the day? 
• Is there a limit on how far they will take you from your hotel/accommodation? Is the cost of the gas included? 
• Are there other hidden fees you should know about? 

Car sharing apps and taxis 

Popular car-sharing apps like Uber don’t widely exist in Italy. You’ll find them in larger cities like Rome or Milan but the services are a little different and usually more expensive. 

The options to choose from are Uber Black, Uber Lux and Uber Van. I discuss this topic in greater detail in my guide on taking taxis in Italy.

Speaking from our own experience, taking taxis in Sicily can be quite expensive. While they may be okay for shorter trips, I wouldn’t recommend them for traveling long distances. 

2. By train 

Getting around Sicily by train can be a great way of seeing the island plus it’s cost-effective for budget travelers.  

In Sicily, the primary train operator is Trenitalia. It connects larger cities to smaller towns, and it also offers connections to bigger cities like Palermo and Syracuse. To give you an idea, it costs €14 ($15/£12) for a one-way ticket from Palermo to Catania airport.

It’s a reasonable cost for a journey that lasts around 2hr and 30 minutes. The main train service in Sicily is called ‘Trenitalia Sicilia.’

It’s a division of Trenitalia specifically dedicated to serving the region. Alongside Trenitalia, there’s also the Ferrovia Circumetnea train service, but this only encircles Mount Etna. It’s a quaint way to enjoy scenic views of the volcano while passing through several towns and villages. 

Many train services don’t pass through very rural parts of Sicily. So, if you’re planning on visiting, it’s better to rent a car or take a bus. 

3. By bus   

Buses are a popular way to get around Sicily, particularly for shorter distances and rural areas not served by trains.   

Several companies operate bus services across the island, including AST, SAIS, and Etna Trasporti.

The advantage of taking buses is that they’re cost-effective. The downside is that the service can be slower due to frequent stops and traffic.  

Regional buses are frequent in Sicily and connect major cities, towns and villages across the island.

The primary operator is AST (Azienda Siciliana Trasporti), which offers regular services within the Palermo province. Sicilbus is another provider that operates within the province. 

AST also provides services called ‘autolinee urbane’ outside Palermo. Other bus networks to note include SAIS Trasporti and Etna Trasporti. These provide intercity connections and tickets are also reasonably priced.  

Where can you buy bus tickets in Sicily?  

There are several ways you can buy bus tickets in Sicily. Some networks like AST have an app (you must download first) where you can buy tickets online in advance. Other ways include buying tickets from recognized vendors or from the bus driver.   

Ticket prices naturally will differ depending on the length of your journey. Prices can range from €1.40 ($1.50/£1.20) for a one-way ticket to €5.60 ($5.98/£4.80).  

In the larger cities in Sicily, you can also pay for your ticket via contactless payment with your credit or debit card.  

Other bus services in Sicily   

A popular service you find in many cities worldwide is the hop-on-hop-off tourist bus. They can be a good way of getting to know a new city and to see its major landmarks.   

There's a hop-on-hop-off bus service in Palermo. Your ticket provides the flexibility of being able to jump on and off as many times as you wish.

4. By ferry  

Ferries are the most cost-effective way for how to get around in Sicily.   

Liberty Lines is one of the main ferry (traghetto) providers in Italy. To reach the Aeolian Islands, ferry services from the port of Milazzo will get you there in around 1 hour.   

If possible, book your tickets beforehand to avoid the lines at the ticket office in Milazzo. Ticket prices can start from around €39.86 ($43/£34) for 2 people (one way, car not included)*. Check the website for up-to-date prices and availability.  

To get to any of the Egadi Islands, look for ferry services that depart from Trapani or Marsala. For Pantelleria, you should also search for services from Trapani.  

Visit Sicily from the mainland — how to get around in Sicily 

It’s also possible to visit Sicily (by car) directly by ferry from the mainland. There are services like Grimaldi Lines that depart from Naples and arrive in Palermo and vice versa.

Another alternative is to take a ferry from Reggio Calabria directly to Messina or to Milazzo.   

Boat tours

Boat tours in and around Sicily are another great choice for getting around the island. Some of my favorite boat tours to the Aeolian Islands include:

• Panarea and Stromboli boat trip by night (from Milazzo)
• Lipari and Vulcano day trip from Milazzo
• Sunset trekking at Sciara del Fuoco (Stromboli)
• Lipari, Panarea and Stromboli boat trip (from Tropea)

5. Visit Sicily by motorbike/bicycle   

Sicily's diverse landscapes and scenic routes make it an excellent destination for cycling enthusiasts. But unless you’re planning a cycling tour of Sicily, bicycles probably aren’t the best mode of transport.  

Instead, renting a motorbike could provide a faster alternative for getting around Sicily. There’s less risk of not finding parking in popular destinations plus motorbikes can be great fun.  

The downside to motorbikes is if you’re traveling in Sicily with a family. There’s limited passenger and baggage space and it’s simply not convenient.  

What are your thoughts on this post on how to get around in Sicily? Which mode of transport best suits your travel needs? Let me know in the comments below 

*correct at time of publishing 

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