Getting around

By air — the long-haul leg

Arriving from far away, you can often fly straight in. Catania–Fontanarossa runs seasonal direct service to New York, rare for the south; otherwise connect through Rome, Milan, or a European hub.

Catania–Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) — the real gateway

Italy’s busiest airport south of Naples, just 5 km from the centre, with wide European links. Catania–Fontanarossa Airport.

From the airport

The ALIBUS shuttle (AMTS) runs airport-to-centre in about 20 minutes for €4, valid 90 minutes across the whole network.

By train

Catania sits on Sicily's east-coast line; the coast north and south is reachable by rail, though island trains are slow (times below).

On foot

The baroque centre is compact and walkable. Most daily life happens on foot around Via Etnea and the piazzas.

AMTS buses + metro

AMTS runs the city buses and the FCE runs the metro line, each with its own low-cost ticket: an AMTS bus single is €1.40, valid 90 minutes, and a day ticket €3.50 (AMTS, 2026); the FCE metro sells a single ride for €1.00. Coverage is decent on the main corridors, patchier off them.

A note on driving

In the centre, a car is a liability: chaotic traffic, tight lava-stone streets, scarce parking, and a ZTL. Useful for Etna and the coast; a burden for daily city life.

Intercity buses (FlixBus, Itabus)

For longer hops in Sicily, coaches often beat the slow trains. Catania to Palermo is faster by FlixBus than by rail, with Itabus another option.