How to Get Around Sicily: Car, Train or Bus?

On By saar.decosterIn Europe, Italy

Wondering how to get around Sicily? You have a few options, but after backpacking around the island myself, there’s one thing I would definitely do differently: rent a car.

My cousin and I travelled around Sicily entirely by public transport, and yes, it worked. But if you’re planning to see several parts of the island in a relatively short amount of time, having your own car will make your trip much easier.

Sicily has trains and buses connecting many of the main destinations, but connections aren’t always as straightforward as you might hope. Journeys can take longer than expected, and some smaller coastal towns and beaches are much easier to reach with your own transport.

So, should you travel Sicily by train and bus or rent a car? Here’s what I learned. If you’re still planning your overall trip, you can also start with my Sicily Travel Guide for a complete 2-week itinerary and practical tips.

How to Get Around Sicily

The main ways to travel around Sicily are:

  • Rental car – the easiest option for a road trip and reaching smaller places
  • Train – useful between many of the larger towns and cities
  • Bus – helpful for destinations not directly connected by train
  • Organised tours – useful for specific day trips if you don’t want to drive

If you’re travelling on a backpacker budget, public transport is definitely possible. If you’re also trying to work out how much a Sicily trip will cost, your transport choice can make a noticeable difference to your overall budget.

Travelling Sicily by Public Transport

This is how I travelled around Sicily.

The railway network connects many important destinations, including Palermo, Cefalù, Messina, Taormina and Catania. Buses and train-and-bus connections can also help you reach places that aren’t directly served by rail.

So yes, you can travel around Sicily without a car.

We did it ourselves, and it worked because we weren’t trying to see absolutely everything.

The biggest downside was the time.

Be Prepared for Long Travel Days

One of our journeys from Palermo to Taormina took almost 8 hours.

The scenery was beautiful, but with changes, stops and waiting around, it became a seriously long travel day.

And this was probably the biggest lesson I learned from backpacking around Sicily:

Don’t plan your itinerary too tightly if you’re relying on public transport.

Give yourself some flexibility and always check the latest timetable before travelling. Services can change, and maintenance or infrastructure works can sometimes mean changes or replacement buses.

If you have plenty of time and don’t mind slower travel, public transport can actually be part of the experience.

But if you’re only in Sicily for 10 days and want to see a lot of the island, those long journeys can eat up a significant part of your trip.

But if you’re only in Sicily for 10 days and want to see a lot of the island, those long journeys can eat up a significant part of your trip. If you’re still deciding how much time you need, I’ve also written a guide to how many days to spend in Sicily, with itinerary ideas from 3 days to 2 weeks.

Travelling Sicily by Car

If you can afford it, I’d seriously consider renting a car in Sicily.

This gives you much more freedom to stop whenever you want, explore smaller towns and reach beaches and coastal areas that aren’t as convenient by public transport.

You can also create your own route instead of planning your entire trip around train and bus schedules.

A Sicily road trip could include places such as:

You absolutely don’t have to visit all of these. In fact, I wouldn’t recommend trying to squeeze every destination into one trip.

Pick a route that makes sense for you and leave enough time to actually enjoy each place.

The best route will also depend on when you’re travelling, especially if you want to combine cities, beaches and outdoor stops. I’ve also put together a guide to the best time to visit Sicily.

Is Driving in Sicily Difficult?

Driving in Sicily can feel different from driving in other parts of Europe, particularly in busy cities.

Traffic can be hectic, streets can be narrow and parking isn’t always easy to find.

For that reason, I’d avoid having a rental car for your entire stay if you’re spending several days in a city such as Palermo.

A good option can be to combine public transport with a rental car. Spend a few days in Palermo without a car, then pick one up when you’re ready to explore more of the island.

That way, you’re not paying for a car while it’s sitting unused in a city.

Compare Car Rental Options in Sicily

If you’re planning a Sicily road trip, it’s worth comparing rental prices before booking. Prices can vary depending on your dates, pick-up location, drop-off location and the type of car you need.

Car rental options in Sicily:

One-Way Car Rentals

For a full Sicily road trip, also check whether a one-way rental works for your itinerary.

You don’t necessarily have to return your car to the same location. For example, you could potentially fly into Palermo, explore western and central Sicily by car, and finish around Catania before flying home.

Just check the one-way fee and rental conditions before booking.

Travelling Sicily by Train

Trains are one of the easiest public transport options for connecting larger destinations.

They’re particularly useful for routes such as:

Palermo → Cefalù → Messina → Taormina → Catania

This can work really well if you’re travelling between the main cities and don’t need to visit lots of smaller places along the way.

The main thing to remember is that Sicily is a large island. A journey that looks short on the map isn’t necessarily quick by public transport.

Travelling Sicily by Bus

Buses can be useful for reaching places that aren’t directly connected by train.

They’re also an important part of getting around locally once you’ve reached a destination.

The downside is that bus schedules and routes can sometimes be less straightforward to understand, especially when you’re trying to connect several destinations.

My advice: check your route before travelling and don’t rely on having a perfect connection.

Woman walking through a charming street in Taormina, Sicily

Can You Travel Sicily Without a Car?

Yes, absolutely.

I travelled around Sicily without one, so I know it’s possible.

I’d choose public transport if:

  • you’re travelling on a tight budget
  • you have plenty of time
  • you’re mainly visiting larger cities
  • you don’t mind slower travel
  • you enjoy travelling by train and bus

I’d consider renting a car if:

  • you only have around 10–14 days
  • you want to see several parts of the island
  • you want to visit smaller towns and beaches
  • you want flexibility
  • you’re planning a proper Sicily road trip

My Recommendation for Getting Around Sicily

If I went back to Sicily, I’d probably combine both options.

I’d stay in Palermo for a few days without a car, then rent a car and explore more of the island.

That gives you the best of both worlds: you don’t have to deal with parking and traffic in the city, but you get the freedom of having your own transport once you start exploring the coast and smaller destinations.

My biggest regret from my own trip wasn’t visiting too few places.

It was simply spending almost eight hours travelling from Palermo to Taormina when having a car would have made the journey much easier.

So if you’re planning your own Sicily trip, think about how much time you actually have.

Public transport works. A car gives you freedom. And if you’re trying to see a lot of Sicily in a short time, that freedom can make a huge difference.

Planning Your Trip to Italy?

Planning a trip to Italy can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re choosing between huge historic cities, beautiful coastlines, charming smaller towns, mountains, lakes and islands.

That’s why I’ve created my Italy Travel Guide, where I share destination guides, things to do, local tips and my personal experiences from travelling around Italy.

→ START HERE: Italy Travel Guides

OR

START BY AREA

→ Northern Italy Travel guide
→ Rome Travel guide
→ Sicily Travel guide

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FAQ: Getting Around Sicily

What is the best way to get around Sicily?

A rental car is a convenient option if you want to explore several parts of Sicily, especially smaller towns and coastal areas. Trains and buses are useful for travelling between many major destinations.

Can you travel around Sicily without a car?

Yes. Sicily has trains and buses connecting many destinations, and I travelled around the island using public transport myself. However, journeys can sometimes take much longer than expected.

Is it better to rent a car in Sicily?

If you’re planning a road trip and want to visit several parts of the island, renting a car can give you much more flexibility. For city trips focused on places such as Palermo, you may not need one.

Is public transport good in Sicily?

Public transport can be useful, particularly between larger cities, but connections aren’t always straightforward and travel times can be long. Always check current schedules before travelling.

How long does it take to travel around Sicily?

It depends on your route and transport. Sicily is a large island, and travelling between destinations by public transport can take significantly longer than driving.

Where should I start a Sicily road trip?

Palermo and Catania are both useful starting points depending on your itinerary and flights. You can also plan a one-way road trip and return your rental car at a different location, subject to availability and rental conditions.

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