Getting There -- From the east, Syracuse is often the rail gateway into Ragusa, with three trains per day making the 2-hour journey for a cost of 6.05€ ($7.25) one-way. It's also possible to take one of three trains per day from Palermo; the 6-hour trip costs 14€ ($17) one-way. There are no direct trains from Palermo -- it is necessary to change trains in Caltanissetta, Catania, or Gela.
Ragusa also has a bus link with Syracuse. AST (tel. 0932-681818) runs seven buses per day on the 2-hour run; the fare is 5.80€ ($6.95) one-way.
The train and bus stations in Ragusa are at Piazza del Popolo and the adjoining Piazza Gramsci.
Motorists touring southeastern Sicily who visited our last stopover in Noto can continue southwest along Route 115 to the town of Ispica, at which point the highway swings northwest toward Ragusa.
Visitor Information -- The tourist office, Via Capitano Bocchieri 33 (tel. 0932-221511), is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9am to 1:30pm and Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 1:30pm and 4 to 6pm.
Fast Facts -- In case of emergency, dial tel. 113. For a medical emergency, dial tel. 118. The local hospital is Ospedale Civile, Via da Vinci (tel. 0932-600111). Call the police at tel. 112. The post office, at Piazza Matteotti (tel. 0932-232287), is open Monday to Saturday 8am to 6:30pm.
Getting Around -- If you don't want to make the steep climb linking Ibla with Superiore, you can take city bus no. 3 departing from in front of the cathedral or from Piazza del Popolo; the fare is .80€ (95¢) one-way. It's a hair-raising ride. The bus will let you off in Ibla at Piazza Pola or Giardini Iblei, most central for exploring the medieval and baroque town.
