By Plane 

Flights from mainland Italy and from the U.K. arrive at Italy's third largest airport, Aeroporto Vincenzo Bellini at Fontanarossa (tel. 095-7239111; www.aeroporto.catania.it), 7km (4 miles) from the city center. For information about which carriers fly into Catania,

From the airport, AMT city bus no. 457 (also known as Alibus; tel. 800-018696; www.amt.ct.it) runs into town every 20 minutes, with stops at Piazza Stesicoro and the Central Station. Another line, no. 524, makes stops along Via Dusmet and at Piazza Borsellino. T

You can catch a taxi outside the arrivals hall, or book one at Radio Taxi Catania (tel. 095-330966; www.radiotaxi.org). The bus will be far less expensive. Tip: Always negotiate the fare before getting in.

By Train 

Arrivals are at the Stazione Centrale, Piazza Papa Giovanni XXIII (tel. 892021; www.trenitalia.it). Trains arrive daily from Turin, Venice, Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome, and Naples, though not all are direct. Catania also has good, direct rail links to cities all over the east coast of Sicily (Messina, Taormina, Syracuse) and has good connections to other cities such as Ragusa and Noto. Train rides to cities like Palermo or Agrigento, to the west, can take 3 to 4 hours long and involve some transfers.

By Bus 

There is a direct bus service to Catania from Rome and other northern cities, but unless you really want to be sitting for 12 hours in crammed quarters with limited leg room, I highly discourage it. SAIS Trasporti (tel. 091-6166028; www.saistrasporti.it) runs a daily service from Rome's Tiburtina station. Etna Trasporti (tel. 095-530396; www.etnatrasporti.it) runs a service from Milan, Pisa, and Rome's Tiburtina station to Catania, with the journey from Milan taking nearly 18 hours.

By Boat 

Ferry service to Catania from Civitavecchia the service is handled by Grimaldi Lines (tel. 081-496444; www.grimaldi-lines.com). it is an excellent alternatives to driving all the way to Catania from the mainland, as you can board the car onto the ferry and relax the rest of the way.

By Car 

There are two national autostrade that link Catania to the rest of the island: from Messina, which will probably be your gateway into Sicily, take the A18 south, passing Taormina and continuing on to Catania. From Palermo, you can take the A19. From Syracuse, take the national highway SS114 northbound.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.