Catania to Taormina: the short answer
Take the bus. A transfer company reported in August 2026 that the airport to Taormina bus takes 80 to 90 minutes and costs €7 one way or €14 return. The operators are Etna Trasporti and Interbus, with the line numbers ET07 and IN14. From the city bus terminal on Via Archimede the sample journey took about 70 minutes.
This page is about the journey. For what to do once you arrive, see the guide to things to do in Taormina. It is an independent guide with no connection to any bus company.
Bus, train and transfer compared
Figures from 2026 reports. Check the current timetable before you go.
| Option | Journey time | Price (adult) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus from the airport | 80 to 90 minutes | €7 one way, €14 return | Etna Trasporti or Interbus, lines ET07 and IN14. |
| Bus from the city terminal, Via Archimede | About 70 minutes | – | Sample journey from the August 2026 report. |
| Train | – | – | Taormina-Giardini station is not in the upper town, so you need a second connection. |
| Private transfer or taxi | – | – | Price depends on the provider. Agree it before you travel. |
Taormina and Etna tours from Catania
Guided day trips and tours from Catania, with live prices and availability.
By bus from Catania Airport
The simplest option from the airport.
Interbus advertises daily direct connections from the airport, and Etna Trasporti has its own airport page. Both operate the Taormina line. At €7 one way and €14 return in the 2026 report, it is much cheaper than a taxi, and the bus ends in the town. The first and last departure of the day depend on the season, so look at the operator's timetable for your date and write down the last bus back.
If you are already in the city, the sample journey from the terminal on Via Archimede took about 70 minutes. If you arrive at the airport and want to go into town first, the Catania Airport page compares Alibus, train and taxi.
By train: mind the station
Taormina-Giardini is not the town.
The railway station is called Taormina-Giardini, and it is not the bus station in the higher town centre. After the train you need another connection up to Taormina, so ask about the onward bus or taxi and its price on arrival. The seaside town by the station has its own guide: see Giardini Naxos.
On the railway towards Messina, Trenitalia announced changes, cancellations and replacement buses on selected regional trains for the nights of 17 and 18 October and 28 and 29 October 2026. If you travel at night, check your train. For the rail works towards Syracuse, see the next section.
Which option suits you?
A simple way to decide.
If you want the least effort, take the bus: a published fare and a journey of 70 to 90 minutes each way. A day trip then means roughly three hours on the road, so start early and fix your return before you leave. If you are staying a night or two in Taormina, you can use the same bus, but confirm the baggage rules with the operator first. The train only makes sense if you are already near a railway station and are happy to add a connection at the other end. A private transfer or taxi suits groups and late arrivals; agree the price in advance, as no standard fare applies.
Whichever you choose, buy or reserve tickets where the operator advises and keep the confirmation on your phone. If your plan depends on one particular departure, look at the operator's page the evening before.
Catania to Syracuse
The same question in the other direction.
Many visitors combine Taormina with a trip south. An Interbus timetable for 4 August 2025 shows a journey of 80 minutes to Syracuse; treat it as an example for one date and check the current timetable. Do not count on the train this autumn. From 1 October to 12 December 2026 engineering works replace trains with buses between Catania and Syracuse. In the example run from Syracuse, bus PA510 leaves at 04:25, reaches Fontanarossa at 06:10 and Catania Centrale at 06:28, a journey of about 1 hour 45 minutes to the airport. The Syracuse side of the trip is described in Catania to Syracuse.
Before you go
Four practical points.
Check the timetable
The 2026 figures come from a report dated 11 August. A current timetable may differ.
Note the last bus back
Do not rely on the late evening. Write down the final departure from Taormina before you start.
Ash days
On 28 September 2026 flights were suspended because of Etna ash. Keep a buffer if you have a flight the day after your trip.
Have a plan B
If the bus is full or cancelled, a taxi or private transfer is the alternative. Agree the price first.
More from Catania
Other ways to use your time in the city.
Catania to Taormina: frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Catania to Taormina?
By bus from the airport, 80 to 90 minutes, according to an August 2026 report. From the city terminal on Via Archimede the sample journey took about 70 minutes.
How much is the bus from Catania to Taormina?
€7 one way and €14 return in the August 2026 report. Check the current fare with Etna Trasporti or Interbus.
Which bus company runs to Taormina?
Etna Trasporti and Interbus, with the line numbers ET07 and IN14.
Does the train go to Taormina?
The train stops at Taormina-Giardini station, which is not in the upper town. You need another connection to reach the centre, so the bus is simpler.
Can I get from Catania to Syracuse by train in autumn 2026?
Until 12 December 2026 engineering works replace trains with buses between Catania Airport and Syracuse. Plan for a bus.