How to Get from Catania Airport to the City Center?
Catania Airport
Catania-Fontanarossa Airport is the main airport in Sicily, followed by the airport in Palermo. In terms of passenger traffic, it is the fifth busiest airport in Italy. Its official name is Vincenzo Bellini Airport, after the famous composer of the opera "Norma", who was born in Catania. In 2024, the airport celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Catania-Fontanarossa Airport has three terminals, but only two of them are in use.
Distance from Catania Airport to the city center
The distance between Catania Airport and the city center is only 6 kilometers. It can be covered by car in 15-20 minutes.
Transport from Catania Airport to the city center
Getting from the airport to the city center of Catania can be done by bus, train, taxi, or private transfer. If you plan to visit more tourist attractions in Sicily, you can also rent a car.
Bus
The AMTS company (Azienda Metropolitana Trasporti e Sosta Catania), through the Alibus line, connects the airport with the city center of Catania, reaching both the Central Station (Stazione Centrale) and Via Etnea (the main shopping street). The journey takes about 15 minutes to the train station and around 30 minutes to Via Etnea.
The ticket price is €4, and the ticket is valid on all AMT urban lines for 90 minutes.
Alibus tickets can be purchased directly on the bus (cash or card), through the AMTS Catania app (Google Play or App Store), or from authorized resellers.
The bus stop is located right in front of the airport, just outside the terminal. Buses run approximately every 25 minutes (though they don’t always arrive exactly on schedule).
Train
There is no direct train connection from Catania Airport to the city center. You must first take a bus (the 524S shuttle) to Fontanarossa Station (€1.4, running every 10 minutes) and then take a train (€2.2) to the Central Station (Stazione Centrale). The Central Station is about a 20-minute walk from the city center (Piazza del Duomo).
Integrated tickets (bus + train) cost €3.6 and can be purchased at the station (for the return trip) or on Trenitalia.com by selecting Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa Bus. Attention! If you select only Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa, the fare will only include the train ticket, without the shuttle bus transfer between the airport and Fontanarossa Station (or vice versa).
Private transfer
The private transfer option from Catania Airport to the city center is the most comfortable but also the most expensive. It is convenient when traveling in a group.
Taxi
The taxi stand is in front of the Arrivals terminal at Catania Airport. Taxis in Catania are white and have an identification number.
Taxi fares, set by the Municipality of Catania, are:
- Starting fare: €3
- Price per kilometer: €1
- Minimum fare: €5
- Night and holiday surcharge: €4 (from 10:00 PM to 07:00 AM)
- Night surcharge: €3
- Airport surcharge: €6
- Luggage surcharge: €1 per bag
If you don’t find a taxi in front of the airport, you can call Radiotaxi Catania (+39 095 330966 or +39 095 8833). The fare for a taxi from the airport to the city center (up to 4 people) starts from €20.
Another option is to take Uber.
Car rental at Catania Airport
If you don't plan to stay only in Catania and want to explore more of Sicily, you can consider renting a car at the airport. The article on car rentals in Sicily will also be useful for you.
Rent a car from Catania Airport
