Transportation in Catania

Catania's public transport is bus-first, the city does have a metro (Metropolitana di Catania), but it's a single short line that's more useful for locals commuting than for visitors sightseeing. AMT operates the bus network, and while coverage is decent along the main corridors like Via Etnea, service can be irregular, on Sundays and evenings. Fares are cheap by any European standard, practically a rounding error against what you'd spend on a taxi for the same trip. Don't count on the metro to get you where you need to go. Check AMT bus routes for your specific destination and allow extra time. From Fontanarossa Airport, the Alibus shuttle is the move, it runs into the city center and costs a fraction of a cab. It's clearly signed at the arrivals terminal, no app needed, and tickets can typically be bought on board or from the airport newsstand. The alternative is a taxi from the rank outside arrivals, which works fine but charges significantly more for what's a short ride. Avoid anyone approaching you inside the terminal offering private transfers at vague prices. The official taxi stand and the Alibus are right outside, and both are straightforward. One thing first-timers get wrong: assuming ride-hailing apps work as reliably here as in northern Europe. Coverage can be thin, at off-peak hours or from less central locations. For flexibility, taxis hailed at designated ranks or called by phone tend to be more dependable than app-based options. If you're heading to towns along the coast or up toward Etna, Interbus and other regional coach services run from the city and are far cheaper than hiring a car, though for current routes and times, check locally, as schedules shift seasonally.