Catania Airport Transfer Guide (2026) - All Options & Tips
Discover smooth airport transfer options to Catania, ensuring a stress-free start to your visit. Explore Catania hotels and beaches with ease after a smooth.
Airport transfers
Trains, buses, and shuttles from the airport, compared in one place.
Helpful Tips
Take the Alibus shuttle directly from Fontanarossa Airport to Catania Centrale station, it's far cheaper than a taxi and runs frequently throughout the day.
Buy your AMT bus tickets at a tabaccheria (tobacco shop) before boarding, as you typically can't purchase them from the driver.
Catania's Metropolitana is a single-line metro useful for north-south trips through the city. But the bus network covers far more ground for most sightseeing.
For day trips to Taormina or Syracuse, intercity buses from Catania are generally more practical than trains, with Interbus and SAIS Autolinee serving major Sicilian routes.
Common Scams to Avoid
Unlicensed taxi drivers, known locally as 'abusivi,' are a well-documented problem at Catania-Fontanarossa Airport. They typically approach arriving passengers inside the terminal or just outside, offering rides at inflated rates with no meter and no official credentials. Always use the official taxi rank outside the arrivals hall, where licensed white taxis queue, and confirm the driver will use the meter or apply the published fixed-rate tariff before getting in.
Licensed taxi drivers at the airport sometimes claim the meter is broken or refuse to use it, then quote an inflated fare for the ride into Catania city center. There are established fixed-rate tariffs for common airport routes, so ask the driver to confirm the regulated fare or start the meter before departing. This is a broader issue across Sicilian airports but is frequently reported at Catania due to high tourist volume.
Car rental damage disputes are commonly reported at Catania airport, where some budget rental counters may pressure travelers into expensive supplemental insurance or attempt to charge for pre-existing scratches and dents upon return. Photograph the entire vehicle thoroughly at pickup, ensure all existing damage is noted on the rental agreement, and keep copies of everything. This is a general concern at Italian airport rental desks rather than unique to Catania. But the high volume of tourist rentals in Sicily makes it common here.