Taormina Airport Transfers

When you get off the plane after a long flight, the ideal thing to do is to have a fast and safe means of transport to the city centre or the surrounding area. In this regard, you will have no problem getting from Palermo airport to Taormina. At this air terminal, you will find several options for getting to your next destination: shared service, private service, bus, train and taxi.

You will now learn in detail about each of the services mentioned. You will then be able to evaluate their positive and negative aspects and finally choose the transfer that best suits your needs (price, speed, comfort). In this way, your only concern will be to discover the best things to do in Taormina during your stay.

The shared transfer offers a special route on board a bus or minibus, which will take you from Palermo airport to Taormina. It is a route with some detours, according to the stops of the other passengers. However, you will enjoy a comfortable service at a reasonable price.

For this transfer between Palermo airport and Taormina, you should book the service at least 24 hours in advance. So, when you get off the plane and go to the arrival hall of the airport, you will find a driver with a sign with your name on it. You will have to approach him, identify yourself and he will immediately accompany you to the bus.

With this shared transfer service you will obtain several benefits. Some of them are:

• Reasonable price: because this means of transfer offers a price below that offered by private services and taxis, thus having the opportunity to save a significant amount of money.
• Comfort: you will be able to relax during the trip to Taormina, as these buses have cushioned and reclining seats. You will also have Wi-Fi service and power sockets to charge your devices.
• Availability: the shared transfer is usually available 24 hours a day, so you don't have to worry about a delayed flight arrival.

This is an alternative that has become very popular with tourists and is ideal for those times when you are travelling in large groups in order to save money and enjoy the best things to do in Taormina by day or night. This is because the minibuses usually have a maximum capacity of 20 people and the buses have a maximum capacity of 50 people.

Interesting details

• Duration of the trip: approximately 4 hours (time may vary according to traffic conditions).
• Price: the average price of this transfer could be from 200 €.
• Advantages of using this method: if your flight is delayed you will not miss the transfer service, as the buses are available 24 hours a day and you will be quickly assigned another one.
• How to book this transport: you will have to connect with one of the transfer companies through their website. There, you will provide some information regarding the number of passengers, the day and time of your arrival. You will also have to confirm the method of payment.
• Recommended if... you want to transfer between Palermo airport and Taormina at a reasonable price, but without leaving comfort aside.

Private transfers between Palermo airport and Taormina are a good option if you want an exclusive service. You will travel comfortably in a car, without having to share it with strangers.

Once you get off the plane and have your bags in your hands, you should go to the arrival lounge at the airport. In that area, the driver will be waiting for you. You will be able to identify him quickly, as he will be holding a sign with your name on it. You just need to identify yourself and then he will escort you to the car (for 1 to 3 people) or van (for 4 to 7 people).

The driver will drop you off directly at the door of your hotel. You will then be able to start enjoying the itinerary you have planned for your stay in the medieval city, whether it is taking one of the best tours of Taormin, or discovering its gastronomy through the best cooking classes in the city, among others.

Interesting details

• Duration of the trip: 3 hours 30 minutes (time may vary according to traffic conditions).
• Price: the average price of this transfer is from €620 per car.
• Advantages of using this method: not only will you travel without having to share the car with unknown passengers, but you will also leave from the door of the airport to the door of your hotel or indicated destination in Taormina.
• How to book this transport: the booking of this service is carried out through the official website of the selected transport company. You will have to enter the portal, register in the indicated option (private transfer) and indicate the destination, the arrival time of the flight, the date, among other data. In addition, you will generally be asked to pay electronically at least 50% of the total cost.
• Recommended if... you wish to experience an exclusive and comfortable transfer between Palermo airport and Taormina, enjoying a completely personalised service.

Private transfer vs shared transfer

Both private and shared transfers are good alternatives to move safely between Palermo airport and Taormina. However, there are some differences between the two services, which you should carefully evaluate before choosing between them.

Waiting time

The private service establishes a waiting time according to the arrival time of your flight, so if you are late for more than that time (approximately 45 minutes), you will miss the transfer. The opposite is the case with the shared service, where you are immediately assigned a new seat on another bus.

Exclusivity

The private transfer offers you an exclusive service, in which you can travel only with a small group of family or friends (7 people maximum). On the other hand, when using the shared mode, you will have to travel with strangers on a bus (20 passengers or more).

Immediacy

With the private service, once you meet the driver in the arrival lounge at the airport, you will leave immediately for your destination in the car or van. Meanwhile, with the shared transfer you will have to wait for all the passengers to arrive, according to the time set for the journey.

The train service is the ideal option if you're not in a hurry and want a cheap transfer. After getting your luggage, you will have to walk approximately four minutes to the Punta Raisi train station at Palermo airport. There, you will board the train for the Taormina Giardini terminal, which is a nine-minute drive from Taormina.

The companies responsible for operating the trains on this route (Palermo - Taormina) are Trenitalia and Trenitalia Intercity. There are a couple of trains every hour from 05:15 to 00:25 every day. Therefore, you will have no problem getting there, whether you arrive at dawn or at midnight.

You should also bear in mind that this train transfer includes a stopover of approximately 35 minutes, as there is no direct route to Taormina. However, although the journey is longer compared to a private or shared transfer, it is the best option if you are travelling on a budget.

Useful details

• Journeytime: 6 hours 25 minutes (approx.). However, the transfer may take slightly longer than the stipulated time on weekends.
• Price: The average price of the train ticket is from €23 per person.
• Advantages of using this method: You will be able to travel between Palermo airport and Taormina at a low cost, saving a considerable amount of money. All this, without sacrificing comfort.
• How to book this transport: to access the train service you can book your ticket online or at the ticket offices available at the airport. In fact, you can pay electronically and show your ticket on the screen of your mobile phone.
• Recommended if... if you are not in a hurry, have a limited budget and therefore want a cheap transfer.

Maybe you want to spend 1 day in Taormina or more, exploring its monuments and natural beauty, but you have a limited budget to transfer from Palermo airport. Using the public bus is the cheapest alternative of all. You will be able to travel like a local, while enjoying the scenery.

You should go directly to the ground floor of the airport, specifically through the arrivals hall. Just to the right, you will see the Sais Autolinee bus stop. You will have to wait, as the bus usually runs every hour. In fact, it is best to check the timetables beforehand.

This transfer option does not require a reservation. All you have to do is board the bus (Palermo Via Tommaso Fazello) and then pay for your ticket on board. You will travel one route to Catania station (over two hours), with a minimum stopover of 20 minutes. You will then take the Interbus route Catania Via Archimede, to continue your journey to Taormina - Via Luigi Pirandello (over one hour).

Interesting details

• Journey time: the transfer between Palermo airport and Taormina takes approximately 6 hours and 22 minutes, including stopover time.
• Price: the average price of the transfer via the Sais Autolinee route is from €11 per person. Meanwhile, the Interbus stopover to Taormina usually costs an average of €5 per passenger.
• Advantages of using this method: you will not have to spend a lot of money getting from the airport to your destination in Taormina, compared to the other services available.
• How to book this transport: this service does not require any kind of reservation, so you can pay the entrance fee when you board the bus. Alternatively, if you wish, you can cancel the cost electronically and show the ticket in digital format from the screen of your mobile phone.
• Recommended if... you want to save money and feel like a local as you travel between the airport and Taormina.

Taxi service is considered the most expensive option for getting between Palermo airport and Taormina. However, it is the most comfortable and quickest way to get to your hotel or destination in Sicily in record time.

You can access this service directly at Palermo Airport without any inconvenience. Simply, after passing through customs control and having your luggage in hand, you will have to go to the taxi rank located in front of the terminal. There, you will see the taxis.

Basically, there are three ways to use this taxi service. These are:

• By reservation: you will have several options of taxi companies to choose from. Whatever your decision, you will have to make a reservation prior to the journey and the driver will be waiting for you at the taxi rank with a sign with your name on it.
• Unreserved: even if you have not made a reservation, when you approach the taxi rank at the airport, you will find many cars immediately available.
• Shared taxi: You will see shared taxis in the arrivals area, available for up to four passengers. This service is provided by a couple of local co-operatives: Autoradio Taxi Palermo and Trinacria Radio Taxi.

Whichever taxi option you select, you will enjoy a fast and reliable ride. You' ll relax in the car along the way, while you recharge your batteries. And, depending on your arrival time in the city, you can join one of the best day trips from Taormina, walk around the historic centre or discover some of the 10 things to do in Taormina at night, among other activities.

Interesting details

• Travel time: the transfer between Palermo airport and Taormina takes approximately 3 hours 13 minutes by taxi.
• Price: the average price of this transport is from €325 per person.
• Advantages of using this method: you will be transported without waiting time and in comfort from the airport gate to your immediate destination in Taormina.
• How to book this transfer: to book you must access the official website of the transfer company, request the service and fill in a form, indicating the time of your flight and the day of your arrival. You also have the option of a shared service, for which you just have to go to the airport taxi rank and connect directly with the available cars.
• Recommended if... you want an immediate door-to-door transfer.

If you like to travel at your own pace, then a rental car is a different and attractive transfer option. Not only will you drive directly between Palermo airport and Taormina, but if you have the time, you can stop along the way to explore the places that catch your eye.

To make use of this service, you will walk with your luggage in the direction of the bus or train station. In that area, just outside the airport, you will quickly see several car rental agencies. Such is the case of Centauro, Italy Car Rent Sicily by Car Autonoleggio Aeroporto di Palermo, among others.

Whatever the place of your choice, you will have the opportunity to rent a car that suits your needs (with space for up to seven people, baby seat, snow chains, etc.). This way, you will travel in comfort and safety.

Interesting details

• Journeytime: the average transfer time is 3 hours 15 minutes. However, it all depends on traffic and weather conditions (snowfall).
• Price: the average price of the car rental service starts from 120€ per 24 hours.
• Advantages of using this method: you can travel as you wish, i.e. directly to your destination in Taormina without any stops or, on the contrary, stop wherever you wish along the way to explore.
• How to book this transport: to book this service you can access the official website of the respective rental company, fill in the form and pay the indicated cost electronically. You also have the option of renting the car directly from the airport, as there are many agencies in the surrounding area.
• Recommended if... you are an adventurous person, who wants to explore the road at your own pace.