Rome to Sicily: looking for the easiest way
Jun 13th, 2017, 08:22 AM
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Rome to Sicily: looking for the easiest way
Hi
Yesterday I reserved air for next April to Rome and back to the US. We will have to take two flights to Rome, then make our way to Sicily.
I'm very interested in how others did this: got from Rome to Sicily. Our entire trip is for only two weeks, just 13 nights on the ground.
I would hate not to have a day or two in Rome.
There seems to be the possibility of getting a third flight after landing at FCO and heading straight to Palermo. We would be tired, but it might not be so awful because we have nice biz seats from the US to Rome and my limited experience in the seats I reserved is that I was able to sleep well enough on the overnight flight.
Coming home in cattle class with only a slight chance of upgrading for cash to "comfort" economy.
I reserved so far in advance in order to get two highly reduced biz class awards.
I guess that's enough for now, except maybe that I'll turn 68 on this trip and my health is only fair. DH is younger and healthier.
Yesterday I reserved air for next April to Rome and back to the US. We will have to take two flights to Rome, then make our way to Sicily.
I'm very interested in how others did this: got from Rome to Sicily. Our entire trip is for only two weeks, just 13 nights on the ground.
I would hate not to have a day or two in Rome.
There seems to be the possibility of getting a third flight after landing at FCO and heading straight to Palermo. We would be tired, but it might not be so awful because we have nice biz seats from the US to Rome and my limited experience in the seats I reserved is that I was able to sleep well enough on the overnight flight.
Coming home in cattle class with only a slight chance of upgrading for cash to "comfort" economy.
I reserved so far in advance in order to get two highly reduced biz class awards.
I guess that's enough for now, except maybe that I'll turn 68 on this trip and my health is only fair. DH is younger and healthier.
Jun 13th, 2017, 08:44 AM
#2
You can fly on a budget airline to Palermo; check www.skyscanner.com and there are other carriers doing it besides Ryanair, too.
I suggest this as opposed to rail since you are
already at the airport
you want to maximize your time on the ground
I suggest this as opposed to rail since you are
already at the airport
you want to maximize your time on the ground
Jun 13th, 2017, 12:34 PM
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If you want to go to Rome and your health is only fair, why not spend some nights in Rome to recover from the trip? That would go double if you would need to buy a separate set of tickets to make a same-day flight to Sicily. Always a chance of missing the connection and losing the tickets.
Sicily has 2 airports and you might want to fly into one rather than the other depending on your ultimate wish list for Sicily.
Sicily has 2 airports and you might want to fly into one rather than the other depending on your ultimate wish list for Sicily.
Jun 13th, 2017, 02:13 PM
#6
Tuscan - we went to Sicily for 10 nights last September and we flew into and out of Catania, limiting ourselves to the east of the island. Even so, there was lots we missed.
you really have a choice, to spread yourselves thinly and fly into Palermo and out of Catania [or vice versa] or choose the east or west of the island and explore in more depth.
you really have a choice, to spread yourselves thinly and fly into Palermo and out of Catania [or vice versa] or choose the east or west of the island and explore in more depth.
Jun 13th, 2017, 04:04 PM
#7
SFO-JFK-FCO-PMO, Delta/Alitalia
on the way there.Tired but it was worth.
CTA-FCO on blueexpress then five days in Rome. Then FCO-JFK-SFO, Delta.
I too couldn't envision not including Rome but regret it--wish I had devoted the full trip to Sicily.
on the way there.Tired but it was worth.
CTA-FCO on blueexpress then five days in Rome. Then FCO-JFK-SFO, Delta.
I too couldn't envision not including Rome but regret it--wish I had devoted the full trip to Sicily.
Jun 13th, 2017, 04:09 PM
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Personally, I'd push on to Sicily since you'll be tired anyways, and you'll need to be in Rome at the end of your trip because you fly from there. JMO.
Sicily is delightful, but IMO, you'll need to be very selective with your timeframe. As annhig noted, you would be wise to limit your choice of destinations within Sicily. I would encourage you to start thinking through your priorities sooner rather than later. FWIW, I found the Rough Guide particularly useful for Sicily.
Hope that helps!
Sicily is delightful, but IMO, you'll need to be very selective with your timeframe. As annhig noted, you would be wise to limit your choice of destinations within Sicily. I would encourage you to start thinking through your priorities sooner rather than later. FWIW, I found the Rough Guide particularly useful for Sicily.
Hope that helps!
Jun 13th, 2017, 08:22 PM
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You can book trains between Catania, Palermo or Messina and Naples or Rome at www.trenitalia.com
It's ticketless, you just quote the booking reference on board the train.
There are two direct daytime InterCity trains per day, from just €19 - an amazing bargain, city centre to city centre. Take your own picnic and bottle of wine and have a chill-out day.
There's also a sleeper train, which saves time and a hotel bill.
All these trains get ferried across the Straits of Messina on a ferry, one of the few places anywhere in the world where trains go onto ferries, a remarkable experience.
You can stay on the train or go up on deck for some sea air and great views of the Straits.
Not just transportation, but something to write home about in itself!
It's ticketless, you just quote the booking reference on board the train.
There are two direct daytime InterCity trains per day, from just €19 - an amazing bargain, city centre to city centre. Take your own picnic and bottle of wine and have a chill-out day.
There's also a sleeper train, which saves time and a hotel bill.
All these trains get ferried across the Straits of Messina on a ferry, one of the few places anywhere in the world where trains go onto ferries, a remarkable experience.
You can stay on the train or go up on deck for some sea air and great views of the Straits.
Not just transportation, but something to write home about in itself!
Jun 13th, 2017, 08:24 PM
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The sleeper trains will have 1 2 & 3 bed sleepers and 'comfort' 4-berth couchettes, like this: https://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains....ernight_trains
The IC trains will be like this: https://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains....terCity_trains
The IC trains will be like this: https://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains....terCity_trains
Jun 14th, 2017, 12:16 AM
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Oh, sorry! I didn't realize that you'd never traveled to another region of Italy or been outside of Rome before. (Your screen name fooled me!)
If you've only been a "slow traveler" in Rome who spent weeks there at a time, not planning much but doing that "wander" thing, you might not realize that if you go to another region of Italy for 13 nights, you still won't be able to see everything there is to see in that region. You'll need to be selective, as others have advised. Many people find it best to limit themselves to just one geographic portion of the region. However, if you fly into one of Sicily's main airports and out of the other, as has been suggested, you can see on a map they are on the opposite sides of Sicily, so some people do opt to spread out in Sicily. But do take the advice to set some priorities for your 2 weeks there.
Have a great adventure! Like Tuscany or Umbria or the Veneto or Puglia, Sicily is a BIG region of Italy with lots to see. So can't hurt I guess to tell people they should think through their priorities for spending 2 weeks there, and starting 8 months ahead of time makes sense if you have no idea what you like to do and see.
If you've only been a "slow traveler" in Rome who spent weeks there at a time, not planning much but doing that "wander" thing, you might not realize that if you go to another region of Italy for 13 nights, you still won't be able to see everything there is to see in that region. You'll need to be selective, as others have advised. Many people find it best to limit themselves to just one geographic portion of the region. However, if you fly into one of Sicily's main airports and out of the other, as has been suggested, you can see on a map they are on the opposite sides of Sicily, so some people do opt to spread out in Sicily. But do take the advice to set some priorities for your 2 weeks there.
Have a great adventure! Like Tuscany or Umbria or the Veneto or Puglia, Sicily is a BIG region of Italy with lots to see. So can't hurt I guess to tell people they should think through their priorities for spending 2 weeks there, and starting 8 months ahead of time makes sense if you have no idea what you like to do and see.
Jun 14th, 2017, 03:28 AM
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Hi everyone
I would like to share my unpleasant experience renting a car in Sicily.
I booked a car from Orbitz and they offered me around USD 110 for four days, included insurance.
At the office of Budget-Avis I was assured by the lady on the counter several times that EUR 235 is a deposit in case of theft and damage, which is refundable upon return of the car.
After that I discovered that the whole amount has been deducted from my card.
There was no adequate response to my claim and they don’t pick up the phone.
I would never trust Orbitz and Budget-Avis with my credit card any more. They just stole money from my card.
In most European countries such company will be under fraudulent investigation and its license revoked.
It is obvious that this model is influenced by the Sicilian gangster’s style of business, but in a pitiful manner.
Do you know how to get my money back in such case?
So if you are planning your trip to Sicily and don’t want to be cheated you may want to avoid Orbitz or Budget-Avis.
Thanks
I would like to share my unpleasant experience renting a car in Sicily.
I booked a car from Orbitz and they offered me around USD 110 for four days, included insurance.
At the office of Budget-Avis I was assured by the lady on the counter several times that EUR 235 is a deposit in case of theft and damage, which is refundable upon return of the car.
After that I discovered that the whole amount has been deducted from my card.
There was no adequate response to my claim and they don’t pick up the phone.
I would never trust Orbitz and Budget-Avis with my credit card any more. They just stole money from my card.
In most European countries such company will be under fraudulent investigation and its license revoked.
It is obvious that this model is influenced by the Sicilian gangster’s style of business, but in a pitiful manner.
Do you know how to get my money back in such case?
So if you are planning your trip to Sicily and don’t want to be cheated you may want to avoid Orbitz or Budget-Avis.
Thanks
Jun 14th, 2017, 02:06 PM
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massimo, not that it needs to be said, but I don't understand how you came to the idea that I'd never traveled out of Rome or around Italy.
I worked for a company based outside of Florence; thus my screen name.
We have traveled all over Italy, but never to Sicily.
I mentioned hating to miss a little time in Rome, because we love Rome very much.
I worked for a company based outside of Florence; thus my screen name.
We have traveled all over Italy, but never to Sicily.
I mentioned hating to miss a little time in Rome, because we love Rome very much.
Jun 14th, 2017, 02:08 PM
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Additionally, I have a very good idea of what I like to see and do. If you look at my profile, you'll see that I've been here a long time and frequently answer questions about Italy.
Jan 31st, 2018, 07:07 PM
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This summer, I will be arriving in Catania via the overnight Ferry that arrives at 9am. We will be needing to rent a car to drive to the Taormina/Messina Area.
Has anyone had any experience with renting a car from the ferry port? I'm sure its totally easy, just looking for others input. TIA
Has anyone had any experience with renting a car from the ferry port? I'm sure its totally easy, just looking for others input. TIA
Jan 31st, 2018, 07:51 PM
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dawn2duskb, This thread of mine is rather old and might not attract the responses you need. I suggest you post again, using a subject line that might attract attention. Something like "Car rentals at Catania ferry port" might be more on the money. Good luck. Also suggest posting this on Tripadvisor forums where some Sicily experts answer quite specific questions.
If anyone cares, are trip for April is all set. I'm purchasing air FCO to Palermo, and Catania to FCO tomorrow. I was hoping to wait out the Alitalia tangle, because their schedules are the best, but it doesn't appear to be resolving itself. It appears that I'll be using Ryanair and/or Vueling.
If anyone cares, are trip for April is all set. I'm purchasing air FCO to Palermo, and Catania to FCO tomorrow. I was hoping to wait out the Alitalia tangle, because their schedules are the best, but it doesn't appear to be resolving itself. It appears that I'll be using Ryanair and/or Vueling.
