Graziella5b

We plan to visit SIcily, we would like to take a bus or train between Rome and Palermo, stay in Palermo a few days and then rent a car to visit the island. Any suggestions>?

Michael

Check a map. Palermo is not the city the closest to the mainland. If you take the train or bus, another city would be better for your car rental. On the other hand, you could train to Naples and take the ferry to Palermo, or you could fly from Rome to Palermo. In any case, you do not want to drive in the city itself.

As for driving around Sicily, you might be interested in my trip report. Just click on my name to find it.

valtor

Last year, when we visited Sicily, arrived in Palermo by flight from Rome (one hour). It saved us time; for us it was the best option.

bobthenavigator

Fly to Palermo---or Catania, and get your car there.

Graziella5b

Thank you all. Yes, I should have looked at the map, bad thing to rely on memory. We have been in Sicily years and years ago, at the time we drove from Rome and took the ferry.
This time I though of getting there by plane or whatever and then driving avoiding the unpleasant ferry and the hectic driving upon arriving.
Michael I am reading your great trip report. Thank you again

Ann1

You say "unpleasant ferry" ... have you taken the overnight ferry from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Palermo? Or from Naples to Palermo or Catania? They are really nice. You can have a cabin and walk around. Some have entertainment. You get on in the evening and wake up in your port. It's much better than a train or bus. You save a night in a hotel. On one, they had a piano player. We sat around all evening singing Italian songs and snacking. We love them.

Ann1

PS...You need to arrange for a taxi to pick you up at the port since most travelers on the ferry have their cars and trucks with them.

ggreen

IMO, flying is definitely the best option!

We flew from Rome to Catania, then later took the overnight ferry from Catania to Naples. The flight was cheap (booked in advance on Easy Jet) and fast. With the ferry, while I relished saving on a hotel room in my student days, for me now it's just not worth the poorer quality sleep I get (even in a cabin) combined with the very early a.m. docking and subsequent navigation to wherever we are staying next.

GAC

I recommend the following, in order of preference:

1. Fly from Rome to Palermo (Alitalia, Easy Jet, Windjet or Blu Express); or

2. Grandi Navi Veloci/SNAV overnight car ferry from Civitavecchia to Palermo; or

3. SNAV or Tirrenia overnight car ferry from Naples to Palermo

www.snav.it
www.gnv.it
www.tirrenia.it (currently in bankruptcy)
www.alitalia.it
www.easyjet.com
www.volawindjet.it
www.blu-express.com

You could also take the train or the overnight bus from Rome to Palermo, but both of these are less attractive than the options noted above (except the fares, which can be as low as 19 Euros on the train and 20 Euros on the bus!!!!)

www.ferroviedellostato.it
www.onbus.it

NOTE: Trenitalia has not yet uploaded schedules between Rome and Sicily after December 11, 2010. These schedules are expected to be uploaded within the next two weeks.

Ann1

ggreen...it's all personal preference of what Graziella5b likes. While you don't sleep as well on boats...I sleep much better. The rocking puts me to sleep. Waking up early and going out on the deck to see the sun coming up over Sicily is priceless. Yes, flying is easy, but the experience on the ferry is wonderful.

Graziella5b....if you decided to go to Catania, TTTLines goes from Naples to Catania and the view of Etna at the break of dawn is incredible.

Graziella5b

Again, thank you all, so much valuable information I feel like being there already. ;-)
Ann, the ferry I was refering to was between Reggio de Calabria and Messina , we were driving and of course we took the ferry with car (whole family,4 kids...)it was not such a great experience. Your experience is totally different and I might take the ferry after all.

Ann1

Actually, even though they call it a ferry, it's a ship....kind of like a small cruise ship. Dining room, cabins, bar, open social spaces, etc.

You didn't mention what time of year you're going. In the spring/summer/early fall there is a huge catamaran that goes. I think it's SNAV but if you check the sites CAC gave it will say. Also remember TTT Lines http://www.tttlines.it/