Hi folks- I need some help. We are flying into Catania from Malta in May, arriving very late in the evening. Thinking to pick up a car and head out toward Palermo. However we also want to see Taormina. We are going to have to come back to fly out of Catania. What’s the best way to do this so we aren’t stuck with a car that we won’t need? We have 9 full days.

We will be in Sicily the entire month of May, so perhaps we will bump into you. Our first of three trips to Sicily included a flight to Palermo (our first base), rail to Cefalu where we spent the day, and then rail onto Taormina (our second base). We also did a day trip from Taormina to Siracusa/Ortygia via rail. We hired a driver from Taormina to Catania airport. Rental cars are pricey right now, but we plan one for our upcoming trip because there is so much to see and do. You won't want a rental if you spend a few days in Palermo, bus to Monreale, and plan a few days in Taormina or even Ortygia. Depends a lot on how ambitious you want to make this trip.

If you have an interest, here is our trip report on Malta and what to expect there in May: Malta, 7 Days in May

We fly into Palermo for 5 nights in mid April, want to make a day trip to Monreale. Then one night in Agrigento, four in Ortygia and three in Catania, from where we go to Naples and the Amalfi for four nights each. All by bus/train, this will be our third visit to Sicily.

Sounds like a lot of us will be in Sicily in April and May (me too!)

You could take the airport bus from Catania to Palermo, spend a couple of days in Palermo, then rent a car for a couple of days dropping it off in Taormina then taking the bus or hiring a driver to get you back to Catania. You do not need a car in Palermo or in Taormina.

But with nine days, there is a lot to see around Catania and Taormina - a day or two in Catania, perhaps down to Ragusa and that area, some time in Siracusa/Ortigia, Taormina, and exploring Mount Etna. Maybe save Palermo for another trip.