Will be visiting Toarmina, Siracusa and Agrigento in early July. Should we drive to each place? Take a train? Do I need a car in Siracusa and Agrigento? Is it best to rent there or from the USA?
Thanks

I took trains to all those places and no need of car once there. If that is all you're doing go by train - cars are great for say week-long or more travels all around Sicily. For info on trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. Trains are dirt-cheap -NO reason to book in advance as most do not even take reservations. Taormina's train station is well below town - take taxis or the cable way (if working) up from seaside train station.

We used public transport. Buses are sometimes more convenient than trains:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-november.cfm

Public transportation is fine, and is better for Taormina and Siracusa. You are much better off without a car in those two places. You can travel between those two places by bus or by train.

If you take the train, you need to take a bus or a taxi up to and from the town to the Taormina train station.

Agrigento would be more conducive to driving, however, again, a car is not necessary. The train goes to the town.

Is it best to rent there or from the USA?>

Usually here unless renting only a day or two.

If you don't mind driving then having an air conditioned car during summer in Sicily can be a real asset vs carrying your luggage on & off buses and in train stations. Booking lodgings with parking is most helpful.

As others have noted, you do not need a car in Taormina, Siracusa, or Agrigento, and having one could actually create problems in Taormina and Siracusa.

You can get some information about your transportation options through rome2rio.com – just be sure to follow up on anything you learn there, as it is not sensitive to seasonal variation.

I trust you realize that Taormina can be unpleasantly crowded, even outside of high season?

I trust you realize that Taormina can be unpleasantly crowded, even outside of high season?>

Yes even in late October when I was there - I stayed in a hotel on the sea below the town and all was relaxed but the town is special because of its view of Mt Etna, better seen from up above.

I believe the place in which PalenQ stayed is Giardini Naxos, below Taormina. The famous views of Mt. Etna are from Taormina and, further up, Castelmola.

I had a car in Siracusa and Taormina and didn't have any problems. I wouldn't be misled by these anxieties. Most people don't find public transportation an enjoyable way to travel in Sicily unless they have a specific reason they don't want to drive. It's not like northern Italy, where train connections are plentiful. Many people don't enjoy long bus rides.

I had a car in Siracusa and Taormina and didn't have any problems. I wouldn't be misled by these anxieties>

It's not that driving is impossible but that in those places there is no need for a car -get a car if you want but IME train connections are good - especially Taormina to Syracuse- you cannot drive in central zones in cities like Syracuse -private vehicles being banned I believe.

Now if you want to drive around the base of Mt Etna (which trains also circle) that would be nice by car. And to Agrigento to - drive if you want with no fear but expect hassles in cities like Syracuse.

<Most people don't find public transportation an enjoyable way to travel in Sicily unless they have a specific reason they don't want to drive.>

That may be true but public transportation in Sicily is not the horrow that this makes it out to be - I've done two trips all around Sicily and was happy to be on public transit. Drive if you want but do not be deterred from public transportation which is much better than massimop makes it out to be IME.