Catania Airport to Taormina: Taxi, Shuttle, Private Transfer and Driving

Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) is Sicily’s main international hub, handling most budget airline routes to the island. Taormina is 48km northeast via the A18/E45 motorway. The transfer is one of the most-booked airport connections in Sicily - the route is well-served and reliable.

There are four practical options: taxi, the Interbus direct shuttle, a pre-booked private transfer (NCC), and self-drive. Here’s what each involves.

Taxi from Catania Airport

Licensed white taxis rank outside the Arrivals hall, to the left as you exit. This is the most straightforward option for travellers arriving with luggage who want to go directly to their accommodation without waiting for other passengers.

Cost: The fare is metered with official supplements. A standard transfer to Taormina in a four-seat taxi (up to 4 passengers, 2 large bags) runs approximately €60–75 as of 2026. Supplements apply for each large bag (approximately €1 each), for night journeys (11pm–7am), for Sundays and public holidays. The driver will start the meter at the airport rank - there is no fixed-rate zone for this route under Catania’s current regulations, so the total depends on traffic.

Time: 45–55 minutes in normal traffic. Allow 70 minutes if arriving at peak summer times or during Sicilian school run hours.

Important: Only use taxis from the official rank or with a clearly displayed licence plate and metered fare. Unofficial taxi touts operate inside the arrivals hall - ignore them.

For groups: A standard taxi carries 4 passengers. For 5 or more, book a people carrier (van taxi) in advance through the airport taxi desk or by calling the Radiotaxi Catania (+39 095 33 33). This accommodates up to 8 passengers.

Interbus Shuttle (Direct Coach)

Interbus operates a scheduled direct coach service between Catania Fontanarossa airport and Taormina’s bus terminal. This is the best-value option for solo travellers or couples without enormous amounts of luggage.

Fare: Approximately €8 per person one-way as of 2026. Return tickets (valid for the return journey on any date) cost approximately €14 as of 2026.

Schedule: Services run multiple times daily. The first bus from the airport to Taormina typically departs at 09:00; the last at approximately 22:00. Check the Interbus timetable at interbus.it for the current schedule - times vary seasonally and are updated each spring for summer service.

Journey time: Approximately 1 hour 10–20 minutes. The bus takes the A18 motorway and makes a brief stop at Giardini-Naxos (the resort town at the foot of Taormina’s hill) before the Taormina terminal.

Taormina terminal arrival: The bus stops at Via Luigi Pirandello 9, near the cable car (funivia) station at the base of the hill. From here, the cable car takes you up to the old town in 6–8 minutes (approximately €3 as of 2026). Alternatively, local taxis rank at the cable car base - expect €5–8 for a short transfer to a hotel in the lower old town.

Tickets: Buy at the Interbus desk in the Arrivals hall or from the driver (cash). Booking online via interbus.it is possible and avoids queues.

Private Transfer (Pre-Booked NCC)

NCC (Noleggio con Conducente) licensed private car services are a practical middle ground between a taxi and a pre-booked tour transfer. The key advantage is a fixed price agreed before travel and a driver holding a sign at arrivals - no waiting at the taxi rank.

Cost: Approximately €65–90 for a saloon car (up to 4 passengers) depending on operator and whether you include luggage supplements as of 2026. A minivan for up to 8 passengers typically runs €90–120.

How to book: Several platforms aggregate Sicilian NCC operators - Welcome Pickups, Hoppa, and local Sicilian services such as Sicilian Transfers or Taormina Transfers. Book at least 48 hours in advance; same-day booking is often possible but not guaranteed.

What’s included: Meet-and-greet at arrivals, assistance with luggage to the vehicle, A/C, and delivery to the hotel address. The driver monitors your flight arrival time, so delays don’t require rebooking.

Tip: For hotels in Taormina’s old town, clarify with the operator where the drop-off point is. Many old-town hotels are on pedestrianised streets accessible only by small vehicle or on foot from a nearby car park - a good private transfer operator will know the access routes.

Driving from Catania Airport

If you’re renting a car for your Sicily trip, picking it up at the airport and driving directly to Taormina is efficient.

The route: Exit the airport, follow signs for A18/Messina. The motorway runs northeast along the Ionian coast - it’s well-signposted and direct. The Taormina exit is at Taormina-Giardini. Follow signs for Taormina centro; the main car park is at Lumbi, from which a shuttle minibus runs to the old town (approximately €0.90 as of 2026).

Distance and time: 48km, approximately 45 minutes in normal traffic.

Motorway tolls: The A18 is a toll motorway. Catania to Taormina-Giardini costs approximately €2.50 as of 2026. Have cash or a credit card for the toll booth.

Parking in Taormina: The old town is entirely pedestrianised. Parking is at the Lumbi car park (the main covered garage, approximately €1.50/hour as of 2026) or at Porta Catania (southern entrance, similar pricing). Some hotels have limited parking arrangements - confirm when booking. Long-stay parking for a week-long stay at Lumbi costs approximately €70–80 as of 2026.

Car rental at the airport: All major operators (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Maggiore, Locauto) have desks in the Arrivals hall or just outside. Book in advance for July and August - availability at the desk is unreliable in peak season, and pre-booked rates are lower.

Arriving at Night

All four options work for night arrivals, with some caveats. The taxi rank operates 24 hours. Interbus runs late services - check the timetable for exact last-departure times, as these change seasonally; the last bus is typically around 22:00 and some late flights land after this. For late-night arrivals (after 10pm), a private transfer or taxi is the most reliable choice.

The A18 motorway is well-lit and safe to drive at night - no particular concerns with the self-drive option.