If you want to explore Sicily, especially the countryside, a car makes getting around much easier. However, you should remain cautious behind the wheel, as the rules are not always very clear or respected, signage is sometimes sparse and the condition of the roads is unpredictable.
Public transport
To reach certain destinations, by train or by bus, getting around by public transport can prove complicated (trains are slow), but it remains possible in a large number of cases.
Connections are good between the main cities and the coastal tourist resorts. Except on a few lines (Palermo-Messina-Catania), buses are generally preferable to trains, the latter often being very slow.
Among the regional bus companies: AST, SAIS Autolinee and SAIS Trasporti.
The train is perfectly suitable between the main cities of the island, but on secondary lines the service remains slow and limited, although inexpensive.
The regional rail network is operated by Trenitalia, with the exception of the railway around Etna, operated by Circumetnea.
In the summer season, the Barocco Line allows you to discover the Val di Noto with stops at Syracuse, Fontane Bianche, Avola, Noto, Pozzallo, Scicli, Modica, Ragusa Ibla, Ragusa, Donnafugata.
Access to the small islands
To reach the islands off the coast of Sicily (Aeolian Islands, Egadi Islands, Ustica), many connections are provided by ferries and hydrofoils, whose frequency varies depending on the season.
To reach Pantelleria and the Pelagie Islands, flying is faster and cheaper.
