Driving to Sicily

[MarKel]

We will be travelling to Scalea in April for approximately two weeks. The intention at the moment is to spend about three days in Sicily, preferably in the Taormina area.
I am looking for any information/advice/recommendations that any of you can give us.
What would be the approximate drive time? Should we follow the SS18 along the coast, or cross the mountains and join the motorway? Where should we leave the motorway?
Any information re ferry times would be very welcome. We hope to return on April 6th, i.e. Good Friday. Is this a bank holiday in Italy, and would the ferries be operating if it is?
Also any info re hotels in Taormina would be great, in particular the hotels which provide car parking.

So that's my list of requests for today. Happy New Year to everybody.

Thanks,
Markel

[billy]

Ciao Markel,
Just wondered if you were aware that it is possible to go to Sicily by bus from the 1st July until the 31st August. The bus runs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and leaves Tortora at 0600hrs and reaches Scalea at 0620hrs [Opposite Il Corsaro].It arrives in Messina at 1015hrs and Taormina at 1130hrs. On the return journey it leaves Taormina at 1800hrs and arrives back in Scalea at 2315hrs. So the journey takes roughly 5 hours by bus each way. I know that this doesn't help you if you decide to visit Slcily in April but I know that you often holiday in Scalea in August. I saw the timetable for the bus in a window in Santa Maria and took a photgraph of it. I don't know if the journey has to be booked beforehand or if you can pay the fare on the bus. I also don't know the cost but the bus fares are normally quite reasonable in Italy. This could be a possible project for Lesley who always comes up with the answers and is really most helpful.
The bus has over 20 stops and takes 5 hours so this will give you an idea of the length of time the journey will take by car.
Hope this helps you a wee bit, Billy.

[Margaret]

We did a couple of day trips to the heel and toe from Scalea and had plenty of time so would think it would be perfectly possible to do Sicily and back in a day - went to Taormina by train and it didn't seem that far from Messina. Would love to do the bus trip - shame it's only in August so never likely.

[Italy4me]

We travelled from Sicily to home in about 3 and a half hours, including the ferry crossing which only took about 20 minutes.
The ferries run from Villa San Giovanni to Messina every 15 minutes 24 hours a day and I would imagine on Good Friday they would run as normal.
Sorry I don't have any recommendations for hotels in the Taormina area.
Here's a link to the ferry company - Caronte & Tourist - Prenotazione traghetti per la Sicilia - Orari e tariffe: Stretto di Messina

[uakelly]

We have been to Sicily twice as part of our summer slots. Our journey times were similar to Lesley's. There isn't much of a wait for the ferry but there are more at busy times (but more traffic). The first time we bought our return from someone who came outside the terminal to help and gave us the ticket. (if I remember right it was priced for certain number of days. Second time we bought at the booth. Don't forget to get it stamped at booth on way back!

Journey and directions were fine. Just go off at Villa san Giovanni, I think. Its before Reggio C. Follow the signs. Busy little spot. Just head for motorway out of Messina, get it in the right direction and you'll be fine. They charge on motorway.

It depend how much you want to be in Taormina itself. If you do, you really need car parking. We stayed south of there just ouside of Aciereale in a lovely hotel called the Santa Tecla Palace. We had two families and were very pleased with its value. Far from the maddening crowd! The pool was amazing but it was July not Easter. It is near enough for a trip to Taormina or Etna. We had a fabulous trip up Etna. Went for the full works which was expensive but worth it once!

All in all its easy to do and great the first time you cross the straits of Messina.

Hope its been helpful

Ursula

[MarKel]

Thanks a million for the information.
The bus and train options look interesting, for the next trip perhaps. This time we intend to drive and are really looking forward to it at this stage.
Billy, I haven't forgotten about those directions to Naples Airport you asked me for. I only know my way via the coast road however, but understand there is another route( a safer one? ) which brings you around north of Naples.
My sister and her hubby (from Edinburgh) will be using our apartment in May, returning home via Naples airport on the 20th - just missing yourself and Sheila.
Will em you those directions, and thanks to everyone once again.
Markel

[hallphoto]

A year or so ago we flew to Trapani (west sicily) from stansted with ryanair we hired A car spent a couple of days in sicily and then crossed over to reggio and drove to scalea for a few days we then drove north to pescara and flew back to london, you could fly back from Lamezia makes a good trip

[billy]

Hi Markel,
Your sister and hubby will probably be returning to Edinburgh on the same plane that we are catching from Edinburgh on the 20th May.
Ciao, Billy.

[billy]

Hello,
After all the talk about Sicily I decided to book 4 nights in Palermo travelling by Train from Scalea from 29th May until 2nd June. The journey takes approx. 7 hours with a change of train at Paola on the outward journey and a change at Lamezia on the return journey. As far as I know, part of the train travels over on the ferry so, should be interesting.I managed to pick up MINI fares which helps to keep the cost down. The cost for 2 return fares is approx. 100 euros and, when you think of what the cost of petrol would be for such a long journey, I think the price is pretty good. This will be our first experience of Sicily and we are really looking forward to it. If the trip turns out as well as last year's visit to Naples [also by train] it will be great.
Ciao, Billy.

[Doug]

Hi Markel,

You can get onto the A3 in the Lamezia or Falerna areas as the SS18 is very slow south of there. Interesting if you want to take it on the way back maybe, but the exit to Villa San Giovanni from the A3 is easy. Signing is poor the closer you get to the docks. If you find yourself at the train station, bear right and more signs appear again! Enjoy