Getting to Syracusa from Catania

[tennisbets]

Will be visiting Catania in October on the Silhouette and have already done Taormina/Castlemola (loved it). Syracusa and Ortygia Island sound like interesting destinations and according to Frommers there are trains and buses that go there from Catania. Anyone have experience with this and prefer one over the other? Is this easily doable if we are in port from 8 to 5? Any other recommendations for this port? Trying to save $$ and not book a private tour as our cruise is so port intensive, and there are many ports that are new to us. We are there on a Sat. if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance for your input.

[Can'tstopcruising]

Would you recommend spending the day in Catania over visiting Taormina?

[LovesSicily]

No personal experience with bus or train from Catania to Siracusa but here are the sites for the bus, www.interbus.it and train, www.trenitalia.com where you should be able to check timetables. Sometimes the problem is not getting the train or bus in the morning, the problem occurs with the actual travel time and does the travel time cut into your sightseeing to the point where it just doesn't make the trip worthwhile.

 

Unless you stay in Catania for the day any trip outside of the city would require the use of public transportation, private tour company or a car rental. For your time frame a private tour would maximize the time you have and allow you to customize an itinerary.