Taormina transport

[Baz-t]

We will be visiting Taormina in 4 weeks time during our Riviera cruise. The ship is anchored at Gardio Naxos according to the Oceania schedule and our only plan is to visit the town of Taormina. Apparently there is no Oceania shuttle but they are operating a coach transfer for the ride into Taormina and back for £69 ($110) per person!!!

I would appreciate any advice as to other options for getting into Taormina. I assume there will be taxis on hand when we get off the tender. Anything else?

[Noxequifans]

We have used local bus and taxi ...not a problem. Also found the ship's excursion fine bit more expensive. A few alternatives there.

[StanandJim]

If the Oceania shuttle is round trip to/from Taormina, then I don't think that would use it.

What you want to do is to take the Cable Car (Cost is €3 each way) either up or down, and that runs between the beach at Mazzaro & Taormina.

Most people, who don't have an issue with heights, will take the bus in one direction or the other, but not both ways.

[cbb]

We shared a cab with 3 others from the ship and it was great.

 

The driver shouted "Michael Schumacher" and pounded his chest as we went up the road rather quickly! (before Schumacher's horrible accident)

 

Drive down was much more sedate.

[kazu]

We did a cab here and thought it was very reasonable.

 

Taormina & Lucca are both gorgeous and we enjoyed our time there very much. have fun :)

[beardedshark]

We missed all the taxis, so started walking towards the town, thinking we could flag down a taxi. A local pulled up and offered us a lift into town (for a fee). No problems but it is further than you think

[SellaVee]

On last year's Riviera cruise we took a short, slightly uphill walk into town and took the bus to Taormina. If I remember correctly it cost €2 each way. You have to buy a ticket at the kiosk/tabac across the road from the bus stop.

 

I think I found the details on Tripadvisor. Really enjoyed Taormina. I'm afraid I would struggle to pay £69 for a transfer knowing how cheap it is to get there.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Sella

[durante]

If you are not there on a Sunday, the local bus (there are 2 lines which operate this route) is the cheapest way to get from Giardini Naxos up to Taormina. It goes there directly and terminates at the bus stop in Taormina, then just 5 mins walk up hill to the main street. The cable car is not anywhere near where the ship tenders as its right against the cliff, and would be a long walk to get to.

[Sky shield]

I was there in August on the Riviera. At the pier in Naxos, there was a line for taxis but not too many taxis. We ended up waiting eagerly for 5 minutes. There was some bargaining when a taxi came, and it took us and 4 more passengers up to Taormina for Eur 40. A long ride of about 7 miles. We asked the driver to come back and pick us up in 3 hours. Same price going back. The town itself is very pleasant and well worth the trip.