Travel from Port of Messina to Taormina, Sicily

[DENIE]

Hello all!  My DW and I just booked an Oceania cruise for June 2022 that has a Messina, Sicily port stop for a fairly long day (11 hours).  A couple years ago we had a port stop in Catania, Sicily, and took a ships excursion (Celebrity) to Mt. Etna and Taormina.  We really enjoyed Mt. Etna, but LOVED Taormina.  The 2 hours we had there to roam simply was not enough.  

 

I've looked at a couple tour companies we have used, and excursions from Messina to Taormina are a bit pricey.  Since we have been to Taormina, all we really want is to be dropped off at the entrance to the city, and then be picked up a few hours later.  I've studied the city, and know where the Greek Theatre is, etc., as well as a couple of favorite food places for their wonderful rice balls.  We do not necessarily need a guided tour here, we just want to enjoy a relaxing day, have some wonderful food, shop, and see the theatre.  

 

Does anyone have any experience with reliable transportation from the port of Messina to Taormina and back?  Any help is greatly appreciated! 😃

 

Dale

[MeHeartCruising]

2 hours ago, DENIE said:

Hello all!  My DW and I just booked an Oceania cruise for June 2022 that has a Messina, Sicily port stop for a fairly long day (11 hours).  A couple years ago we had a port stop in Catania, Sicily, and took a ships excursion (Celebrity) to Mt. Etna and Taormina.  We really enjoyed Mt. Etna, but LOVED Taormina.  The 2 hours we had there to roam simply was not enough.  

 

I've looked at a couple tour companies we have used, and excursions from Messina to Taormina are a bit pricey.  Since we have been to Taormina, all we really want is to be dropped off at the entrance to the city, and then be picked up a few hours later.  I've studied the city, and know where the Greek Theatre is, etc., as well as a couple of favorite food places for their wonderful rice balls.  We do not necessarily need a guided tour here, we just want to enjoy a relaxing day, have some wonderful food, shop, and see the theatre.  

 

Does anyone have any experience with reliable transportation from the port of Messina to Taormina and back?  Any help is greatly appreciated! 😃

 

Dale

Does the cruise line not offer such an excursion?  I was on a Royal Caribbean cruise a few years back and they offered “ Taormina on your own” which bussed us the entry gate, a person escorted us  to a location on the Main Street and told us to be back in this same locate at the specified return time.  However, I think it was only 4 hours.  That was enough time for me, but may not be for you. 

[DENIE]

14 hours ago, MeHeartCruising said:

Does the cruise line not offer such an excursion?  I was on a Royal Caribbean cruise a few years back and they offered “ Taormina on your own” which bussed us the entry gate, a person escorted us  to a location on the Main Street and told us to be back in this same locate at the specified return time.  However, I think it was only 4 hours.  That was enough time for me, but may not be for you. 

I will check again.  I think there was one that was 4 hours, but we would hope for more time there, since we have 11 hours in port.  It's worth checking  again, though.

 

Thanks!

[Hlitner]

We found renting a car in Messina provided very reliable transportation :).  It is also possible to take the train although you will need a taxi (or can transfer over to the cable car) to get up to Taormina.   Another advantage to having a car was that we could easily drive up to Castelmola which is a relatively quiet village with some spectacular views.   There is also a regional bus line that can get you between Messina and Taormina (and another bus can get you between Taormina and Castelmola) for those that prefer to use public buses but I believe it is about a 1:45 min trip (one way) because of the numerous stops.  

 

Hank

[Hlitner]

Just now, Hlitner said:

We found renting a car in Messina provided very reliable transportation :).  It is also possible to take the train although you will need a taxi (or can transfer over to the cable car) to get up to Taormina.   Another advantage to having a car was that we could easily drive up to Castelmola which is a relatively quiet village with some spectacular views.   There is also a regional bus line that can get you between Messina and Taormina (and another bus can get you between Taormina and Castelmola) for those that prefer to use public buses but I believe it is about a 1:45 min trip (one way) because of the numerous stops.  The bus leaves from near the train station and is within walking distance of the port.  The bus fare used to be about $5 (one way).

 

Hank

 

[DENIE]

On 3/8/2021 at 6:23 PM, MeHeartCruising said:

Does the cruise line not offer such an excursion?  I was on a Royal Caribbean cruise a few years back and they offered “ Taormina on your own” which bussed us the entry gate, a person escorted us  to a location on the Main Street and told us to be back in this same locate at the specified return time.  However, I think it was only 4 hours.  That was enough time for me, but may not be for you. 

Sigh.....I did go back and check the tours.  There is one "on your own" tour. The tour is about 5 hours, but that includes an hour or so each way, leaving between 2-3 hours to explore.  Just hoping for a bit more time there, considering we have 11 hours in port (Messina).  It is just the perfect place to relax and have a leisurely lunch, and have a glass or two of amazing Italian wine.  And, we saw a lot of shops that we wanted to browse, but also needed to "squeeze in" the Greek Theatre.  We will keep checking.  It's a first world problem LOL. 🙂

[cruisemom42]

11 hours ago, DENIE said:

Sigh.....I did go back and check the tours.  There is one "on your own" tour. The tour is about 5 hours, but that includes an hour or so each way, leaving between 2-3 hours to explore.  Just hoping for a bit more time there, considering we have 11 hours in port (Messina).  It is just the perfect place to relax and have a leisurely lunch, and have a glass or two of amazing Italian wine.  And, we saw a lot of shops that we wanted to browse, but also needed to "squeeze in" the Greek Theatre.  We will keep checking.  It's a first world problem LOL. 🙂

 

The problem is just the distance involved. You really only have a few options and it depends how much you want to do things on your own and how much you want to spend.

 

• Ship tours give limited time but are of course very reliable.
• You can take a taxi from Messina but it's a long distance (about 45 minutes) and a taxi each way will cost you around $100 give or take.
• You can take the train from Messina which is inexpensive and takes about the same amount of time BUT you have to look at the schedule and also the train leaves you at the foot of Taormina so you still need a taxi or bus ride to the top (and back).

The smaller O ships sometimes stop at the closer port Giardini Naxos, which makes it easier getting to Taormina on your own. 

 

[euro cruiser]

The trip by train is so easy, the station in Messina is an easy walk from the cruise port (about a half mile) and the train ride itself is less than an hour.  Right now there is one train each hour so you have some flexibility, which may grow as people start moving around again.

 

Given how inexpensive the train ride is (just under 5 euro per person each way) I'd cough up the money for a taxi at the other end to get from the Taormina station up into town.  Yes, it will be expensive compared to the train and seem like too much for such a short ride (about three miles) but time is your most limiting factor and the taxi makes the most of it.

[DENIE]

Thanks Crisemom42 an euro cruiser!

 

I think we may give consideration to  the train (and cab at Taormina).  We are also going to check with our TA to see if their agency has anyone that they have used.  But, this seems like it may be our best option.   Thanks again!  Always appreciate the thoughtful advice on this site! 🙂

[iancal]

Our vote would be a car rental.  Just make sure you have an International Drivers Lic.  Very easy drive.   They may only have standards though.  This is what we typically get.

 

Second choice would be the train.

[marazul]

Another vote for the car rental.  There is a very large parking deck at the road entrance to Taormina.  You take the elevator up to the top level which is street level by the town gate (Porta Catania). When you are at the top level you will be right by the Hotel Excelsior and the gate.  It is called Parcheggio Porta Catania.  Set your GPS for that.  You may come to another parking deck ahead of that one, but it is not convenient. 

Here is a Google maps picture of the top of the deck.  (Rotate it if it doesn't show the hotel.)

https://www.google.com/maps/@37.851012,15.2801352,3a,75y,135.67h,82.07t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sUVCwBSdAHGPL1IGZ4dBEyA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DUVCwBSdAHGPL1IGZ4dBEyA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D261.58344%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

[DENIE]

Thank yo

11 hours ago, marazul said:

Another vote for the car rental.  There is a very large parking deck at the road entrance to Taormina.  You take the elevator up to the top level which is street level by the town gate (Porta Catania). When you are at the top level you will be right by the Hotel Excelsior and the gate.  It is called Parcheggio Porta Catania.  Set your GPS for that.  You may come to another parking deck ahead of that one, but it is not convenient. 

Here is a Google maps picture of the top of the deck.  (Rotate it if it doesn't show the hotel.)

https://www.google.com/maps/@37.851012,15.2801352,3a,75y,135.67h,82.07t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sUVCwBSdAHGPL1IGZ4dBEyA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DUVCwBSdAHGPL1IGZ4dBEyA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D261.58344%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Thank you iancal and marazul!

 

We are relatively "newbie" European travelers (just our 2019 Mediterranean cruise), and have never rented a vehicle in Europe, or any other country we have visited.  Not sure if I trust myself, or maybe it is time to try it.  I recognize the image you sent, as that is where our Celebrity tour bus dropped us off.  I remember having to take the elevator up.  

 

I will definitely research....

[Host Jazzbeau]

19 hours ago, DENIE said:

Thank yo

Thank you iancal and marazul!

 

We are relatively "newbie" European travelers (just our 2019 Mediterranean cruise), and have never rented a vehicle in Europe, or any other country we have visited.  Not sure if I trust myself, or maybe it is time to try it.  I recognize the image you sent, as that is where our Celebrity tour bus dropped us off.  I remember having to take the elevator up.  

 

I will definitely research....

There are times when the easiest way to get from point A to point B is by car and the connection is a dull motorway – that's when I would consider renting a car.  On a mountainous island like Sicily, the driver would have agita and be unable to more than peek at the terrific view – so not for me...  But if you do decide to rent a car, get the smallest one you can find with automatic.

[DENIE]

2 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

There are times when the easiest way to get from point A to point B is by car and the connection is a dull motorway – that's when I would consider renting a car.  On a mountainous island like Sicily, the driver would have agita and be unable to more than peek at the terrific view – so not for me...  But if you do decide to rent a car, get the smallest one you can find with automatic.

Yeah, did some more "thinking".  I remember the ride on the bus from our 2019 Celebrity cruise, though we left Taormina and went the other way to Catania to the ship.  I remember the hills, etc.  And it was so beautiful I would want to "sneek a peak". Our TA advised she also has some travel specialists in most every port.  One way or the other, I think (hope) we will end up with what we want. 🙂

[Host Jazzbeau]

4 minutes ago, DENIE said:

Yeah, did some more "thinking".  I remember the ride on the bus from our 2019 Celebrity cruise, though we left Taormina and went the other way to Catania to the ship.  I remember the hills, etc.  And it was so beautiful I would want to "sneek a peak". Our TA advised she also has some travel specialists in most every port.  One way or the other, I think (hope) we will end up with what we want. 🙂

rome2rio shows a taxi from Messina to Taormina would run $80-100 and gives three taxi company links; they should the same price for return but don't give any links (so I would verify either a taxi reservation in Taormina or make a rt reservation in Messina).  A fancier approach that wouldn't cost much more is mydaytrip.com, which charges 99 Euro but allows upgrades to nicer cars and also you can add stops at one or more other interesting places on the way.

[DENIE]

32 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

rome2rio shows a taxi from Messina to Taormina would run $80-100 and gives three taxi company links; they should the same price for return but don't give any links (so I would verify either a taxi reservation in Taormina or make a rt reservation in Messina).  A fancier approach that wouldn't cost much more is mydaytrip.com, which charges 99 Euro but allows upgrades to nicer cars and also you can add stops at one or more other interesting places on the way.

Thanks Host Jazzbeau!!  One of those might be the ticket!  I will save that info into our files that we are starting!  Thanks again! 🙂

[iancal]

There have been many times in Europe when I have been very thankful that I rented a smaller car with standard transmission.

[gfkcruiser]

The ride on the cantilevered road as you approach Taormina is scary.  

[marazul]

There are motorways all the way from Messina to Taormina.

[Mary loves to travel]

On 4/17/2021 at 8:30 PM, DENIE said:

Sigh.....I did go back and check the tours.  There is one "on your own" tour. The tour is about 5 hours, but that includes an hour or so each way, leaving between 2-3 hours to explore.  Just hoping for a bit more time there, considering we have 11 hours in port (Messina).  It is just the perfect place to relax and have a leisurely lunch, and have a glass or two of amazing Italian wine.  And, we saw a lot of shops that we wanted to browse, but also needed to "squeeze in" the Greek Theatre.  We will keep checking.  It's a first world problem LOL. 🙂

this has been a very helpful thread.    We'll be there in Sept next year; after closely looking at the tours offered, there is one that is longer -  called "Late Riser Taormina", on Princess.    We'll be in port from Noon to 8 pm; this tour is 6 hours, departing at 1:30 and returning at 7:30.   That should give us 4 hours in Taormina.   The tour includes r/t bus & cable car, then guided visits to the Greek theatre and the town center.   It lists 2 1/2 hours "on your own".   This should work well for us & will be slightly less expensive that hiring a taxi round trip.     With your 11 hours in port though, even this 6 hour excursion won't be quite enough to give you what you hope for.    

 

Best,

Mary

[DENIE]

2 hours ago, Mary loves to travel said:

this has been a very helpful thread.    We'll be there in Sept next year; after closely looking at the tours offered, there is one that is longer -  called "Late Riser Taormina", on Princess.    We'll be in port from Noon to 8 pm; this tour is 6 hours, departing at 1:30 and returning at 7:30.   That should give us 4 hours in Taormina.   The tour includes r/t bus & cable car, then guided visits to the Greek theatre and the town center.   It lists 2 1/2 hours "on your own".   This should work well for us & will be slightly less expensive that hiring a taxi round trip.     With your 11 hours in port though, even this 6 hour excursion won't be quite enough to give you what you hope for.    

 

Best,

Mary

Hi Mary,

 

Yes, that sounds like a good tour!  There is another village just uphill from Taormina, I believe called Castelmora (sp?).  I think we are going to just work with our TA and her destination specialists to figure out something. Given our long stay, I think we should be able to see both cities.  Others have suggested renting a car, but after careful thought, we just aren't comfortable driving in a foreign country where we don't have a knowledge of the roads and highways. 

 

Enjoy your cruise! 🙂

[MeHeartCruising]

11 hours ago, Mary loves to travel said:

this has been a very helpful thread.    We'll be there in Sept next year; after closely looking at the tours offered, there is one that is longer -  called "Late Riser Taormina", on Princess.    We'll be in port from Noon to 8 pm; this tour is 6 hours, departing at 1:30 and returning at 7:30.   That should give us 4 hours in Taormina.   The tour includes r/t bus & cable car, then guided visits to the Greek theatre and the town center.   It lists 2 1/2 hours "on your own".   This should work well for us & will be slightly less expensive that hiring a taxi round trip.     With your 11 hours in port though, even this 6 hour excursion won't be quite enough to give you what you hope for.    

 

Best,

Mary

 

It's interesting that your tour includes a cable car apparently.  I wasn't even aware that there was a cable car in Taormina until I looked it up after reading this post.  The cable car is not a usual factor in most of the tours.  Usually a tour bus will drive up the hill and park in a bus parking garage just outside the "gate" and the tour participants walk from the parking garage into town.  It's just a short walk.  

 

From your description, it sounds like you might leave the bus at the base of the hill and ride the cable car up.  The cable car connects Taormina with its lower beach area of Mazzaro.  The top end of the cable car is at the other end of town from where the bus garage is.  There is a "gate" at that end of the town to enter as well, so not an issue.  You would be entering town closer to the Greek theatre so would probably see that first then on into the town center.

 

Riding the cable car should be pleasant, I would think.  It might take a little while for a bus full of passengers to ride the cars up to the top and reassemble into your tour group.  Due to Covid, it looks like they are controlling the # of passengers in the cars to be more socially distanced.  Perhaps that will end by September.  

 

I suppose another consideration is that the bus drive and parking is done as we normally see to the upper parking garage and they include a ticket for the cable car in case anyone wishes to go down and back to the beach area during their free time.  But, I've never seen any other tours that do this either.

 

Please report back on this part of your tour if you would.  I'd like to hear how it went.

[Mary loves to travel]

@MeHeartCruising I wondered about that, too.   But, I think it's as you said, because the description says one of the first sights we'll see is the Amphitheatre.     The views are supposed to be great from the cable car, so I hope it's true.     We also thought we might be able to come down a little early for a short walk along the beach, then meet the bus.   We shall see 🙂

 

Here's the tour:  https://www.princess.com/ports-excursions/sicily-messina-italy-excursions/late-riser-taormina

[Mary loves to travel]

9 hours ago, DENIE said:

Hi Mary,

 

Yes, that sounds like a good tour!  There is another village just uphill from Taormina, I believe called Castelmora (sp?).  I think we are going to just work with our TA and her destination specialists to figure out something. Given our long stay, I think we should be able to see both cities.  Others have suggested renting a car, but after careful thought, we just aren't comfortable driving in a foreign country where we don't have a knowledge of the roads and highways. 

 

Enjoy your cruise! 🙂

We're with you on driving -- we find we can both relax and enjoy the scenario if we're not doing double duty as driver and navigator.

 

if time allows, we might try to grab a taxi in Taormina to take us up to Castlemora for the even better views.    As you say, a few hours isn't really enough, but will be the best we can do.   Tough life - first world problems.

 

Thanks!

[bennybear]

Another suggestion is to book a private tour,  we visited the small town where some  of the Godfather was filmed,  followed by a visit to both Taormina  and  the small town above for the views.   We did it in a small van with a small group from our roll call.   Unfortunately I don’t  recall the name of the company. 

Edited July 15, 2021 by bennybear