Important Travel Info

Travel Note

Location

Syracuse is on the south east coast of Sicily. You may see some places listed as being in Ortigia or Ortiga but they are all the same place! Ortiga is the island the old town is built on.

Travel Note

Visas

Starting in 2027, US citizens will have to get an ETIAS to enter most of Europe. Details are not super clear at the moment but looks like it will be $20. It has also been pushed back several times already so maybe it will be pushed back again! Information can be found below.

Travel Note

Flights

Siracusa is 45 minutes by car from Catania CTA airport or a 3 hour drive from Palermo PMO. Delta has direct flights to Catania in the summer from JFK. United (EWR) and Neos (JFK) offer direct flights to Palermo. All US direct flights leave from New York City. Most international airlines can reach Sicily with a layover. Ryanair, easyJet, ITA Airways, and Wizz Air offer budget flights to Sicily. A more affordable option can be to fly to any major European hub and then book one of these airlines to Catania or Palermo. This is what we did! Just make sure to be aware of these airlines' strict and often pricey baggage policies.

Travel Note

Hotels

We are working on recommendations for hotels for Syracuse by the fall. Italy traditionally doesn't have hotel blocks, so we will make recommendations at different price points. If you are interested in looking in advance we would recommend looking around Ortigia, the walkable small old city. There are also villas for rent outside of Syracuse, but you would need a car to get around.

Travel Note

Rental Cars

If you plan on renting a car, it's technically required to have an International Driving Permit. Any rental insurance policy will be void without one and it will be an issue if you are pulled over by the police for any reason. They cost $20 and can be ordered online through AAA at the link below.

Travel Note

Bus

Buses leave regularly from the Catania Airport and Catania Central Bus Station. The ride is around 70 minutes and costs $8.

Travel Note

Train

There are direct trains to Siracusa from both Catania Airport and Catania Central Station. It takes around 75 minutes and costs about $11. From Palermo, the train is four and half to five hours and requires at least one change.

Travel Note

Questions

If you have any travel questions, please feel free to reach out! Specifically to Mike, who loves travel planning, at halliemikewedding@gmail.com.