Travel

Flight

CTA International Airport

The Catania International Airport (CTA), also known as the Fontanarossa Airport or Vincenzo Bellini Airport, is about an hour's drive from Ortigia. If you're not planning to travel outside of Ortigia during your trip, we'd recommend pre-booking a private transfer service or taking a taxi, bus, or train between the airport and Ortigia. Some hotels and Airbnb's will help you arrange the transfer in advance – just ask. Bus or train are the cheapest options, but require some extra walking and potentially waiting. If you would like to have the freedom to travel outside of Ortigia to visit other places in Sicily during your stay, you can also rent a car. You just need to be mindful of where you park and enter as Italian town centers usually have a "ZTL" zone which is restricted access and can result in fines if entered during the wrong time of day.

Travel Note

Zip Transfers

Pre-booking a private airport transfer van through a service like Zip Transfers is a relatively hassle-free option to get from Catania Airport to Ortigia and back, though in relation to bus/train it's the priciest. This is a door-to-door service that you can book and pay for ahead of time. We have never used this service ourselves, but it has good reviews online.

Travel Note

Umberto's Taxi Service

You can call or WhatsApp +39 333 489 4078 for Umberto Taxi Siracusa if you would like to pre-arrange a taxi. Usually need to do this a day in advance or the morning of, if it's for an evening pick-up.

Travel Note

Executive Private Tours Sicily

You can call or WhatsApp ‪+39 347 292 0110‬ for this private car service, to arrange transfer from Catania airport to Ortigia and back. This is more of a "luxury" option that was suggested to us by our Sicilian wedding planners.

Travel Note

Baio Andrea's Taxi Service

You can call +39 328 192 9124 to book this private taxi service whenever you need to arrange a ride, for example from Siracusa to Ortigia. He also does airport transfers, you just need to call him and book a day or so in advance.

Rental Car

Sixt Car Rental

If you're renting a car, you should plan to leave it parked for the duration of your stay in Ortigia, since it's mostly tiny pedestrian streets. For paid public parking, take either an immediate right or left after crossing the Ponte Umbertino, which is the main bridge to enter the island. You should avoid driving your rental car into the interior of Ortigia unless your hotel or apartment has its own parking. As far as rental services go, we have always had a great experience with Sixt at Catania airport, which you need to book in advance.

Train

Interbus & Trenitalia

For those of you willing to do some extra walking, the cheapest way to reach Siracuse / Ortigia is by bus or train, though we have heard that public transport in Sicily can be unreliable/delayed at times. The easiest way to plan is on Google Maps, which will recommend both options and give you the scheduled times. There is a bus line called Interbus that goes directly from Catania airport to Siracuse in 70 minutes and seems to depart every half hour or so. You can check timetables and book tickets (€6.40 per person) in advance at www.interbus.it or buy directly from the kiosk at the airport. About 15 minutes' walk from the airport is also the Catania train station, where you can ride with Trenitalia. You can book train tickets at www.trenitalia.com or download their app (the app is what we would recommend). Both the bus and train will drop you at the central station in Siracusa. From there, it's about a half hour walk or a short taxi ride to get to Ortigia.

Travel Note

Uber & iTaxi Apps

The Uber app does work in Sicily, but you will only have the more expensive Uber Black option, and there aren't always tons of drivers available like in other cities. You can also download the iTaxi app to order or pre-book taxis with your phone without having to make a phone call.

House Or Rental

Airbnb

AirBnb is a great place to check for apartments, especially for larger groups. If you want to be close to where all the pre/post-wedding action is happening, look for options on the island of Ortigia, not in Siracusa at large. Of course, if you want to stay in Siracusa or even further out, that's absolutely fine – you can easily drive into Ortigia and park via paid public parking, or book a taxi/Uber. For those who prefer to stay at a hotel, there are many options to choose from – stay tuned as we gather some recommendations.