Catania Airport Bus

IATA Code: CTA
ICAO Code: LICC
Number of passengers: ~ 9 million

Catania-Fontanarossa Airport, also known as Vincenzo Bellini Airport, is an international airport in Sicily located about 4.3 km southwest of Catania.

It is the busiest airport in Sicily, and the sixth busiest in Italy. More than 9 million passengers pass through it every year.
The record year was 2019 when the airport served more than 10 million passengers.

There are two terminals – Terminal A and Terminal C (which is currently closed due to COVID-19).

If you’re traveling to Catania, the following guide will present you with all the necessary information about Catania-Fontarossa Airport. 

How to get from Catania Airport to Catania

Airport shuttle bus

There is an organized shuttle service with AMT Alibus from Catania International Airport to the city center and the Train Station. The bus goes every 25 minutes, from 4.40 AM to midnight.

The ticket costs €4 and is valid for 90 minutes, but you have to validate it in the electronic ticket machine on the bus.  You can purchase your ticket at the airport or onboard.

  • Journey time: 20 minutes to the train station (Stazione Centrale)
  • Bus departure and arrival point is at a bus station just outside the terminal building, some 50 meters from the entrance to the airport.  
  • On the way back to the airport, the bus has the same route (departing from the Train station and the main square).
  • Check out the timetable.

Transfer

To reach your accommodation in Catania or the surrounding area, or to go to some other city, the most hassle-free way is to book a door-to-door transfer.  

To explore transfers to the most popular destinations, visit Catania Airport taxi & transfer page.

You will find a list of the most popular transfer routes from Catania Airport below where you can pre-book your private transfer and pay on arrival.

Catania Airport to Taormina from €15Catania Airport to Syracuse from €16Catania Airport to Catania from €6
Catania Airport to Palermo from €39Catania Airport to Cefalu from €33Catania Airport to Milazzo from €29
  • NOTE: The prices displayed in the table above are per person (Minibus for up to 8 Passengers) and NOT per vehicle.

Taxi services

Taxis are available from Catania airport and you will find them in front of the terminal building, Arrivals area. However, to avoid being scammed, use only the authorized taxi service called Radio Taxi Catania.

You can even call them or book the taxi online, using the mobile app. The price starts from 18 euros, depending on the location.  

Renting a car at Catania Airport

there are several car rental companies located at and around the airport, mostly local companies and three larger companies – Sixt, Budget and Hertz.

There is also Avis rental company, located a bit away from the terminal building (1.4 km), next to the Catania International Airport Hotel. The easiest way to rent a car is to compare the prices on the following link, save time and book online.  

Renting a bus

If you arrive at the airport with a group, you might consider renting a bus prior to your arrival. It is a good option if you want to explore other parts of Sicily as well.

Note: the bus has to be booked in advance, and the bus rental companies will advise you on the meeting point/pick-up point.

Catania Airport Airlines

Currently, there are 38 airlines operating to and from this airport. The most popular route is from Catania Airport to Fiumicino Airport in Rome.
Also popular are routes to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, London-Gatwick, Milan-Malpensa, etc.

Here’s a list of some of the most popular airlines that serve this airport:

  • jetAir
  • Jet2.com
  • Ryanair
  • Wollotea
  • Wizzair

Catania-Fontarossa Airport facilities

There’s a range of facilities and services available at this airport.
Below we assembled a list of all of them.

  • ATMs
  • Recharging stations
  • Bag-wrapping service
  • Car parks
  • Duty-free shop
  • Lost & found service
  • Restaurants

Acommodation near Catania-Fontanarossa Airport

If you’re looking for available accommodation units and hotels near Catania Airport, make sure to check out our map below:

Catania-Fontanarossa Airport FAQs

I arrive late at the airport. Will it be a problem for me to get to the city?

No, the last shuttle bus is at midnight, and if you somehow miss it, you still have the taxi or you can pre-order a transfer. They are available 24/7.

I have an early morning departure from the airport, are there any airport hotels I can stay at?

Yes, there is the Catania International Airport Hotel located near the airport, at 1.5 km distance, which means you can reach the terminal building on foot (15 minutes walk). However, you can ask at the reception to arrange a transfer to the airport if you have a lot of luggage.

I would like to visit Catania in between flights. Is that possible?

Yes, if you take the airport shuttle bus, you will be in downtown Catania (Duomo – main square) in about 20 minutes. Keep in mind the time you need to come back to the airport and enjoy your city visit!

I am continuing my journey outside Catania. Are there any direct lines to other destinations?

Yes, there are several bus lines directly from the airport, offering connections with all parts of Sicily, including smaller towns and villages and bigger cities, e.g. Noto, Ispica, Canicattì, Caltanissetta, Agrigento, Taormina, Ragusa, Messina, Palermo etc. However, these buses go only a few times a day, so you might have to wait a bit longer, depending on your flight arrival.

  84Comments

  1. Lynne Ward   •  

    Are there buses from Catania Airport to Syracuse and Catania on Sundays in October 2018?

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Lynne,

      Buses from Catania Aiport to Catania run regularly every day (including Sundays) and the line Catania Airport-Syracuse also runs on Sundays (every 4 hours). This is currently valid, but it is unlikely that these lines will get cancelled in October, so You don’t have to worry.

      Best regards,
      Melani, GBB Team

  2. Yvonne   •  

    Hello how do I get from Catania Airport to Palermo Central via Coach?
    Do you have a link to buy tickets in advance

    • Yvonne   •  

      My apologies I meant on a Sunday at 8:00pm

  3. Mariza   •  

    We would like to book a taxi from Catania airport to Ortygia . Is Radio Taxi Catania our best and cheapest option?
    Thank you

  4. ludmila mikhailenko   •  

    Hello ,
    We need to go to Airport from Piazza Trento ( if possible) in 10.5.2018 and to be inAirport not late then 7.00 am.Is there any bus to?

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Ludmila,

      If you check the timetable in the article (for the bus line 457) you can see that buses run from 04:40 every half hour and it stops on Piazza Trento as well.

      Best regards!
      Melani,
      GBB Team

  5. ludmila mikhailenko   •  

    May be you can help me with another puzzle?
    To get by bus from Milazzo to Taormina in 4.5 after 15.00? I have been trying to find it , but Interbus has a last bus at 15.00.
    Thank you.
    Ludmila.

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Ludmila,

      The best option would be taking regional train from Milazzo to Taormina-Giardini station (with a layover in Messina).

      Best regards!
      Melani,
      GBB Team

  6. George Farrugia   •  

    Dear Melani,

    Can you please suggest the nearest bus stop to B & B l-Elefante in Via Etnea 228. We will be arriving in Catania at 22.30 and plan to take Bus number 457.
    Thank you.
    George

    • Melani   •  

      Dear George,

      The bus number 457 passes through Via Etnea as You may see in the timetable linked in the article. There’s a bus stop near Your accommodation (around 100m from B&B) so I think this would be the best option for You.

      Best regards,
      Melani, GBB Team

  7. Stella   •  

    HELLO
    I plan to take AMT Alibus to Hotel la Ville(Via Claudio Monteverdi, 15, 95131 Catania). Which stop should I get off? Thank you.

    Stella

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Stella,

      What I suggest is that You contact the hotel directly (via e-mail or phone) and ask them for an advice as they will for sure know more about where to get off the bus.

      Best regards!
      Melani, GBB Team

  8. Eileen   •  

    Hi,
    Does the AMT bus run on Easter Sunday as well?
    Thanks,

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Eileen,

      The buses run in accordance with flight schedules, so I assume there will also be buses on Easter as well if You have a scheduled flight.

      Best regards!
      Melani, GBB Team

  9. Julius   •  

    Dear Melani,
    Can you suggest the nearest bus stop to Holland International Rooms, Via Vittorio Emanuele II 8, please? We will be arriving in Catania at 21.50 and plan to take bus 457.
    Grazie,
    Julius

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Julius,

      I suggest You exit at the bus stop on Piazza dei Martiri della Liberta’ (1 minute walk from Your accommodation).

      Best regards!
      Melani, GBB Team

  10. Bilyana   •  

    Hallo there,

    I’d like to ask two questions, can we reach Mascali with a bus in the evening, because our plane lands around 9.30 PM? And if not and we stay in Catania and use the #457 bus from the Airport, do we get it again in front of the airport,because in the late night time-schedule I see this sign X?

    Thanks a lot in advance.

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Bilyana,

      You can reach Mascali from Catania Centrale (main train station), however, the last train departs around 8:30pm, so You’ll have to go next day. Regarding the bus 457 from the airport, the X sign does not refer to the airport, but the ferry port. It means it doesn’t enter ferry port in these hours marked with x, but it stops on the road nearby.

      Best regards!
      Melani, GBB Team

  11. Katy C   •  

    Hi Melani,

    Can you tell me the best way to travel from the centre of Catania to Milazzo (we plan to get a boat to one of the islands from there).

    Thanks so much!

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Katy,

      The best way to reach Milazzo is by taking a regional train from Catania Centrale (train station) to Milazzo. You can check all departures on Trenitalia.com.

      Best regards!
      Melani, GBB Team

  12. Bilyana   •  

    Dear Melani,

    Thank you very much for the information.
    Could you please tell me how can I reach the Catania center, using the public transport after we arrive at around 9:30PM?
    We have to get to this adress: 5 Via Salvatore di Giacomo secondo piano Catania
    And I’m not sure how exactly can we do that – google maps didn’t show any available public transportation?

    Best regards,
    Bilyana 🙂

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Bilyana,

      As you may have seen in the link for the timetable, there’s a pdf of bus line map. If you click it You can see the bus route and where is the best stop to get off the bus. Here’s the link to the map of the route, just select the airport line from the menu –> https://www.amt.ct.it/mappa-delle-linee#

      Best regards!
      Melani, GBB Team

  13. Bilyana   •  

    Dear Melani,

    As I wasn’t too clear in my previous question I just want to add – I want to know after we take the #457 bus – on which bus stop should we get off the bus, so that we could go to the address “5 Via Salvatore di Giacomo secondo piano Catania”
    Which one is the nearest bus stop, so that we could go on foot to the address?

    Best regards,
    Bilyana

  14. Nicolas   •  

    Dear Melani,

    What would be the best way to go from the CTA airport to Nissoria? I will be arriving at 15 pm.
    Thanks

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Nicolas,

      Unfortunately, there is no direct bus from Catania Airport to Nissoria but you can take a bus to Sicilia Outlet Village (bus line Catania Airport – Palermo) and from there take a taxi. Sicilia Outlet Village is approximately 26 km away from Nissoria. Here’s the timetable for the bus line –> http://www.saisautolinee.it/servizi.htm

      Best regards
      Melani, GBB Team

  15. James   •  

    Hello Melani and Bilyana,

    Can you advise on public transport options from cantania airport to Taormina. Will be arriving on Sunday the 2nd of September 2018 around lunch time. Appreciate any help or info you can offer, thank you.

    • Melani   •  

      Dear James,

      There’s a direct bus from Catania Airport to Taormina and it is operated by Etna Trasporti. On the following link You can check the timetable for the 2nd of September. –> https://goo.gl/7gRHBF

      Best regards,
      Melani, GBB Team

  16. Sven   •  

    Hello Melani,

    is there a connection between Catania Airport and Cefalu ?

    Thanks
    Sven

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Sven,

      Unfortunately, there is no direct connection between Catania Airport and Cefalu. What I suggest is that You go to the Central Train Station by bus 457 and then take a train to Cefalu. You can find more details about train departures on Trenitalia.com

      Best regards,
      Melani, GBB Team

  17. Florence   •  

    Dear Melanie,

    I am arriving Catania Airport on Wednesday at 9.30pm, Please let me know how to take the public transport from the airport to Spiral Stone, 60 Via Fortino Vecchio, 95122 Catania, Italy.

    Thanks

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Florence,

      We only have insight in airport bus line 457 which unfortunately doesn’t pass through this street You named. You have a map of the bus route on the link in the article so You can check where is the best stop to get off the bus and maybe walk by foot to the place You need to go to.

      Best regards,
      Melani, GBB Team

  18. Mikaela Lagerwall   •  

    Dear Melani,
    I need to go to Noto from Catania airport – by bus seems to be the best way?
    The last bus on 20th June departs at 20:15, how do I get the ticket? Buy before arrival in Catania? A return ticket would be useful, will be going back to Catania a few days later. Is this where the time table is to be found or are there any alternatives?

    http://www.aziendasicilianatrasporti.it:8080/default.aspx?id=1

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Mikaela,

      It seems to me that there’s just one departure daily according to this timetable and the bus departs at 08:45. Try using http://www.interbus.it, they have more daily departures from Catania Airport to Noto.

      Best regards!
      Melani, GBB Team

  19. Suzan   •  

    Dear Melani,

    I am staying in Siracusa and I would like to go to the shopping mall (Porte di Catania) close to the airport of Catania.
    How do I get there?
    And can you get to the airport from there?

    Thanks in advance!

    Regards Suzan

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Suzan,

      There’s a direct bus line from Siracusa Bus Station to Catania Airport which departs every hour from Siracusa. First departure is at 06:30.

      Best regards!
      Melani, GBB Team

  20. Helena   •  

    Dear Melani,
    We arrive 18.40 on wednsday 10-10 what is the quickest way to go to Syracuse? Or is there no bus available than? I looked at Interbuss but can’t find one. And whats is an alternative?.

    Kind regards
    Helena

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Helena,

      You can take regional train from Stazione Centrale (main train station in Catania) to Syracuse. To reach the train station you need to take shuttle bus mentioned in the blog post.

      Best regards!
      Melani, GBB Team

      • pc   •  

        Hi Melani,

        Where do i have to get off the shuttle to reach the Stazione Centrale? Is it easy to buy the tickets for the shuttle?

        • Melani   •  

          Dear Paulina,

          The bus ticket can be bought on board. The last bus stop of the shuttle stops at the Main Train Station (or Stazione Centrale in Italian).

          Best regards,
          Melani GBB Team

  21. Sarah P   •  

    Hello, I am landing at Catania on Monday around 2100 hrs and need to catch a bus to the Art &Jazz Hotel (Via Alfonzetti, 84 Catania). Will this be possible at this time please? Any other information very much appreciated.

    • Maja   •  

      Dear Sarah,

      yes it will be possible. Shuttle bus from the airport departs every 20 minutes till midnight. Your closest bus stop is called Liberta, in Via Liberta.
      Safe flight!

      Best regards,
      Maja, GBB Team

  22. Joseph   •  

    Can I buy tickets for four days for the bus please, when I arrive at the airport fontanarossa?

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Joseph,

      There’s a possibility of buying a Catania Pass, it gives you access to museums and unlimited use of public transport for 1, 3 or 5 days. You can see more info on their website.

      Best regards!
      Melani, GBB Team

  23. Christine Formosa   •  

    Is there a bus from Catania Fontanarossa Airport to Catania International Airport Hotel?

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Christine,

      There is a shuttle bus from Catania Airport to Catania International Airport Hotel and viceversa. It runs from 05:00 to 01:00 every 30 minutes from Departure Terminal.

      Best regards!
      Melani, GBB Team

  24. Marites Perez   •  

    Hello,

    I’m trying to book 2 bus tickets online, from Catania to Taormina. I would like to catch the bus from the station near Via Archimede. However, the Interbus website says departure is from the Airport (even if I chose Catania as the departure); does the same bus stop at the Via Archimede station?

    Your help will be very much appreciated.

    Thank you.

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Marites,

      It would be best to check the details directly with the customer support of Interbus since we don’t have that kind of information.

      Best regards
      Melani, GBB Team

  25. Joanna   •  

    Hello. Can you tell me if bus from airport to town runs on Easter Monday please?

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Joanna,

      Buses run in accordance with flights, so I think they should run as well on Easter Monday.

      Best regards,
      Melani GBB Team

  26. Jennifer   •  

    What is the cheapest way to get from Catania airport to the city center? I am seeing conflicting information on ine. We are traveling the beginning of April.

    AMT Alibus? Local Bus 457?

    Also what is cheapest way to get from Palermo city center to airport?

    Thank you!

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Jennifer,

      You can use either AMT Alibus or bus line 457 to get from Catania Airport to Catania. You can check how to get from Palermo city centre to Palermo Airport on the following link https://getbybus.com/en/blog/airport-bus-palermo/

      Best regards
      Melani GBB Team

  27. Artemis   •  

    Hello! I ll arrive on thuseday 26/2 in the airport, very early in the morning ( around 7). Which is the best and cheaper way to go to Syracusse? Is there a bus in the airport or I have to go to the central bus station? Also, do you think I have to buy a ticket online? Thanks a lot

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Artemis,

      There are departures from Catania Airport to Syracuse every day (operated by AST company). The earliest departure is at 06:50 and then the next one at 07:40. Tickets can bought on board.

      Best regards
      Melani GBB Team

  28. Sabina   •  

    Hello,I am arriving on Catania airport tommorow, with my grendmother on a wheelchair. Ca we take the bus to the city center ?

    Thanks for your answer and best regards.
    Sabina

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Sabina,

      Unfortunately, we are not familiar with this information. I suggest to contact directly the Alibus company which operates the shuttle bus.

      Best regards
      Melani GBB Team

  29. Ping   •  

    Hello,

    We are arriving in Catania airport around 12 pm. Is it true that the Ali bus will wait for the last flight before heading to the city?

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Ping,

      The last bus departs at 12pm. I’m not really sure whether the bus will wait longer. I advise you to check with the info center of Catania Fontarossa Airport.

      Best regards,
      Melani GBB Team

  30. Olga   •  

    Hi, Is there a bus stop near to la playa beach? We would like to go the airport directly from the beach on Thursday around 5 pm. Does not make any sence to go back to the city center. Can we get on the airport bus somewhere near to la playa? Or is it possible to walk? Is there a pedestrian road to the airport? Thanks

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Olga,

      There’s no direct transport to the beach from Fontanarossa Airport and there’s no pedestrian road, you will have to circle around. I suggest going to the city center first.

      Best regards,
      Melani GBB Team

  31. Ana Pires   •  

    Hi!
    I have an early flight on 26th this month, so I want to be at the airport at 5h30 at most. At what time can I get the bus and where, near the center of Catania?

    Thank you very much, in advance!
    Ana Pires

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Ana,

      Please consult the timetable link given in the blog post, the earliest bus departs from the airport at 04:40 and then goes to Stazione Centrale and circles back to the airport, so the bus should be at 05:00 at Stazione Centrale and back at the airport around 05:20/25.

      Best regard
      Melani GBB Team

  32. Eliza   •  

    Hallo, we will arrive by air at 11:05am at Catania CTA on 15.10.2019. What is the cheapest way to go from CTA directly to Syracuse? I am aware there is bus line between the 2 cities, but may not run in October. If it runs, where can I get the time table? how much one way costs? and can I buy ticket onboard? Many thanks in advance.

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Eliza,

      The bus from Catania Airport to Syracuse runs regularly every day and it is operated by AST local bus company. For more information, I suggest to consult the info desk directly at Catania Airport once you arrive.

      Best regards
      Melani GBB Team

  33. Alison Galea   •  

    Hi we are booked from the 14th of March till the 17th of March is there a direct bus that goes from catania fontanarossa airport to Taormina center please?
    Thanks
    Alison Galea

    • Melani   •  

      Dear Alison,

      The best way to reach Taormina is either by Interbus from Catania Piazza Michelangelo or by train from Catania Centrale to Taormina-Giardini.

      Best regards,
      Melani GBB Team

  34. Lucia   •  

    Hello,
    How do we order a child safety seat for a coach from Catania airport to Taormina for my 2year old?
    Thank you?

    • Maja   •  

      Dear Lucia,

      unfortunately, we don’t have that information, but we suggest you send an inquiry to the shuttle carrier AMT Alibus here.

      Best regards,
      Maja, GBB Team

  35. Aneta Zemanová   •  

    Hi,

    can we buy tickets for the airport shuttle online?

    Thanks,
    Aneta

    • Kristina   •  

      Hi Aneta,

      As far as we know, the tickets can be purchased directly at the airport or directly from the driver once you board the bus. However, there should also be some sites which offer the ticket purchase online – none that we’re aware of I am afraid.
      If there’s anything else we can help you with, let us know.

      Best regards,
      Kristina, GetByBus

  36. Daniel Augusta   •  

    Hello, are there some public buses from Catania center to airport at about 3 or 4 AM, on 1st January 2022?

    • Maja   •  

      Dear Daniel,

      according to the official holiday schedule, the first bus on the 1st of January departs at 04:40 am from the airport to the city centre, then returns to the airport.
      The journey time to the city centre is about 20 minutes.

      Best,
      GBB Team

  37. Zrinka   •  

    Dear service, could you tell me nearest bus station to Via Etnea 196, using public bus from the airport?
    Tnx

    • Maja   •  

      Hi Zrinka,

      the closest bus stations are Etnea Pacini on one side and Stesicoro on the other side of the street. Both are located about 2 minutes from Via Etnea 196.

      Best,
      GBB Team

  38. Nicholas   •  

    I will take the bus from Syracuse to Catania-Fontanarossa. Could you please tell me how far is the airport from the bus stop?

    • Maja   •  

      Hi Nicholas,

      if you’re taking a bus directly from the airport, then the bus station is located just outside of the terminal, about a minute walking from the airport.

      Best,
      GBB Team

  39. carmen gauci   •  

    Hi
    When using Alibus from the airport to Catania centre I would like to know where to stop for Magione del Re, Via Plebiscito please?

    Thanks

    • Dino   •  

      Hello Carmen,

      You can leave the bus at the Piazza Stesicoro bus stop. It’s a 5min walk from the bus stop to your destination. Use the GPS to follow your exact location while in bus, or just ask the driver
      to notify you about the stop.

      Best,
      GBB Team

  40. Elvira Harshazi   •  

    Hi,

    Can you please recommend an airport shuttle for us ( 2 adults and a 2-year-old child) from Catania airport to our hotel in Letojanni and back to the airport as well?
    How much will it cost?
    Thank you.

    Regards,
    Elvira

    • Maja   •  

      Hi Elvira,

      you can take a shuttle bus described in the text. Board it at Taormina Via Leonardo Da Vinci and get off at Letojanni Via Marangoni.

      Best,
      GBB Team

      • Shar   •  

        Good afternoon. We are in need of reliable ground transportation from town to town as we travel around Sicily. Not a guided tour or anything fancy. We speak English only. We just need to get from point A to point B. We will shuttle from Palermo airport to city center in Palermo. We will have 3 night stays booked in each location. We need someone to take us from …
        Palermo to Cefalu
        Cefalu to Catania.
        Catania to Syracuse etc. Any help is greatly appreciated!

        • Maja   •  

          Hi,

          maybe you can consider booking a transfer for these routes. This way you can be taken directly to any destination, door-to-door.

          Best,
          GBB Team

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