Page 238 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

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Travel InformaTIon

The two main airports in Sicily are at ferry service links Sicily with the mainland
opposite ends of the island, one at Palermo (connecting reggio Calabria and Messina).
and the other at Catania. in the holiday The state railway, Ferrovie dello Stato
season, charter flights may land directly at (FS), runs regular trains using this ferry
one of these, but the majority of travellers link. The smaller offshore islands are
flying to Sicily will fly first to a mainland also easy to reach by ferry and some of
airport, usually Milan or rome, before them, for example lampedusa, even
changing to a connecting flight. a good have a small airport.

available in April, May, October
and November, as well as during
winter, except for public holidays.

Domestic Flights
Alitalia, Meridiana fly and Air
One offer frequent services from
the Italian mainland. The latter
company also offers flights to
Sicily’s neighbouring islands,
more frequently in the summer.
Other minor compa nies such as
Blu-Express by Blu Panorama
Airlines offer cheaper flights in
Ticket counters at Catania Fontanarossa airport high season.
Airports
flights from European cities
The island’s main airports are operate all year round, linking Arriving by Rail
Palermo Punta Raisi and London Gatwick to Catania or The Italian State Railway (FS)
Catania Fontanarossa, and both Palermo. British Airways runs a operates services throughout
serve international flights (see London–Catania service, while Italy, with regular links to Sicily.
below). The former also serves Ryanair flies from Stansted to Those planning to travel to Sicily
domestic flights to and from Palermo and Comiso. British by train should reserve a seat
Rome, Naples, Bologna, Milan, Airways offers flights from (the trains are crowded in high
Pisa, Genoa, Turin, Verona, Gatwick to Catania, while season) and be pre pared for a
Cagliari, and the Sicilian islands of easyJet provides direct flights long, and often uncom fort able,
Pantelleria and Lampedusa. from Gatwick to Palermo. The journey. By way of compen­
Catania serves the eastern side, Italian state airline, Alitalia, has sation, the coastline as you
with flights to and from Rome, no direct London–Sicily flights. travel to the south of Rome is
Milan, Turin, Naples, Verona, American, Delta and United stunningly beautiful. If possible,
Genoa and Pisa. The smaller Airlines offer direct flights from book a berth or couchette
Trapani Birgi airport offers the United States to Rome, (sleeping com part ment)
connections only to and from where you can catch a before you travel.
Palermo and the islands of connecting flight to Sicily.
Pantelleria and Lampedusa
(the latter has a tiny airport
linked to Rome, Milan and Tickets and Fares
Verona). The airports on the For those flying from Italy,
islands connect to Trapani and affordable flight tickets to Sicily
Palermo airports, and to other can be bought from Meridiana
mainland towns. A new airport fly. Ryanair offers the cheapest
in Comiso serves the Ragusa– fares for those travelling from
Syracuse area. London to Palermo. Generally,
most air lines use their websites
to promote sales and bargain
Arriving by Air tickets. Booking well in advance
There are regular flights from can also secure very
the Italian mainland to Palermo competitively priced air tickets. Stately façade of the train station
and Catania. Direct charter The lowest prices are usually in Palermo

SC_236-237.indd 236 18/11/2014 16:25
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm