The closest airport to Taormina is Catania (CTA, about 65 km).

Please note: a few booking services may include, by default, the Comiso Airport as a possible destination when you ask for Catania; the distance between Comiso Airport (CIY) and Taormina is more that 140 km).

 

Catania Airport

Catania Airport (CTA) is located 65 kilometers from Taormina (see map below).

Once you arrive at Catania Airport, there are multiple options to reach Taormina.

 

Rent a car.

Major car rental companies operate in Catania. The car rental parking is located in front of the airport terminal. As mentioned above, acces to Taormina by car is restricted, but you can leave the care in a large parking lot less than 200 meter form the conference venue (see map below: parking “Parcheggio Porta Catania”). A car allows you to fully enjoy the conference and Taormina, while giving you the option to find possibly less expensive accomodation just ouside downtown Taormina. 

 

Take a train directly from the airport

Catania Airport train station is 600 meters from the airport terminal and is connected by a shuttle service every 10 minutes. From the “Catania Airport” train station, you can reach the “Taormina-Giardini” train station (that is actually located in the Giarnini Naxos town) and, if you have purchased a ticket with destination “Taormina Centro”, you will find a shuttle bus that will bring you to destination in a matter of minutes.

Please consult the Trenitalia website for the timetable and for ticket reservation/purchase.

 

Take a bus to Taormina or to Giardini Naxos at the airport exit.

There are shuttle buses that connect Catania Airport to Taormina or to Giardini Naxos at regular intervals (interval between departures is typically less than one hour).

Timetables, cost and maps will be published soon, when official timatables for the spring/summer season will be available. 

 

Taxi/private taxi services

Since Taormina is a popular and fashionable destination, besides regular TAXIs, there is a number of private shuttle services that can be used. Needless to say, Taxi or private taxi solutions are much more expensive than train or bus. In any case, at present rates,  a one way private shuttle from Catania Airport to Taormina can cost less than 150 EUR for up to 3 persons and less than 200 EUR for up to 5 persons. These solutions may be convenient when  travelling in small groups.