Sicily shore excursions with a private driver
If your ship calls in Sicily, the driver is at the cruise terminal exit holding a sign with your name, at the point set when you book; we track the docking from your ship's name. You can choose a fixed-price transfer to a single place, with the ride back to the port, or one of the day tours that can also start at the port. For each port, the places and the prices by Standard Sedan and Standard Van, for up to 8 people.
From Messina port: Taormina, Etna, Savoca
In Messina ships berth in the historic harbour, close to the cathedral. Taormina is about 52 minutes away, Savoca and Forza d'Agrò, the Godfather villages, are on the same road, and Rifugio Sapienza on Mount Etna is about 1 h 50 away.
| Destination | Distance and drive time | Standard Sedan / Standard Van (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Taormina | about 50 km, about 52 minutes | 100 / 120 |
| Castelmola | about 55 km, about 1 h | 120 / 145 |
| Savoca | about 41 km, about 47 minutes | 100 / 120 |
| Forza d'Agrò | about 45 km, about 52 minutes | 100 / 120 |
| Alcantara Gorges | about 65 km, about 1 h 10 | 130 / 160 |
| Mount Etna (Rifugio Sapienza) | about 96 km, about 1 h 50 | 185 / 225 |
| Catania Airport | about 103 km, about 1 h 25 | 240 / 300 |
From Catania port: Etna, Taormina, Syracuse
The Catania cruise terminal is a short walk from the old town and the railway station, about 10 minutes from the airport. Rifugio Sapienza on Mount Etna is about 1 h away, Taormina about 51 minutes to the north, Syracuse about 1 h 10 to the south.
| Destination | Distance and drive time | Standard Sedan / Standard Van (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Etna (Rifugio Sapienza) | about 36 km, about 1 h | 100 / 120 |
| Taormina | about 54 km, about 51 minutes | 120 / 145 |
| Syracuse (Ortigia) | about 68 km, about 1 h 10 | 130 / 160 |
| Noto | about 91 km, about 1 h 25 | 185 / 225 |
| Villa Romana del Casale | about 104 km, about 1 h 40 | 250 / 305 |
| Catania city centre | about 2 km, about 6 minutes | 50 / 60 |
| Catania Airport | about 6 km, about 10 minutes | 35 / 55 |
From Palermo port: Monreale, Cefalù, the city
In Palermo ships dock at the Palermo Cruise Terminal, in the old Stazione Marittima, a few minutes from the old town. Monreale is about 22 minutes away, Cefalù about 1 h 15; Segesta and Erice make a longer day.
| Destination | Distance and drive time | Standard Sedan / Standard Van (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Palermo city centre | about 2 km, about 6 minutes | 50 / 60 |
| Monreale | about 11 km, about 22 minutes | 55 / 65 |
| Mondello | about 14 km, about 24 minutes | 55 / 65 |
| Cefalù | about 70 km, about 1 h 15 | 130 / 160 |
| Segesta | about 77 km, about 1 h 20 | 160 / 195 |
| Erice | about 113 km, about 1 h 45 | 265 / 325 |
| Palermo Airport | about 31 km, about 43 minutes | 50 / 70 |
For the way back, plan the return with a wide margin before the all-aboard time: traffic out of the cities and on mountain roads changes by the hour, and no one can promise timings.
From the ship to Etna, Taormina or Monreale
Mount Etna from the ship
The car climbs to Rifugio Sapienza, at 1,923 m on the south side, where you walk around the Silvestri craters on the marked paths. From there the Etna cable car rises to 2,500 m, with the ticket bought on site; higher up you go with the cable car's 4x4 vehicles and with alpine or volcanological guides, depending on the ordinance in force and the weather.
From Catania port to the Rifugio it takes about 1 h: 100 EUR by Standard Sedan, 120 EUR by van for up to 8.
Taormina, Savoca, Monreale
In Taormina the car stops at the Porta Catania car park or at Lumbi, where a shuttle runs up to Porta Messina: from there you walk into Corso Umberto, which is pedestrian. Savoca and Forza d'Agrò, the Godfather villages, lie on the road between Messina and Taormina.
From Palermo, entry to the cathedral of Monreale is free and the cloister has its own ticket. You buy your own tickets; inside the sites you visit alone or with an authorised guide, on request, paid separately.
In brief: shore excursions
How much is the transfer from Messina port to Taormina?
100 EUR by Standard Sedan, 120 EUR by Standard Van for up to 8: a fixed price per vehicle, shown in the form before you book and locked at booking.
Transfer or day tour?
A transfer drops you at one place and the way back is booked on its own; if you want several stops in one day, such as Mount Etna and Taormina, pick a day tour from the tours page.
Is getting back to the ship guaranteed?
No: timings on Sicilian roads cannot be guaranteed. The driver works out the return with time to spare before all-aboard, and it is wise to allow some extra time yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Yes: put the ship's name and the expected arrival in the form; the driver works to the actual docking.
Yes, if you book a day tour: the car is yours until you are back at the port. With a simple transfer, book the trip back to the port as well.
No, not by car: the car reaches Rifugio Sapienza; higher up you go by cable car and 4x4, paid on site, and the summit area only with alpine or volcanological guides, under the ordinance in force.
Your day from the port
Type the port and your destination in the form: the fixed price of each vehicle appears. If you want several stops in one day, look at the tours.
