A Taormina day trip from Catania can combine rail travel, a bus into Taormina Centro, a walk through the historic centre and a visit to the Ancient Theatre. Trenitalia’s Taormina Link joins the train journey to Taormina-Giardini with onward bus travel.
- Rail connection: Taormina-Giardini is the station; the Taormina Link adds a bus to Taormina Centro.
- Bus fare: €2 for a single journey from Taormina-Giardini, added to your rail fare.
- Ancient Theatre: Admission is €14 full price and €7 reduced price.
- Seasonal hours: In October, the theatre’s opening hours vary between the first and second halves of the month.
If Catania is your base, Miramare Hotel, a three-star hotel in Catania, is one place to stay while planning the excursion.
Getting from Catania to Taormina
The Taormina Link combines rail travel to Taormina-Giardini with a bus onward to Taormina Centro, making it possible to plan the station transfer as part of one journey. The €2 single-journey bus fare is added to the rail fare you choose.
You can buy the integrated Taormina Centro ticket with your rail ticket through Trenitalia’s website or app, at station self-service machines or ticket offices, and through authorised travel agencies, PUNTOLIS tobacconists and Mooney outlets. If you’re travelling from Catania, check the rail options and ticket details with Trenitalia before setting out.
For getting around at the Catania end of your trip, the guide to Catania’s public transport covers the city’s metro, buses and stations.
Walk through the historic centre
Taormina Centro is the bus destination named in the Taormina Link, so you can begin exploring the historic centre after arriving there. The town-centre walk fits naturally between your arrival and a visit to the Ancient Theatre.
Allow your schedule to account for both the onward bus and your return journey to Taormina-Giardini. The return schedule is an important part of planning the day; check the relevant Trenitalia information before you go.
Visit the Ancient Theatre
The Ancient Theatre is at Via del Teatro Greco, 40, 98039 Taormina (ME), and admission costs €14 at full price or €7 at the reduced price.
Opening hours vary: the theatre is open from 9:00 to 19:45, with last entry at 19:00; from October 1–15, hours are 9:00–18:15, with last entry at 17:30, and from October 16–31, hours are 9:00–17:45, with last entry at 17:00. The park’s sites close on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Easter and June 12, the patron saint’s feast day.
Hours and admission can change, so check the official site before you go, using the Ancient Theatre’s park or ticket information.
Plan the return and seasonal details
Build your return to Catania around the train from Taormina-Giardini and the bus connection from Taormina Centro. The Taormina Link ticket combines the onward bus with rail travel, but the bus fare is added to the rail fare, so check that both parts suit your plan.
For a Catania day before or after the excursion, the walk through Catania’s historic centre offers a separate city itinerary.
FAQs
What is the Taormina Link?
It combines rail travel to Taormina-Giardini with a bus onward to Taormina Centro. The single-journey bus fare is €2, added to your chosen rail fare.
Where is Taormina’s train station?
The railway station is Taormina-Giardini. The Taormina Link connects it by bus with Taormina Centro.
When is the last entry to the Ancient Theatre?
Last entry ranges from 17:00 to 19:00, depending on the opening schedule. In October, it is 17:30 from October 1–15 and 17:00 from October 16–31.
Where can you buy the integrated ticket?
You can buy it with your rail ticket through Trenitalia’s website or app, station machines or ticket offices, authorised travel agencies, PUNTOLIS tobacconists and Mooney outlets.