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It is easiest to get around Sicily by car, particularly in the remote interior. Bring a good map, an international driving licence, and all the necessary paperwork for your vehicle as the Italian authorities spend a good deal of time examining documents. Beware of city traffic: the fast-moving pace, impatient Italian drivers and narrow, one-way streets can be nervewracking. In Palermo and Catania it is best to park the car and explore by bus and on foot.

Car rental is available at major airports and in cities and larger towns. Most companies do not charge a drop-off fee if you remain on the island, so you can pick a car up in Palermo and drop it off in Catania for no extra charge. Several private companies rent cars on the offshore islands.

Sicily’s reputation for aggressive drivers may seem deserved at first glance but if you look closely, you’ll notice that everybody lets everyone else cut in. Make eye contact, take advantage of an opening, and merge. There are, of course, people who just ignore all the rules, so always stay alert.

Bus service in cities and large towns is reliable and extensive, and a good way for tourists to get around. Tickets are available from kiosks near major stops, from some bars and from tobacconists (look for the black sign with a “T”). Validate your ticket in the yellow punch card machine once on board.

Train services, provided by the Italian State Railways (Ferrovie dello Stato ) do exist in Sicily, but with more routes available in the eastern part of the island than in the west. Timetables are available on the Internet (see By Train) or pick one up at a station. The main train station in town is called the stazione centrale . Service is reliable for the most part but trains can run late.

Bus services are comprehensive and heavily used by Sicilians, who often work or attend school or university away from their home village. A variety of regional bus companies provide coverage throughout the island (reduced service on Sundays). The main bus companies are SAIS, Interbus and AST. Bus stations are called auto-stazione and are usually located near train stations.

If you are an experienced cyclist Sicily offers some good biking opportunities but beware of the long distances and steep inclines. Bicycles are for rent in cities and on the offshore islands, for very reasonable rates if not for free (see Cycling).

Ferries (traghetti ) and hydrofoils (aliscafi ) ply the routes between Sicily and the offshore islands, ports on mainland Italy, as well as Sardinia and Corsica (see By Boat). Private boats, with a captain if you prefer, are available for rent from many ports, and fishermen are usually willing to give tourists a quick tour.

Scooter rentals are reasonably priced and a fun way to get around smaller towns and the offshore islands. Rental companies provide helmets, instructions and usually a map. It is not recommended for big city transport as the traffic is chaotic and truly dangerous for scooters.

Taxis are available in cities from marked taxi stands and work on a metered basis. Taxi drivers are also open to setting a fee for a day or more of a private service if you want to get around without driving yourself.