Two entrances, three ways to get there
Etna has two main entrances for visitors. The south side starts at Rifugio Sapienza in the municipality of Nicolosi, where the Funivia dell'Etna (the cable car) leaves from 1,923 m. The north side starts at Piano Provenzana near Linguaglossa. They are separate destinations with separate meeting points, so decide which side you want before you choose how to travel.
This page treats the coast only as a starting point. You can fly into Catania airport, and Catania and Taormina have their own guides for the towns themselves. From either one, the volcano is a day trip by public bus, car or guided tour. This is an independent guide, not an official transport or tourism site.
The AST bus from Catania to the south side
The cheapest option, with one big limit: the return time.
Timetable
The regional bus company AST lists a daily service called Bus Catania to Etna, with exception days, in a notice of 28 July 2026. The timetable reported in September 2026 has one departure at 08:15 from Piazza Giovanni XXIII, in front of Catania Centrale station. The bus goes back from Rifugio Sapienza at 16:30. Each leg takes about 2 hours. Check the current timetable before you go.
Tickets
The return fare was reported as €6.60 in September 2026. You can buy it on the bus. A ticket bought in advance does not reserve a seat, so arrive early at the stop.
Days without service
No bus runs on 25 December, 1 January, 1 May, 15 August and Easter Sunday. There is no general gap on Sundays.
Time on the mountain
With an arrival around 10:15 and a departure at 16:30, you have roughly six hours at the south side. That is enough for the cable car, the Silvestri craters and a meal at the refuge, but not for a long hike.
Getting back down
The cable car runs from 08:30 to 16:45 and the last descent is at 17:15, which is later than the bus leaves. Come down earlier and do not count on a connection if you are late.
Cable car prices and times →Our picks: Etna from Catania and Taormina
Tours with hotel or arranged pickup, including a day that ends in Taormina.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Etna and Taormina day trip with lunch
A nature guide, hotel pickup, lunch, water, a glass of wine, hiking gear and the transfer to Taormina. Entrance tickets are not included.
Check availability →Etna and Alcantara Gorges full-day tour
Transfer, a local guide, lunch with a drink and coffee, helmet, torch and water. Entry to the Alcantara Gorges through the municipal access is included.
Check availability →
Etna morning or sunset tour with tasting
Air-conditioned transfer from your hotel, a light guided hike, a lava cave, helmet and torch, plus cantucci and Zibibbo wine. No cable car.
Check availability →Etna tours from Catania and Taormina
Guided trips to the south and north sides, jeep excursions and wine days, with live prices and availability.
By car or with a tour
Pick the meeting point of your own plan, not just the volcano.
Driving to the south side
Drive to Nicolosi and follow the provincial road to the car park at Rifugio Sapienza, which is also the way to the Silvestri craters. Some municipal car parks near the south station are paid. In snow and ice the road can close: an order of 22 January 2026 banned traffic on parts of the road to the Silvestri craters. Check conditions on the day in winter.
Driving to the north side
The north approach goes along the Mareneve road from Linguaglossa to Piano Provenzana. Allow about 1 hour 30 minutes from Catania and about 1 hour 15 minutes from Taormina, more in traffic.
Linguaglossa as a base →From Taormina
A direct scheduled bus to the south station is not something to count on. From Taormina most visitors take a guided tour or drive. The north side is the shorter drive from there.
Guided tours
A tour solves transport, timing and the access rules in one booking. The Tour 3000 package costs €82 in 2026 and includes the cable car, an off-road bus or snow vehicle and a guide. It starts at Rifugio Sapienza, so you still need to get there from the coast.
Tours compared →Getting to Etna: options compared
Prices are for 2026 and per adult.
| Option | Starts | Duration | Cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AST bus | Catania Centrale, 08:15 | about 2 h each way | €6.60 return, plus the cable car | Solo travellers on a budget |
| Own car, south | Nicolosi | – | Fuel and parking | Flexible days, Silvestri craters |
| Own car, north | Linguaglossa | about 1 h 15 to 1 h 30 | Fuel and parking | North side and wine visits |
| Tour 3000 (south) | Rifugio Sapienza | about 2.5 h | €82 | Highest point the rules allow, with a guide |
| North package from one operator | Piano Provenzana | about 2.5 h | €69 adult, €50 child | Jeep ride and a guide on the north side |
The height you reach depends on the rules and the weather of the day, not on the name of the product. Read the guide on the rules for hiking Etna before you book a summit trip.
Keep planning
Other pages for your trip to the volcano.
Etna from Catania and Taormina: frequently asked questions
Is there a public bus from Catania to Etna?
Yes. AST runs a daily service from Catania to Rifugio Sapienza on the south side, with a few days off a year. The timetable reported in September 2026 has one departure at 08:15 and a return at 16:30. Check the current timetable before you go.
How much does the bus cost?
The return fare was reported as €6.60 in September 2026, and you can buy it on the bus. The cable car is a separate ticket.
Can I go to Etna from Taormina without a car?
The simplest way is a guided tour with pick-up. Otherwise you travel via Catania and take the AST bus from there, which makes for a long day.
Can I visit Etna in half a day?
On the south side, yes, if you have a car. The cable car alone fits into a morning. With the AST bus the schedule gives you about six hours.
Which side is better, north or south?
The south has the cable car, the Silvestri craters and the bus link from Catania. The north starts near Linguaglossa and suits wine visits. Their tours and rules differ, so book the side that matches your plan.
Is this the official transport site?
No. This is an independent guide. Timetables and fares change, so confirm them with the bus company and the operators.