Catania Airport (CTA) → Giardini Naxos
Catania Airport to Giardini Naxos – Private Transfer
The bay below Taormina, and the first Greek landing in Sicily.
From €120
Pay on arrival — no card needed
Giardini Naxos is the seaside town that sits directly beneath Taormina, on the wide crescent bay the Greeks chose in 734 BC for their first colony in Sicily. It is where most Taormina visitors actually sleep: the beaches are long and swimmable, the seafront is flat and walkable, and the hilltop town is five minutes away by cable car or car. SAT takes you from the terminal to your hotel door with a fixed price agreed before departure — useful here, where the last stretch is a maze of one-way seafront streets that taxis charge extra for.
- 42 minutes from the terminal on the A18 motorway
- Doorstep drop-off along the Lungomare Tysandros, one-way streets included
- Taormina and Isola Bella within five minutes
- Naxos archaeological park and Capo Schisò on the headland
Catania Airport (CTA) → Giardini Naxos
Choose your vehicle
up to 4 pax
Standard Sedan
Economy option for budget-conscious travellers.
From
€120
Round trip from €228-10% on return
up to 4 pax
Mercedes E-Class
Elegant comfort for couples and small families.
From
€130
Round trip from €247-10% on return
up to 3 pax
Mercedes S-Class
Ultimate luxury for the discerning traveller.
From
€420
Round trip from €798-10% on return
up to 7 pax
Mercedes V-Class
Spacious comfort for families and small groups.
From
€175
Round trip from €333-10% on return
up to 16 pax
Minibus
Ideal for large groups, tours and events.
From
€205
Round trip from €390-10% on return
What the price includes — and what changes it
Included
- Meet & greet and flight monitoring
- Waiting time included after landing
- Tolls, fuel and VAT included
- English-speaking driver
Surcharges
- Night pickup (21:00-07:00): +30%
- Public holidays: +30%
- Booked less than 48h before: urgency surcharge
- Child seats and extra stops on request
The exact price is shown before you confirm: no surprise on arrival.
SAT
How it works
Book in 2 minutes
Fill in your details online. We confirm availability within the hour.
Your driver meets you
Name board at arrivals. We monitor your flight in real time.
Travel in comfort
Sit back in your private vehicle and enjoy the Sicilian scenery.
Why choose SAT
- Fixed price — no meter, no surprises
- Free flight monitoring & waiting time
- Professional uniformed chauffeur
- Meet & Greet at arrivals hall
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours prior
Giardini Naxos
About the destination
Naxos was the first Greek settlement in Sicily, founded on the black lava headland of Capo Schisò where the archaeological park and its museum still stand among citrus groves. The modern town spreads along a two-kilometre bay of dark volcanic sand, with a promenade of restaurants and hotels that stays lively from April to October. It is quieter and considerably cheaper than Taormina above it, while sharing the same view: the cliffs of Capo Taormina to the north, Etna behind, and Calabria across the strait on clear days.
About the route
Road, traffic and timing
From Catania Airport (CTA) to Giardini Naxos is 58 km on the A18 Messina-Catania motorway, following the Ionian coast with Etna's eastern flank on your left. Exit at Taormina/Giardini Naxos and descend two kilometres to the bay. Drive time 42 minutes, toll around €3.20 and already included in the fixed price. Traffic is smooth except on August weekends.
Travel tips
Know before you go
- Ask to be dropped at the north end of the seafront for the quieter beaches
- The Mazzarò cable car reaches Taormina in three minutes and avoids parking
- Book seafront restaurants for sunset — the bay faces north-east
What to visit
Nearby attractions
- Naxos archaeological park and museum at Capo Schisò (5 min)
- Taormina and the Ancient Theatre (10 min)
- Isola Bella nature reserve (10 min)
- Castelmola, above Taormina (25 min)
- Mount Etna, Rifugio Sapienza side (1h 15min)
When to visit
Seasonal notes & events
May, June and September are the best months: warm sea, full services, no crowds. July and August are busy and the seafront is lively until late. From November to March many hotels close and the town becomes very quiet, though the archaeological park stays open.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How far is Giardini Naxos from Catania Airport?+
58 km, about 42 minutes on the A18 motorway. Exit at Taormina/Giardini Naxos, then two minutes down to the seafront.
Is Giardini Naxos a good base for visiting Taormina?+
Yes, and it is the choice most visitors make. Taormina is five minutes away by car or by the cable car from Mazzarò, but hotels and restaurants here cost noticeably less, and you get a swimmable beach at the door.
How much does the Catania Airport to Giardini Naxos transfer cost?+
The price is fixed and per vehicle, not per passenger: from €120 with a Standard Sedan (up to 3 passengers), €130 with a Mercedes E-Class, €175 with a Mercedes V-Class (up to 6). Round trip from €228, with 10% off the return leg. Tolls, fuel, waiting time and airport meet & greet are included; night or holiday surcharges, where they apply, are shown in the quote before you book.
Will the driver reach my hotel on the seafront?+
Yes. The Lungomare Tysandros and the streets behind it are largely one-way, but our drivers know them: you are dropped at the entrance, not at a distant square.
Can we stop at the Naxos archaeological park on the way?+
Yes, on request. The park at Capo Schisò is a few minutes from the seafront and a short stop can be added when you book.
Is the beach sandy?+
Dark volcanic sand and fine gravel, gently shelving — very different from the pebbles of Isola Bella and far easier for children.
Ready to book your transfer?
Secure your private chauffeur in minutes. Confirmation within 1 hour.