FAQ

HOW FAR IS TAORMINA FROM MAJOR AIRPORTS?

Catania airport is approximately 65km (40 minutes by car), whilst Palermo airport is 290km (2 hours 50 minutes).

You can reach Taormina by private transfer, rental car, bus, or train from Catania.

Villa Mon Repos and Mon Repos Avenir have free parking.

Transportation from Rome to Catania:
The quickest way is by flight, with several daily options available.

If you prefer to travel by car, keep in mind that Sicily is an island, so you’ll need to take a ferry from Villa San Giovanni in Calabria to Messina. From there, you can drive to Catania via the A18 highway.

Renting a car is also recommended for getting around and visiting Taormina. The town is built on multiple levels: the lowest one by the sea, Villa Mon Repos in the middle, and the town center at the top. There is only one road connecting them, and it’s not really feasible to walk.

CURRENCY

Italy uses the Euro (€), you can exchange currency at the airport but the best option is to withdraw euros at your bank in America.

Credit cards are widely accepted, but carry cash for small businesses, markets, taxis and rural areas. Tips are not mandatory here but well accepted.

American Express is generally accepted but it’s not always accepted, be sure to have another payment method.

VISA

U.S. citizens can travel to Italy for up to 90 days for tourism without a visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date.

EMERGENCY NUMBER IN ITALY

Dial 112 for any emergency (police, ambulance, or fire).

MOBILE PHONE AND DATA

Most U.S. carriers offer international roaming plans.

Consider buying an Italian SIM card or a digital one (TIM, Vodafone, Airalo) for cheaper data and calls. Wi-fi in public areas is usually free but not always.

RESTAURANTS

In some of the major cities restaurants could be always open. In small cities you can find restaurants open for lunch from 12AM to 2:30PM and for dinner from 7PM to 9.30PM.
In Italy you can’t order tap water but only bottled water (still or sparkling).

DRIVING

Driver’s License Requirements

If you have a license issued by a foreign country outside the European Community, you need a certified translation of the license or an International Driving Permit (IDP)along with their U.S. driver’s license to rent a car in Italy. These can be obtained in a AAA Location.
Please check your Rental’s policy before departing for more information.

Minimum Age

Many of the renting companies require a minimum age of 21 years to rent a car. Though some agencies may have a minimum age of 18 years old.
Drivers under 26 may face a young driver surcharge.
Please check your Rental’s policy before departing for more information.

Insurance:

Basic insurance is usually included, but it’s important to check the details.
Be aware that some coverage options have excess (a deductible), so check the terms carefully. You can purchase additional coverage to reduce the excess.
Usually they will require a deposit as warranty (or a block on the credit card), once you return the car with no damages you will have the deposit back.
Please check your Rental’s policy before departing for more information.

Rental Car Pickup and Drop-off:

Rental cars are available at airports, train stations, and city locations. Be sure to clarify if there are any additional fees for picking up and dropping off the car at different locations.
Main companies in Italy are: Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Sixt(each of them have different policies)
You’ll need to present your driver’s license, IDP, and a credit card (not debit card) when picking up the car.
Please check your Rental’s policy before departing for more information.

Driving in Italy:

Speed limits: On highways (autostrade) – 130 km/h (81 mph), in urban areas – 50 km/h (31 mph), and in residential zones – 30 km/h (19 mph).
Fuel: Gas stations are widely available, but pay attention to whether the station requires you to prepay or if you can pay after fueling.
Tolls: Many highways (autostrade) are toll roads. You can pay tolls with cash or credit cards.
Alcohol: The general legal limit of alcohol in the blood of drivers is 0.5 g/l (0.05%). A special limit of 0.00% applies for newly licensed drivers having held their driving license for less than 3 years, young drivers up to 21, as well as for professional drivers.

Restricted Zones (ZTL):

Most major Italian cities have Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL), especially in historical city centers (e.g., Milan, Florence, Rome). These areas restrict vehicle access, and if you enter without permission, you may be fined.
Ensure you are aware of the ZTL locations and plan your route accordingly. Avoid entering these zones unless you are staying at a hotel that provides access permits.