Messina to Taormina
Taormina is 44 km south of Messina along the coast, then a climb of about 200 m from the shore to the town.
- The station is on the shore and the town is on the hill above it. The climb is the part people underestimate.
- Regional trains are roughly hourly and can run late. Check the return departure before you settle in at the Teatro Antico.
Most ships also sell a coach excursion to Taormina. However you travel, being back aboard before all-aboard is your own arrangement to make — we publish the journey, not your sailing. Your guide plays either way, and it is yours to keep.
- 40–55 min Messina Centrale to Taormina-Giardini station, regional service along the coast.
- 15–30 min Taormina-Giardini station up to the town, by Interbus shuttle or the Mazzaro cable car.
0.9–1.4 hours each way
Plan your return against your ship's all-aboard time, which is on your daily programme. It is earlier than the departure time, and if you are coming back by tender the last tender leaves earlier still.
Open live transit directions — times on the day, in your own maps app.
Checked 2026-09-17. Sources: Trenitalia regional timetable, Mess..., Road and rail distance measured on ....