Renting a Car at Catania (Sicily) Airport
Last updated: April 2026
Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) is Sicily's busiest airport and the starting point for incredible road trips around the island. Rental counters are in the arrivals hall, with Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, and excellent local operators Sicily by Car and AutoEuropa. Sicilian rentals are among Italy's cheapest — a week-long compact car hire in shoulder season starts around €80.
🎯 Quick Tip
Sicily by Car and AutoEuropa are local Sicilian operators with newer fleets and better prices than international brands at CTA. They include more insurance coverage in the base price and have shorter queues — book direct on their websites for the best rates.
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Airport Pickup Tips
CTA rental desks are immediately to the right after exiting baggage claim. The airport is compact — you'll be at the desk within 2 minutes of leaving customs. Present your passport, EU license or IDP, and credit card. Sicilian operators are friendly and informal but thorough with documentation. Typical pickup: 10–20 minutes.
Sicilian roads are narrow and uneven in places — check the undercarriage, wheel rims (curbing is endemic), and both mirrors carefully. The volcanic ash from Mount Etna occasionally coats cars with a fine grit that can mask existing scratches. Wipe the car with the provided cloth before your inspection, especially if parked in the outdoor lot.
For detailed guidance, see our pre-drive checklist.
Explore Catania (Sicily) by Car
Catania is eastern Sicily's main airport and the ideal starting point for a Sicilian road trip. Drive around Mount Etna, explore the baroque towns of Noto and Ragusa, and reach the stunning beaches of Cefalù on the north coast.
Top drive from Catania (Sicily): Circumnavigation of Mount Etna via the SP92
Full Catania (Sicily) Car Hire Guide →
Getting from Catania (Sicily) Airport to the City
CTA is 7 km south of Catania center — a 15-minute drive via the Tangenziale (ring road). For Taormina, take the A18/E45 north (55 min). For Siracusa, head south on the E45 (50 min). For Mount Etna's northern approach (Linguaglossa), take the E45 north then SP71 inland (75 min). For Ragusa and baroque Sicily, take the SS514 south (90 min).
AutoEuropa and Sicily by Car have large lots on Viale Ulisse in the Zona Industriale, 3 km from CTA. Free shuttle buses depart from the arrivals exit every 10 minutes. These local operators offer complimentary infant seats and GPS units that international brands charge €10–15/day for.
What to Know Before Driving from CTA
Italy drives on the right. Autostrada speed limit is 130 km/h (110 km/h in rain), extraurbane (rural) roads 90 km/h, and urban areas 50 km/h. Sicily's autostrade are mostly toll-free (unlike mainland Italy). The ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) cameras in Catania center activate at different hours — check the posted times carefully. Sicilian drivers are expressive — honking, gesturing, and overtaking are normal communication.
Sicily's roads are a mix of modern autostrada and ancient village lanes where two cars barely fit side by side. Before leaving CTA, set your GPS to avoid 'strade comunali' (municipal roads) if your car is wider than a compact. Also verify your rental includes ZTL violation coverage — Catania, Taormina, and Siracusa all have restricted traffic zones with camera enforcement.
Fuel Stations Near CTA
IP and Q8 stations are on the Catania ring road (Tangenziale), 5 km from CTA. Fuel prices: unleaded approximately €1.85/L, diesel €1.75/L. The IP station on Viale Kennedy is the closest to CTA's rental return. Fill up at supermarket stations (Conad, Auchan) for fuel 5–8 cents cheaper than branded stations.
Local Driving Tip
Catania's one-way system around Via Etnea is notoriously confusing — program your GPS before entering and avoid the fish market area near Piazza Duomo entirely by car. The nearby Etna mountain roads have unpredictable volcanic gravel patches.