Among the Italians, Sicily is a top summer destination, so when the mercury rises, so do airfares – but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy Italian island life on a budget. While you can save on air travel by booking your trip out of season, it's quite easy to plan a budget-friendly itinerary throughout the year.
Unlike other notoriously more expensive destinations in Italy, like the Amalfi Coast or Lake Como, Sicily has the advantages of size and variety. It's easy to find cheap meals, off-the-beaten-path accommodations, and even affordable public transportation to get around without racking up the bill at the gas pump. Low season, between November and April, is the cheapest time to visit Sicily, but with these budget travel tips you can put together a budget-friendly itinerary any time of year.
Daily costs in Sicily
Hostel room: €30-50
Basic room for two: 70-180€
Independent apartment: €70-200
Public transport from the airport: €2-7
Coffee: €1.5-3
Cannolo: €2-3.5
Margarita pizzas: €6-10
A glass of wine: 3-5€
A dinner for two: €20-60
Average daily cost: €115
Compare flight prices between Palermo and Catania airports
Outside of Europe, you'll struggle to find direct flights to Sicily, so if you're coming from further afield, you'll likely have to go through a major Italian hub like Rome or Milan. However, before you make your plans, it's worth comparing the price difference between flights to Catania and Palermo. Either city is a fantastic starting point for a trip to Sicily, and the best way to see a large part of the island is to arrive in one and depart from the other.
Off-season domestic flights start at around €30-35, and if you plan ahead, you can find flights in peak season (July and August) for around €70-100. Generally, flights to Catania tend to be cheaper, especially in summer, as more the most beautiful beaches in Sicily are located near Palermo.
Consider getting there by train
If you're considering a visit to Sicily as part of a larger trip to Italy, consider taking the train rather than the plane. Not only is this a more sustainable option, but it is also a unique experience because to cross the Strait of Messina, which is notoriously difficult to bridge, the wagons board a ferry.
The lowest prices for an 11-hour journey from Rome to Palermo start at around €38, but on average you can expect to pay between €50 and €100 depending on how far in advance you book. Flying can sometimes be cheaper, but it's worth comparing options before booking.
Take advantage of public transport
Many places in Sicily, especially small inland villages and even remote seaside towns, can be difficult to access by public transport – but not impossible. Rental cars and the cost of gas can be expensive, and you run the risk of running into dreaded Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) fines. great way to get around if you want to save money. It's easier to travel along the main rail lines, but it won't get you everywhere. You can use websites like Rome2Rio And Times to check bus timetables, but often the best way to get the most accurate information is to go to the station and ask around.
Find budget accommodation outside major city centers
If you rent a car, you can balance your budget by booking accommodation outside the major city centers. In smaller towns, you can find apartment rentals and hotels for as little as €40 per night, or get better value at an agriturismo for between €80 and €150.
You can also look into staying in a monastery or convent, where rooms in religious institutions are rented cheaply, sometimes in very popular locations. For example, in the charming seaside village of Cefalù, the Maria di Cefalù College offers modest rooms with sea views from €45 per night.
Enjoy street food
There is no shortage of good places eat in Sicily, and some local specialties, like couscous or swordfish, are worth a detour from time to time. However, if you want to save money, it's more than easy to stock up on affordable street food like Arancini – fried rice balls.
In Palermo you can find many cheap restaurants in local markets like La Vucciria or the Ballarò Market, the latter also being a good place to browse the fruit and vegetable stands or find tasty souvenirs to take home. In Catania you can visit the fish market, or La Pescheriawhich is surrounded by many good seafood restaurants and a few places that specialize in presenting the city's classic street foods.
Local advice: If you order rice balls in Catania, be sure to ask for one arancin (feminine) instead of arancino (male) – Sicily's two largest cities have a friendly rivalry over the pronunciation of this beloved snack.
Plan your trip around nature
You could spend your days in and out of Sicily's many museums and archaeological parks, but ticket costs will definitely add up. Fortunately, many of Sicily's natural attractions are free, or at least accessible for a small entrance fee if it's a protected reserve like Zingaro Nature Reserve, where a seven-kilometre trail takes you along a beautiful coastline with plenty of swimming holes. This route combines the the best hikes in Sicily and beach attractions, but there are many more environmentally diverse areas to explore. THE Vendicari Reserve near Noto is full of pink flamingos. Or visit the Bosco Della Ficuzza near Corleone, a forest that was once the favorite hunting ground of King Ferdinand in the 18th century.
Bring your own beach kit
In most beach destinations, unless access is difficult, you can expect to find a pool, or beach club, responding to the daily flow of bathers. In addition to selling food, they also rent chairs and umbrellas, arranged perfectly in rows each morning. Each lido has its territory on the beach, so keep in mind that you will not be able to take the deck chairs with you. Typically, lidos charge the same price for the whole day, so it's good value if you arrive early, but not so much if you arrive without much daylight.
You can save quite a bit of money if you pack your own set of towels and umbrellas, even more if you think ahead and pack a picnic for lunch. For a single day, this may be too much to carry, especially for minimalist travelers, but if you're staying at the same beach for a few days, an umbrella is a worthwhile investment.
Local advice: Snorkelers should keep in mind that rental shops are few and far between, so if you want to make the most of the island's crystal clear waters, be sure to bring your own pair of goggles.
