ACROSS SICILY BY TRAIN. Palermo to Catania, changing at Messina. Italian railways (Trenitalia)

[@steve-marsh]

The vestibule is the only place to be mate :D

[@scotbotvideos]

First a Steve Marsh video, now one from Scott. What a great humpday this is turning out to be.

[@charinajohansson3890]

😂 same here…

[@davidknell8831]

The 2 shittest but most chilled channels on KZbin

[@gaolradio]

@@davidknell8831get away ya bam what a load of tripe

[@davidknell8831]

@ aww yr rattled as well 😂

[@davidknell8831]

@ only Scottish support these channels! Kiss my ash u scittish dickhead !

[@hanshartfiel6394]

It turns out to be a decent Wednesday after all, having videos from two of my favourite contributors. Thanks Scott

[@Tripreporternet]

Hoi, Scott, sure an interesting story. Nothing out of the ordinary with the train thing between PMO/Palermo and CTA/Catania, it´s Sicily!. Done these routing both directions several times. Always something special. Greetings, Markus

[@elroyvanderley6460]

Lovely video! Been to Palermo 3 times! Had daytrips to Mondello Beach and the fisherman's town Cefalu. In March Im finally going to explore Catania, Taormina and Messina. Good stuff!

[@rickreid8572]

sketchy parts? He lives in Paisley!

[@camelia9802]

I ❤ Sicily - lovely weather, food, cakes, ice cream, wines, architecture, history and friendly people.

[@crabtonia]

A double-helping of STRESS indeed...Mr Marsh in Iceland and Mr Manson in Sicily...a lie-down in a darkened room beckons, but, for now...thank you as usual...dgp/uk

[@berthuizing1785]

Travelling with Trenitalia is always easy, relatively cheap and just do-able.

[@rogertemple7193]

Great to see more of your travels in Italy from Palermo to Catania on the train as always I like seeing the beautiful countryside of Italy have a great trip and take care thanks.🇬🇧🚅🚝🚄🇮🇹

[@72lukey1]

Cheers Scott for sharing your adventures with us

[@vanessaschofield7927]

wow thankyou for sharing. sicily looks stunning scenery

[@jasongarufi8187]

Great video Scott, i used to live on the east coast of Sicily so the train trip from Messina to Catania brought back some memories.

[@RossWatt-o5d]

Scott n Steve show I love watching them brilliant work on both your channels 🎉🎉😊

[@mccuejonathan]

What a night for KZbin entertainment, Scott and Steve videos

[@dianewood15]

Another fab bonus video Great video Scott

[@LászlóSebestyén-d1q]

You found the best background for the intro...

[@dennismatthews6660]

Thank you for sharing the journey!

[@shelaghjackson9577]

I stayed near Palermo Centrale twice last year….felt quite safe!

[@kazzicup]

So beautiful the coastline and the sea. 🩵💙

[@hayesc1975]

I love Palermo Centrale, the palm trees are so cool! When I stayed in a B&B there it was reachable by Palermo's only tram line next door to Centrale Station.

[@amardizz821]

You made such a fuss, yet you arrived with plenty of time man.

[@mikkoylioja]

Great one 😄 I follow you, Steve and Johnny Hoover.

[@stephenhyland4256]

I travel by train in Italy regularly and have never experienced any last minute platform changes

[@susanashcroft2674]

My Wednesday just got better with two videos from Steve and Scott, now you are spoiling us! 😃😃

[@Fan652w]

I totally agree! But I think the scenery in Sicily was better than in Iceland. The weather certainly was!

[@luciobennetti]

I assume that the weird announcements for the train's destination are due to the fact that there is IC 730 from Palermo Centrale to Messina Centrale and then there is IC 724 from Messina Centrale to Roma Termini. It's the same train set, yet technically 2 different trains. It's possibly also the reason why they have to manually put the train on the departure board in Palermo as IC 730 would probably show Messina Centrale as the train's destination. Please note that this only is an educated guess.

[@barvdw]

The IC 724 is the train from Siracusa, to which the IC 730 from Palermo is coupled from Messina (or better, from Villa San Giovanni, as the parts are separated to get on the ferry 3 by 3.)

[@hbruins85]

No window seat really sucks…thank you for showing us how to deal with it. And happy to see you get a consolation on the train out of Messina!

[@tariklyacoubi8197]

No-window seat *

[@LauraSweeney]

Thanks for the video Scott - I really enjoy watching your content, it's always interesting and just gives me good vibes :D Please keep doing what you do!

[@ms-zy5wl]

I miss the "Could I live here" video from Palermo.

[@wendyblair8006]

Thanks

[@myrabenson1603]

Enjoyed your tour the scenery on the coastline very nice good way to see it on the train needed to be nimble footed to go from one platform to the right one 😊 thanks again for an enjoyable video 😊

[@christinehodge3608]

Good video ,thank you for sharing

[@horsehollerer]

Nothing wrong with doing a Steve Marsh and hanging our in the vestibule ... just don't forget to proclaim "I could live here!" Great video, cheers. 🤣

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

I have had a few holidays in Sicily. It is my favourite destination. You should visit Cefalu if you ever return.

[@Martycycleman]

Ar, cheers Scott, short and sweet but perfectly formed😊

[@johncross9433]

The single track section obviously was not in trouble. We were stuck for a while going to Palermo because of an accident on the line. Great views, and enjoyed the conversations with the Sicilians sitting nearby.

[@lucchese20]

Glad you made your connection in Messina. I would have made a stop in Taormina though even if it can be overrun by tourists during peak times.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

Really interesting video - the trick is not to stress to much in Sicily, things always work out eventually. PS Palermo and Messina stations - Centrale is pronounced ‘chen-trah-leh’.

[@alisterhoult4795]

Good Morning Scott, I enjoyed watching your KZbin video! Thank you for the video, Alister Ian Hoult, Carrying Place, Ontario, Canada.

[@Tatia146]

I had to laugh at your seat selection in the 1st class! Oh dear!

[@Salvatore74512]

What a picturesque scenery!

[@1923gino]

Hi Scott, I have done this journey many times as a child and as an adult, all IC trains from Palermo to Messina continue on to Rome and some to Turin. However once the train reaches Messina a train from Siracusa is attached to the train from Palermo on it`s onward journey to mainland Italy. Going the other way we would board the train at La Spezia which is approx one hour away from Genoa. Once you arrive at Messina the train is divided in two, one half goes to Palermo, and the other half goes to Syracuse via Catania. So you had to be careful which carriage you were in. the journey from La Spezia to Palermo would take approx 16 hours. I hope this helps a little with your confusion.

[@appleisthebest8433]

Brilliant!

[@stuartstonebridge2341]

Scott great video and scenery ,I saw a post on facebook with you and Blair on a SIA going to Australia but not seen anything on your post on the regards Stuart subscriber rom Dundee

[@suebt8794]

Stay safe Scott I worry for you x

[@teyemanon1970]

I travel VERY often by train in Italy on all types - RV, InterCity and Frecce. When choosing a seat, the layout shows where the seat is including which way it is facing and if it is blocked or has a window. Also platforms do change but the displays are always updated properly.

[@PaulMcGinnes1992]

Cheers for sharing these adventures with us, Scott. Another fantastic video. The way that you piece everything is top class mate. You're definitely one of the best people on KZbin, for sure. Being from Scotland, we're proud to have yourself and Steve representing us around the world!

[@danielchance2217]

Hey , scott. I'm really enjoying your videos, man.I found you through Steve Mars. Ty much. Tell steve to let me send him a package. 🙏

[@erikamayers6148]

always interesting!!!

[@alastairross9628]

Interesting windowless window seat😂 Very scenic rail journey❤

[@harriscouwenberg139]

why film the intro at the central rubbish tip Scott?

[@Vanosphere]

It's well known Sicily has rubbish everywhere.

[@davidwootton1470]

I know the destination of the next trip!! Cruised and stopped at Catania and we were the only cruise passengers doing the trip!! Hope you do a loo report.

[@ohheyitskevinc]

Great stuff Scott, and for editing and uploading these Italian trip videos while you’ve been away. Hope you and Blair are both recovered after your trip! Looked like a great time!

[@lesliegprice6652]

Did you bump into Inspector Moltebano ❓

[@ADAMEDWARDS17]

Hoping you are doing Catania to Malta by coach and high speed ferry next.

[@history_leisure]

It could be case where the train goes to Messina, then connects to a Rome train at some point

[@johnorrells3797]

Last time I was in Italy, which was years ago, I was near a bank when a what I assumed was the incoming or out going of money. No security van like in the UK. It was armoured personal carriers and the army!

[@stephenhyland4256]

@@johnorrells3797 that was the norm in Ireland also when the IRA were active. Usually a security van escorted by the army would deliver cash to banks.

[@shaunperth]

It’s normal in Italy for trains at main terminals to not show until 10-15 mins before departure. You are correct there was a big migration from Sicily to Australia.

[@yyyfffff33333]

Nice seeing Scott in a white T-shirt . Never understood why people wear dark colours in a hot country !

[@TheRedPolyhedral]

"Last-minute platform change"? That sounds suspiciously like changing trains at Ramsgate. The only clue you'll get there is that the platform number flashes on the general departure board. You should try it some time. Maybe London Charing Cross to Ramsgate, then Ramsgate to London Victoria.

[@quentinmunich9819]

The real "across Sicily" train goes from Palermo - Enna to Catania. But anyway the coastline ride is for sure more scenic. But I missed in your video the Etna!

[@maxart3392]

Currently the line "across Sicily" between Caltanisseta and Catania is being reconstructed, so no train can use it. Therefore there is no direct service between Palermo and Catania. And there's been way to much panic about missing the connection at Messina: if you miss the train, you take the next one, they are quite frequent there.

[@barvdw]

@@maxart3392 yes, the other way around, though... To Palermo, it's more like every 2-3 hours, if you miss that...

[@maxart3392]

@@barvdw Well, you're right, but 2-3 hours is not too bad, it's not like you'd have to wait until the day after. And with a 2-3 hour layover you can find a nearby restaurant and have a plate of "pasta alla norma" or "pesce spada alla griglia" (or both) and a shot of delicious Sicilian espresso until the next train comes.

[@barvdw]

@@maxart3392 I'll be honest, that may work for a tourist, unless they're on their way to an airport or ferry port. Or have a hotel booked where the reception closes at 8 pm, and it's already 5 or 6... Those ICs from the mainland aren't the most reliable, either, so you might be 'in luck' that that train is delayed as well, of course.

[@joannharrington2279]

I love this trip. Would love to do the Amafli coast across to Sicily by train. My grandparents immigrated to the US from Catania. Maybe plan for 2026.

[@charlo90952]

Looks like they're constructing a new cutoff direct line to Catania. Sicily has some very tortuous routes with spirals judging by the rail maps.

[@NMF1969]

Something I’d like to see on these videos are how much trains etc cost

[@gs3298]

Loved the train seat. I nearly choked when I seen it 😂

[@janetmumcu3547]

I had that on a BA flight the windowless, window seat😂

[@artd4374]

I took the same journey in Summer 2024. I didn't book, let alone pay a supplement for a seat. I simply found a spare window seat after catching the first train, after I obtained tickets from a machine at the station. Easy! There was nothing faint hearted about my trip. But it probably wouldn't make a good video.

[@trottiscliffe]

Interesting that trains run on the left.

[@johndeykin400]

Could you add a map graphic to these vids please? Hadn’t got a clue where you were or where you were supposed to be going. Thx

[@kudzumoose3861]

First, not a single cup of coffee this video, unless I missed something. And second, could you please include a map? I know little about the geography of much of Europe and I will google it, but it would nice to see your planned route. Thirdly, I love your videos. Keep up the good work, you are appreciated.

[@barvdw]

Roughly, the route was along the North coast of Sicily to Messina, then the East coast to Catania, between sea and Etna. In Messina, the train from Palermo combines with the train from Siracusa and Catania to continue to Rome, across the Strait of Messina to Villa San Giovanni by the last train ferry in Europe.

[@philipridgway2783]

Scott could it be that alot of Americans and Australians got off at Messina have anything to do with the landings in WW2.

[@leonardheiden]

Palermo and Catania are also connected directly (via Caltanissetta-Enna, central Sicily) by regional express trains, leaving every couple of hours. I guess there was no service when you travelled due to ongoing works to upgrade the line to semi-high-speed standards. About the confusion on the departure board and the destination, it's due to the fact that Rome to Sicily ICs are composed of two sections, splitting in Messina to Palermo and Catania-Siracusa respectively. Since our departure boards are kinda shit, they cannot show two destinations at a time, so trains may show on the screens as a Rome to Siracusa service, while the section to Palermo as an independent IC Messina-Palermo even though it left from Rome.

[@markwringe2826]

I'm guessing next video is Circumetnea.

[@ceriedwardsjones8206]

Messina was a WW2 battle involving the Americans, British and Canadians Maybe that's why they all got off the train. Not sure about the Australians

[@kludgie]

If you wanted to experience the sketchiest parts you should have headed down the coast from Syracuse to Pachino. The sinister atmosphere in that place at night rivals Mos Eisley spaceport!

[@denisbright3995]

Never had any problems with train travel in Sicily or Italy. Sicily is fortunate to have train connections to Rome via the Ferry at Messina. China might assist with the construction of a bridge to Calabria. The Sicilian railways are dying without these connections despite the presence of the through service from Palermo.

[@lucamartorana471]

You don't find any direct train to Catania because of the construction of the high speed rail across the line between both cities

[@mandyjackson6302]

I was touring Sicily recently and found the buses the better option. A real shame about the waste management system....the fly tipping in Catania was on a whole other level 😂😂

[@Dennypenny7-m9z]

Keep an eye on that nose in the sun, it looks cooked.

[@2xtreem4u]

Hello Scott !

[@denisbright3995]

Better than freeways and motorways in more car oriented societies: Castellmare del Golfo is worth a visit.

[@thomasedwards5700]

I'm presuming the Messina train connected with a ferry to the mainland then an onward train to Rome. Maybe that's why their were so many Americans amd Australians, they were all heading to Rome!

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

I had a train driver screaming at me in Sicily when I tried to take a photo of his train.

[@andymckay446]

You can slate all the UK train companies all you want, but at least you can be 99% confident what platform you are departing from well ahead of time.

[@peterrisbergs7156]

You're too restrained with your hand motions. Remember that you are in Italy.

[@barringtonw2]

Hi Ssott, great video, thanks. Did the Palermo train terminate at Messina or go on to Rome using the ferry over to Villa San Giovanni on the mainland via the Straits of Messina?

[@johncrwarner]

Trains in Italy are always chaotic and there are always extra charges at least in my experiences which have mostly been in the north of the country.

[@stephenhyland4256]

The extra charges are usually only on Intercity and high speed trains. Regional trains in Italy are dirt cheap and don't have any extra charges second class seating only

[@johncrwarner]

@@stephenhyland4256 I am sure you are right but when over a 50 year period have travelled in Italy by train - there have often been ticket inspectors saying there is a supplement / extra charges etc. It is likely a very unfair and biased sample but I always assume someone will want to charge me extra on a train in Italy.

[@jayonenote7527]

How long was the journey to Messina?

[@mcstarcapital9731]

NAS Sigonella

[@johncrwarner]

Are you going on the Ferrovia Circumetnea?

[@inzichte]

Been there ❤😂

[@yyyfffff33333]

Why do these KZbinrs give themselves such tight connections ? There’s loads of trains from messina to Catania !

[@angelah2083]

Shame about your window seat. Still, you are lucky you didn’t need to buy a ticket at Catania - I was there this very morning and the elderly gent in the ticket office was taking a good five minutes to serve each of the increasingly anxious customers (wandering about, peering at every coin before putting them into little piles) - I was only third in the queue and had arrived 20 minutes early but was still worried about missing the train. Generally they seem pretty efficient. Bit of a mystery - anyone know? - maybe he’s the local line controller’s dad.

[@etiawneb]

We tried to do trains in Sicily over the summer but Trapani was lacking a crucial component.....tracks!

[@quentinmunich9819]

Why? There are trains from Trapani to Palermo

[@etiawneb]

@quentinmunich9819 the station was there, the platforms were there, the tracks were not! Must have been a replacement bus service but definitely no trains out of Trapani station. Makes sense why I couldn't find any train from the airport to the centre either.

[@Lner1922]

@@etiawneb Spent a week in Sicily about 5 years ago. Apart from the Messina to Siracusa line and the Messina to Palermo line the frequency of train services is terrible. There are several other lines on the island but they are virtually unusable. Unbelieveable that Palermo - Catania still has no direct trains as they are 2 of the biggest cities on the island.

[@etiawneb]

@@Lner1922 A decent stretch between Palermo city and Palermo airport.

[@vitorn6496]

​@@Lner1922 Catania and Palermo are connected by train as well (the train stops in Caltanissetta and Enna as well) they are upgrading the line therefore there are not connections at the moment

[@bobcatcomms]

Can someone explain to me how a train from Sicily is going to Rome? 😮

[@Lubsoing2011]

They put the train on a ferry from Messina to Reggio Calabria

[@barvdw]

@@Lubsoing2011 to Villa San Giovanni, to be more exact. It's the last train ferry in Europe used by passenger trains. Frankly, I'm not totally sure why they need to do that, it's probably more efficient and faster to just have a station next to the ferry, have a walkbridge onto the ferry and the same at the other end, except maybe for the night trains where you can sleep a little longer when they put the entire train on the ferry. But it's handy to exchange trains from maintenance depots, and it's fun, so whatever, I guess.

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

probably not the reason for the Indians on your train, but I do remember Catania is one of the biggest centers for a certain Italian electronics company that has grown through mergers with a number much bigger Hi-Tech developers in Hyderabad, Malaysia & Tunis (do not remember which cities for the last two), making it a very interesting culturally-ethnic melting pot. a lot of people came to the office Italy from elsewhere either for permanent work, or for short term joint projects lasting a few months. funnily enough, it is also the biggest Hi-Tech company in Stornoway Scotland (and probably the only one to have a large office anywhere in the Hebrides) which is how I ended up knowing it.

[@yyyfffff33333]

I’m waiting for Steve and Scott in a choronary care unit after both have a heart attack !

[@norsecynn]

Ah, italien trains, always an adventure in themselves.

[@anthonyferris8912]

First thing that distracts me is all that litter on the grass behind you.

[@halitosis75]

Your backdrop at the beginning looks like the slums of Calcutta 😂😂