Catania Metro

The Catania Metro, or Metropolitana di Catania, is the rapid transit system serving Catania in Sicily, southern Italy. It opened on 27 June 1999, is operated by Ferrovia Circumetnea, and remains the only metro system in Sicily as well as the southernmost metro in Europe. Built in part along a former railway corridor between Borgo and Porto, it is a key part of city transport in Catania and works alongside local transport such as bus and regional rail services.

Metro map of Catania

Map of Catania Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Catania Metro map in PDF format.

Lines and Stations

Catania Metro works as a single-line system. The current route includes stations in service, former stops that are closed, and several stations under construction as part of the network expansion. If you are checking the stations map or stations list, this is the core layout of the system today.

The line is also shown with future expansion toward Paternò, while a planned route from Stesicoro is intended to extend the system toward the airport. Beyond the metro itself, materials also indicate onward trains to Giarre and Riposto. FS was closed in 1993, and Porto has been temporarily closed since 2016.

Fares

Catania Metro uses a time-based fare system. A single ticket costs €1 (about $1.08) and is valid for 90 minutes. If you need both metro and bus travel, the AMT + metro integrated ticket costs €1.20 (about $1.30) and is valid for 120 minutes. A daily ticket is also available for €2 (about $2.16).

These options make the system practical for short trips as well as longer days using public transport around the city. The available information does not mention a fare calculator, card, or day pass beyond the daily ticket listed here.

Schedule

The Catania Metro schedule runs from Monday to Saturday. The system is closed on Sundays and public holidays. For regular operating hours, the starting time is 6:40 am from Nesima and 7:00 am from Stesicoro.

If you are checking timings today, opening times, or the train schedule for a specific trip, keep in mind that service may be extended or adjusted for extraordinary events. On a standard day, though, the timetable is straightforward: frequent trains in the morning and early afternoon, then a slightly lower frequency later on.

The route timetable covers the line between Nesima and Stesicoro, serving Nesima, San Nullo, Cibali, Milo, Borgo, Giuffrida, Italia, Galatea, Giovanni XXIII, and Stesicoro.

Connections

The metro has several useful connections with other transport services in Catania. At Borgo, passengers can transfer to the Circumetnea railway, which serves towns around Mount Etna. Milo offers an interchange with the Metro Shuttle.

Giovanni XXIII is the main rail connection point, linking the metro with Catania Centrale. That makes it especially useful for anyone combining the metro with regional train travel. FS is closed, and Porto is also closed at present.

The system is also tied into the city bus network. The integrated AMT + metro ticket can be used for combined travel with urban transport, and the 504 M shuttle links the historic centre with Stesicoro.

• Borgo: connection with the Circumetnea railway
• Milo: interchange with Metro Shuttle
• Giovanni XXIII: connection with Catania Centrale
• Stesicoro: access to the city centre and the future airport extension

Connection to the airport

Catania Metro does not yet reach Catania-Fontanarossa Airport directly. For now, airport access works best by combining the metro or train with a shuttle or bus, so this part of transportation in Catania still depends on mixed public transport options.

For rail travel, the airport is served through Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa station, about 600 metres or 0.6 kilometres (0.37 miles) from the terminal. From there, an AMTS shuttle takes passengers to the airport terminal. Train tickets can be bought together with the shuttle on Trenitalia sales channels by choosing Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa bus as the destination or origin.

From Catania Centrale, there are frequent regional train connections to the airport station, along with additional direct services from places including Messina, Syracuse, Caltanissetta, Enna, Caltagirone, and Taormina. If you are already using the metro, Catania Centrale is the most practical interchange.

• Train to Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa, then shuttle to the terminal
• Metro or train to Catania Centrale, then continue by airport bus or rail connection
• Future metro extension from the current system toward the airport

The planned airport route remains part of the wider expansion project from Stesicoro, with San Domenico, Vittorio Emanuele, and Palestro listed among the future stations.

Rules

The Catania Metro is a single-line system and tickets can be bought from machines at stations. A standard single ticket costs €1 (about $1.08) and is valid for 90 minutes. The metro does not run 24 hours a day, so always check working hours, closing time, and the last train before you travel.

Service runs from Monday to Saturday, generally from around 6:40 am to about 9:00 pm, with later timings on Saturday night. Trains usually run every 10 minutes, and a full route takes about 14 minutes.

Restrictions

• Smoking is prohibited in metro facilities.
• Begging is not allowed in stations or on trains.
• Do not disturb or distract metro staff.
• It is forbidden to occupy more than one seat.
• Emergency equipment must be used only in real emergencies.
• Do not throw litter on the tracks.
• Leaflets and advertising cannot be distributed without prior authorisation.
• Assaulting other passengers is strictly forbidden.
• Use headphones if you listen to music.
• Dangerous or hazardous materials are not allowed.
• Proper footwear is required in stations.
• Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in metro facilities.
• Passengers must not enter areas reserved for Metropolitana di Catania staff.
• Small pets are allowed only if kept on a lead.
• Bicycles are allowed with a valid ticket on weekdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and after 3:00 pm; on Saturdays they are allowed all day.
• Children under six travel free when accompanied by a guardian and sitting on the guardian’s lap.

Tips

If you want to get around Catania smoothly, it helps to combine the metro with bus, shuttle, and rail services. Stesicoro is the most convenient stop for the historic centre, while Giovanni XXIII is the key station for rail connections.

• Check the timetable and schedule today before heading out, especially if you need the last train.
• A single metro ticket costs €1 (about $1.08), the AMT + metro ticket costs €1.20 (about $1.30), and the daily ticket costs €2 (about $2.16).
• Take care when boarding because there is a gap between the platform and the train.
• Stand clear of the doors so passengers can leave first.
• Do not board or get off once the doors start to close.
• Move closer to the doors as your station approaches.
• Avoid leaning against the train doors.
• The Alibus from Giovanni XXIII runs every 20 to 30 minutes and takes about 25 minutes to the airport. The fare is €4 (about $4.32).
• The 504 M shuttle departs every 10 minutes from the R1 car park in Via Plebiscito and is useful for reaching the historic centre.

History

The Catania Metro opened on 27 June 1999 between Borgo and Porto. Its first section used the route of the former Ferrovia Circumetnea narrow-gauge railway, which had opened in 1895.

To create the metro system, this part of the line was converted to standard gauge and mostly moved underground in a cut-and-cover tunnel. Near the coast, however, the route stayed on the surface and operated as a single-track section. The original Circumetnea terminus at Catania Porto was therefore moved to Borgo.

Both the metro and the Circumetnea railway are operated by the same company, which has its offices at Catania Borgo. In its early years, ridership was low because the route largely missed the city centre and several major destinations. That changed with new underground stations opened in 2016, followed by further extensions in 2017 and 2024, which improved access and made the system more useful for everyday transport.

Future expansions

The Catania Metro expansion plan includes several projects that would extend the network well beyond its current route. One approved project would branch west from Galatea through the city centre and continue south toward Catania-Fontanarossa Airport.

Recent development has already pushed the system forward in stages. The Borgo-Nesima section opened in 2017, and the Nesima-Monte Po extension followed in 2024, improving access to the western part of the city.

Another major project is the extension from Monte Po toward Paternò. According to the available information, this section is under construction and is planned to open in 2027. The future stations listed for this route are Paternò Centrale, Paternò, Giaconia, Valcorrente, Belpasso, Gulotta, Misterbianco Centro, and Misterbianco Industrial Zone.

Long-term plans also point to further southern and western growth, including links toward the airport, Misterbianco, and Paternò.

Nearby attractions

The standout attraction near the Catania Metro is the Roman Amphitheatre of Catania, within walking distance of Stesicoro station. For many visitors, this is the most useful stop on the route.

Stesicoro is also part of the Museo diffuso Della Città di Catania project, and the station includes references to the Roman site. Passengers can see graphic representations of the amphitheatre and read about its history, with plans mentioned for replicas of archaeological finds and LED screens showing virtual reconstructions.

If you are using the metro to explore the city, Stesicoro is the best station for the historic centre and for one of Catania’s best-known attractions.