Syracuse from Messina in a day-doable? How long a drive

[stipmom]

and how much time can you spend there? We dock at 8 and sail at 5

[6rugrats]

You know, you can do a simple google search and find out distance and driving time. If you don't want to read a guidebook, you can go to the appropriate forum on Tripadvisor.com. and it lists the attractions for cities.

[stipmom]

A google search of distance/time is not as good as the experience of people who actually left from the dock.

Also, cruise visitors have time constraints that the guidebooks/tripadvisor do not take into account. That is why I posted the question here.

[6rugrats]

A google search of distance/time is not as good as the experience of people who actually left from the dock.

Also, cruise visitors have time constraints that the guidebooks/tripadvisor do not take into account. That is why I posted the question here.

 

None of that matters. You can ask 20 different people how long it took them, and get 20 different answers. As the one traveling, you have to take your time constraints into account when planning.

 

It's like your question, "How much time can you spend there?" You are the only one who knows that. Research will give you the information you need to find your own answers.

Edited May 2, 2014 by 6rugrats

[LovesSicily]

Our experience with this drive is from years of land vacations based in Taormina rather than from a cruise.

 

Allowing for time getting off the ship in Messina, picking up your rental car and getting out of Messina, allow at least 2 to 2 1/2 hours to get to Siracusa. The newer portion the Autostrada has been completed and has cut the drive time. But, these things always take longer than planned for, especially if it's your first time driving in Sicily.

 

What is it you want to see in Siracusa? Ortygia, the Archaeological Park?

[numbersix]

Unless you've been to Messina before and have exhausted its possibilities...why go to Syracuse anyway?

 

I would think Messina itself, and possibly Taormina (approx. 40 mins drive from Messina) & Castelmola could make for a fantastic day? 4 hours driving in a max 7 hour day (1/2 min to get off ship and get car + all aboard min 1/2 hour before sailing) seems like a lot, unless there's family, or (seeing as though we're in Italy) particularly good gelato in Syracuse:).

 

We had a great day out of Catania in December, doing the "Godfather tour" with Sicily with Mario.