Getting to Modica in short
Catania has the nearest big airport, and Syracuse and Ragusa lie on the same rail corridor as Modica. You can reach the town by bus or train without a car, but in 2026 the line between Syracuse and Modica works differently from older guides. Some trains are replaced by buses, which changes the journey time.
Inside the town, a city bus links the upper and lower parts, and many of the sights are within walking distance of each other. Expect stairs. If you do drive, read the section on parking and restricted zones first.
Routes at a glance
Published connections for 2026. These are individual services, not a full timetable, so check the current timetable before you go.
| From | How | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catania Airport | AST bus | – | AST is listed for Modica and Scicli in the airport service guide of 2025 |
| Syracuse to Modica | Train R 12916 with replacement bus PA166 | 3 h 5 min | Syracuse 09:25, Scicli 11:52, Modica 12:30 |
| Modica to Syracuse | Replacement bus PA161 | 3 h 5 min | Modica 08:18, Scicli 08:56, Syracuse 11:23 |
| Ragusa to Modica | Train R 12929 | 26 min | Ragusa 07:34, Modica 08:00, then a replacement bus on towards Syracuse |
Day trips and transfers from Modica
Guided baroque day trips from Catania and Syracuse, plus private tours of Modica and Ragusa Ibla, with live prices and availability.
From Catania Airport
Catania Airport, also called Fontanarossa, is the usual gateway. The airport's 2025 service guide lists the bus operator AST for the routes to Modica and Scicli. It lists a different operator, Interbus, for Syracuse, Avola and Noto, so do not assume a direct Interbus bus to Modica. Etna Trasporti is listed for Ragusa.
The airport guide also describes the Fontanarossa railway station and a shuttle to it from outside the arrivals hall. That does not give you a direct train from the airport to Modica. Ask AST or the airport information desk for the current timetable, journey time and fare, as these change by season. An older AST timetable that circulates online dates from 2020 and is out of date.
From Syracuse and Ragusa by rail
Since 15 June 2026 Trenitalia has published replacement buses for some trains between Syracuse and Modica. The published notice has no end date and is not a full timetable. Do not assume that every service runs every day, or that the whole line is closed.
The replacement buses stop in Modica at Viale Medaglie d'Oro 49/59, not at the station forecourt. In Scicli they usually stop in front of the station. There are different stops in Noto, Pozzallo and Sampieri, and Fontane Bianche is not served. The run from Syracuse takes 3 hours 5 minutes on the published example. Leave a buffer if you have a flight to catch.
From Ragusa, the published train R 12929 leaves at 07:34 and reaches Modica at 08:00. A railway station with Ibla in its name is no proof that a passenger train stops near the cathedral today. For the last stretch, ask locally which bus runs to the Giardino Ibleo. See the Ragusa Ibla guide.
City buses in Modica
The city bus is run by SAIS Autolinee. A single ticket costs €1.20 and a 90-minute ticket €1.50. The coastal line to Marina di Modica costs €2.50 per trip, and neither the single nor the 90-minute ticket is valid on it. A day pass costs €5 and is valid on all city lines until midnight on the day you validate it. It is not valid for 24 hours.
You can buy tickets on the website, in the app or at authorised sales points. Validate your ticket when you board. Line numbers and the last return from Alta to Bassa depend on the day, so check the current timetable.
Driving, parking and restricted zones
Car access to the centre is regulated, but the rules and fees are not clearly published online. Check the posted fees and hours at each car park before you leave your car. Do not assume that being a hotel guest lets you enter a restricted zone. Ask your hotel before you arrive how to reach it and where to park.
For binding rules, the municipal police can be reached at +39 0932 759211. A multi-storey car park on Viale Medaglie d'Oro has been only partly in use in 2026, so do not rely on it as a guaranteed option.
If you plan a day trip, note that the municipality of Ragusa has closed the road from S. Antonio to Stazione Ibla to traffic until 30 October 2026, 8 pm. The closure applies to that road, not to the whole of Ibla.
After you arrive
Where to go next.
Things to do in Modica
Ten experiences from the two main churches to the chocolate museum.
Where to stay in Modica
Upper or lower town, and what to check about stairs and parking.
Scicli
A baroque street and museum tickets, on the same line as Modica.
Noto, another baroque town, is covered in the Sicily guide.
Getting to Modica: frequently asked questions
Is there an airport in Modica?
No. The nearest large airport is Catania. From there you continue by bus or train, or by car.
Can I get from Catania Airport to Modica by bus?
AST is listed for the route to Modica in the airport's 2025 service guide. Ask for the current timetable and fare before you plan, as they change by season.
Does the train run from Syracuse to Modica in 2026?
Some trains are replaced by buses since 15 June 2026. The published example run takes 3 hours 5 minutes. Check the current timetable on the day.
Where does the replacement bus stop in Modica?
At Viale Medaglie d'Oro 49/59, not at the station forecourt.
How much is the city bus?
A single ticket costs €1.20, a 90-minute ticket €1.50 and a day pass €5. The Marina di Modica line costs €2.50 per trip.
Can I drive into the centre?
Access is regulated and the rules are not clearly published online. Ask your hotel before you arrive, or call the municipal police on +39 0932 759211.