Palermo/Ragusa (gro) The northwest and southeast of Sicily are getting closer. For this this time not a new expressway or another piece of highway, but – believe it or not – the good old Ferrovia dello Stato. The distance between Ragusa and Palermo, which after all measures almost 300 kilometers, has been covered in just four hours since the beginning of this week by new speedy trains. Previously, a train journey between the two cities took six to eight hours, with up to four changes.
Three new sprinty train pairs.
The new sprinty trains, there are three pairs of trains per day, have a pretty musical name: They re called “Minuetto” (“Minuet”). And one of the good things about them is that they are so-called “accelerated regional trains”. This means that they set a remarkable pace, but are very cheap in terms of price. For example, a Palermo-Ragusa ticket (one-way) costs only 15 to 17 euros, depending on the time of day.
In the center of Sicily, the train is changed.
Actually, the new service should have been launched in September. But some technical difficulties caused a – ultimately moderate – delay. However, it will not be possible to change trains completely. In the center of the mountainous island, in Caltanissetta Xirbi, one has to change trains. But the “minuet” train for the second half of the route is always ready there for the quick connection – either as a direct train to Palermo, or, if you came from there, to Ragusa in southeastern Sicily. Advantageous also that the “Minuetti” to Ragusa continue to Modica (and also start their journey in the opposite direction there).
Ideal for tourist trips.
The new direct connection is not only interesting for the locals, but also
for tourism. Guests of vacation villas and apartments in the province of Ragusa can thus easily make a side trip to the island metropolis. And vice versa, visitors who have prepared themselves mainly for the Arabo-Norman cultural treasures of Palermo, Monreale and Cefalù can also visit the magical world of Sicilian Baroque in the Val di Noto. In addition, the new fast connection (via the town of Vittoria) brings improved access to the new airport Comiso.