Gate-side basics near Terminal A security
Just past security in Terminal A, Relay is the standard grab-and-go spot for last‑minute travel essentials before boarding at CTA. It sits in the main departures area that feeds most A gates, so you can see your gate screens while you shop. This is the place for a quick in-and-out stop, not a long browse.
Relay in Terminal A focuses on core items: phone chargers and cables starting around €15, universal plug adapters, neck pillows, eye masks, and small padlocks that work with most cabin bags. You’ll also find basic stationery, pens, and a few travel-sized toys to keep kids busy on short hops to Rome or Milan.
For reading material, the A-terminal Relay usually stocks Italian newspapers like La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, plus a handful of English-language titles and pocket paperbacks. Expect some Sicily-focused guidebooks and maps, handy if you’re landing here and realize you forgot to plan. Prices track typical airport markups, but not wildly higher than what you’d see in central Catania.
Snacks and drinks skew toward shelf-stable: candy bars, crisps, bottled water, and soft drinks in the €2–€4 range. You’ll see a few packaged Sicilian items like pistachio sweets or almond cookies, but this is not a full-on gourmet shop. Don’t count on finding fresh sandwiches here; head to a nearby café in Terminal A if you need real food.
Tip: stop at Relay right after security in Terminal A so you can grab a charger or adapter before you walk down to distant gates and lose time backtracking.