I do recommend you travel first class on any trip of over an hour. A variety of tickets offering travel at a reduced rate are available. There are also local trains which run from Palermo to Agrigento and Catania. On Sardinia, several daily trains run from Cagliari to Porto Torres and Olbia. Tolls are charged at varying distances and scales, except for the Salerno Reggio Calabria, Palermo Catania and Palermo Mazara Del Vallo stretches which are toll-free.
Secondary roads are also excellent and require no tolls.
Road signs are international. Many gas stations are closed 1200-1500. Visitors are advised to check locally about exact opening times. Traffic drives on the right. Be sure to put on your headlights when passing through tunnels.