You can also opt for a cable car operated by Funivia Dell'Etna followed by a bus ride to reach the upper crater area of the volcano. The south area with cable car access, Rifugio Sapienza ...

and you can do it yourself from the hut (or the first cable car station) to the 1.74-mile mark, but you can only go higher than that with a guide. What To Bring And Tours You Can Take On Mt. Etna ...