Palermo, the capital of Sicily, is well connected by air, rail, and sea. Here is a summary of the main travel options.
By Plane – Falcone–Borsellino Airport (PMO)
Palermo Falcone–Borsellino Airport is located about 35 km west of the city. You can reach the city center by:
Train (Trinacria Express)
The airport train station (Punta Raisi) is located directly beneath the terminal. Trains to Palermo Centrale and Notarbartolo run every 30 minutes. Journey time ranges from 34 to 50 minutes. Tickets cost approximately €6.80.
Official site: Trenitalia
Bus (Prestia e Comandè)
Direct shuttle buses connect the airport to several city stops, including Palermo Centrale and Via Roma. Buses run every 30 minutes from 5:00 to 01:00. Journey time is about 50 minutes. One-way tickets cost €6.50; round trip €11.
Official site: Prestia e Comandè
Taxi or Private Transfer
Fixed fare to the city center is €45–50. Travel time is 40–50 minutes depending on traffic. Shared taxis (taxi collettivo) may be available at lower rates.
By plane – Vincenzo Florio Airport – Trapani (TPS)
Trapani Airport (Vincenzo Florio) is located about 120 km from Palermo. There is a regular bus service to Palermo operated by AST and Autoservizi Salemi. Travel time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
This airport may be a convenient alternative, especially for travelers from some European destinations.
By Train
Palermo Centrale is the city’s main railway station, located near the historic center. It is connected to major Italian cities including Rome, Naples, and Milan (via overnight trains), as well as to local and regional destinations.
Trenitalia offers direct intercity and regional services.
Official site: Trenitalia
By Ferry
Palermo is also accessible by sea. Ferries connect the city to Naples, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Genoa, and Salerno on the mainland, as well as to Tunis and Cagliari (seasonal).
Major ferry companies include:
By Car
Palermo is connected to the rest of Sicily via a network of highways:
- A29 from Trapani and the airport
- A19 from Catania
- SS121 / SS189 from Agrigento
Rental cars are available at the airport and main railway station. Parking in central Palermo can be limited, so it is advisable to check for garages or accommodation with private parking.
Public Transport in Palermo
Palermo’s public transport network is managed by AMAT and includes urban buses, tram lines, and a light suburban metro operated by Trenitalia. These services offer access to the city center, university venues, and surrounding areas.
PalerMobilità app
To navigate the public transport system efficiently, download the PalerMobilità app from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. It offers:
- Real-time location of buses and trams
- Timetables and route maps
- Trip planning tools
- Updates on traffic, ZTL (restricted zones), and parking