Transportation
Getting around Palermo

From the airport: The simplest transportation is by bus. Buses depart every 30 minutes. The fare to Palermo is €5.30. From the city of Palermo, the Prestia Comandé airport buses depart from Via Balsamo off the main train station square, with a stop at Politeama (for buses en route to the airport the stop is indicated by a sign at the corner of Via Libertà in front of Benetton near the Politeama Palace Hotel); presently (May 2008) there are departures for the airport from Politreama from 4:15 AM to 11:15 PM. The bus company's phone numbers are 091 586 351 and 091 580 457. Travel time averages 35 minutes. A train (the "Trinacria Express") serves the route between the Palermo airport and the main railway station, departing every hour or so, but travel time can be ridiculously long, sometimes over 60 minutes; a ticket costs six euros. (Taxis are not recommended as you'll probably be grossly overcharged, paying at least 50 euros for the ride into the city, and even higher rates after 8 PM. If you must use one, negotiate the fare with the driver in advance, never en route or at the journey's end.)

In the city: A ticket for the orange buses (operated by AMAT), available from tobacco vendors, some bars and some news agents (or the AMAT kiosk in Via Libertà next to Politeama), costs €1.10 (one euro ten cents) and is valid for 90 (ninety) minutes. You must stamp the ticket in one of the machines near the entrances of the vehicle upon boarding the first bus you take using that ticket. (There is a fine of €52 for failure to comply.) A simple summary of a few local bus routes (by number):

For more information, including maps and bus routes, visit the AMAT website.

Sightseeing: City Sightseeing operates double-deck tour buses along two routes in the old part of the city. A one-day ticket peermits you to hop on or off the bus at any designated stop. Visit their website for details, rates and a brochure in PDF format. While this isn't the same thing as having a qualified licensed tour guide, it's convenient if you're touring on your own on foot.

Automobile Rental: Agencies are located on the airport's lower level. Be warned that driving in Palermo's chaos can be challenging.

Ships, Ferries, Hydrofoils: Tirrenia is the principal operator servicing Sicily, with daily departures to Lipari, Naples, Genoa, Tunis and Sardinia. Snav has faster ships and a fleet of hydrofoils (service is seasonal). Or try Siremar. For travel to Malta, check out Virtu Ferries.

Trains: The national railway, Trenitalia, provides service to Palermo from other cities.

Airlines: Here are a few that fly into Palermo or Catania (Italics indicate those requiring connections from Milan or Rome):

Virgin Express 848 390 109. virgin-express.com

While every attempt has been made to obtain current and accurate information, we can accept no responsibility whatsoever for errors or omissions, or for any expenses incurred in dialling.

Print this page