How to get from Palermo Airport to the city centre (bus, train, taxi and more)

Honestly, once I’d bought the tickets to Palermo and started looking into how to get to the city centre, I began wondering what mess I’d got myself into. An airport named “Falcone-Borsellino” in honour of the two judges assassinated by the mafia in 1992 — great start. And it’s located at Punta Raisi, 35 km west of the city… not exactly sounding simple.

And yet! It’s actually quite well connected. There’s the direct bus, the train, the taxi, and even car hire if you want to dive straight into a Sicilian road trip (which I’d strongly recommend — we’ll talk about that another time, just make sure you get insurance, it’s Sicily). Let’s run through everything: prices, timetables, tips and traps to avoid.

Getting from Palermo Airport to the city centre by BUS (Prestia e Comandè) — the practical, affordable option

It’s the most popular option and honestly it works very well.

The company Prestia e Comandè has been running services between Falcone-Borsellino airport and Palermo city centre since… 1946. Yes, 1946. They launched the city’s first airport shuttles and have been running them ever since. The route serves around ten stops in the city, the most useful being:

• Via Belgio (northern district, close to residential hotels)
• Via Libertà (the main north-centre axis — note: route modified since July 2025 due to the temporary closure of the preferential lane; check current stops on their website)
• Piazza Politeama (Teatro Politeama Garibaldi, very central)
• Via Roma (in front of La Rinascente, right in the centre)
• Piazza Giulio Cesare (in front of the Central Station, terminus)

Key info:

• Price: €6 one way
• Duration: 50 minutes (official time displayed by Prestia e Comandè)
• Timetable from the airport: from 5:05 am to 1:05 am every day, including public holidays
• Frequency: every 30 minutes

Ticket options:

• Ticket office at the airport (open 7:30 am to 11:00 pm)
• In advance on GetYourGuide to skip the airport queue (and get the cheapest price)
• The Prestia e Comandè app (iOS and Android)
• On board (for the last services after 11:00 pm)
• Authorised resellers in the city centre (be very careful who you buy from — online is safer)

One thing to note: since July 2025, the city route is slightly altered due to roadworks on Via Libertà. This doesn’t affect the price or overall journey time, but check your stop on the official website if you’re not getting off at the Central Station.

Taking the TRAIN (Trinacria Express) to the city centre — a very straightforward option!

An affordable option, with a few important things to know before choosing it.

The Trinacria Express is actually Line A of Palermo’s regional metro (Metropolitana di Palermo), operated by Trenitalia, with the airport as its terminus. It’s not a dedicated express shuttle — it’s a regional train that serves around fifteen stops between the Central Station and the airport. If you search for it on Trainline or Trenitalia, it comes up as a standard regional train: no reservation needed, just buy a ticket at the machines or on the Trenitalia website.

The station is in the basement of the terminal, directly accessible from the arrivals hall. Take the escalators down and you’re in the station — very convenient.

Main stops: Piraineto, Francia, Notarbartolo (useful if your hotel is in the north of the city), Orléans, Vespri, then Palermo Centrale.

Key info:

• Price: €6.80
• Duration: between 45 minutes and 1h05 depending on stops served
• Timetable from the airport: first departure around 5:54 am, last around 10:10 pm
• Frequency: roughly every 30 minutes on weekdays, reduced at weekends and on public holidays
• Tickets: at the airport station machines, ticket windows, on trenitalia.com or Trainline — no seat reservation needed

The main advantage remains the same: no traffic jams, whatever the time or season. A real plus in Palermo in summer. The train is comfortable and has luggage space — though less ideal for very large suitcases.

Limitations to bear in mind: the journey can exceed an hour with multiple stops, frequency drops significantly at weekends, and services stop around 10:00 pm — after which you’ll need to switch to the Prestia e Comandè bus (until 1:05 am) or a taxi.

Also, give yourself plenty of time if you’re heading back to the airport. Our train left and arrived on time (on the return leg we came from Cefalù with a change at Palermo Centrale), but the train just before ours was over an hour late. So build in extra time — Palermo airport is notoriously chaotic.

Taking a TAXI or Uber from Palermo Airport — watch out for scams

Same story as in Budapest: I have a complicated relationship with taxis abroad. Palermo is no exception, and forums are full of accounts of overcharged fares.

We took taxis 4 or 5 times (official ones, obviously) for short and long journeys, going directly or through official apps, and we never paid the right price — the estimated price. Every single time there was an issue. A cancelled ride when they came to pick us up, a zone change when that wasn’t the case… in short, it’s a scam. Even using AppTaxi or Freenow, the two main taxi platforms.

What you need to know in practice:

Official taxis are easy to spot: white cars with a yellow-and-red stripe and a “TAXI” sign on the roof. They park right outside the arrivals exit. The fare to the city centre runs around €45 to €60 depending on your destination district, with possible surcharges at night. That’s per car, not per person, so for two or three people it’s still reasonable. You should ABSOLUTELY confirm the price before getting in. It’s more expensive at night, as far as I know.

Uber is available in Palermo, but note: unlike in other Italian cities, fares aren’t particularly lower than a regular taxi. In Palermo, Uber operates with licensed taxis and follows the same rate structure. The advantage is still having the price shown upfront in the app. But you’ll only get Uber Black — the premium tier, which costs considerably more than a regular taxi.
In the Uber app you can book a taxi, but the price is an estimate, so you’re still exposed to “adjustments” if I can call them that.

My advice if you take a regular taxi: make sure the meter is running when you set off. And if you’re travelling with family or lots of luggage and want to avoid any stress on arrival, pre-booked fixed-price private transfers are a good option.

• Official taxi: €45–60 to the centre
• Uber: available, higher prices
• Fixed-price private transfer: €60 by day, €70 at night — zero nasty surprises

Book a private shuttle — comfort and peace of mind with no risk of being ripped off

Seriously, if you want to take a private car into the city, I’d recommend booking a driver rather than taking a taxi (see my less-than-pleasant taxi experience in Palermo).

A car waits for you, the driver is in the terminal holding a sign with your name, and takes you in a non-shared vehicle (usually a comfortable minivan) straight to your accommodation. It’s convenient, comfortable, and above all the price is set in advance! It runs between €60 and €80 depending on your provider and the time (there’s a night surcharge) — slightly more than a taxi, but no nasty surprises.

I tried it myself: the hotel had arranged a private transfer at €60 fixed price (€70 at night). On the higher end, but you know exactly what you’re paying before you arrive, the driver waits with your name, and after a tiring flight it’s genuinely appreciated.

• Find out how to book your driver to/from the airport

Car hire from Palermo Airport

If Palermo is just a stop on a larger Sicilian road trip — which I genuinely recommend — you might as well pick up the car straight at the airport. All the major agencies have desks in the arrivals hall: Sixt, Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sicily by Car, Enterprise…

Prices start from around €17/day with free cancellation depending on the period. The A29 motorway connects the airport directly (exit “Aeroporto Falcone e Borsellino”) to Palermo city centre — it’s simple and well signposted. Allow 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.

From the airport, Sicily opens up easily: Cefalù (1 hr), Mondello (30 min), Monreale (50 min), Trapani (1h20), Agrigento (1h45). It really is the perfect island for a road trip.

One thing to note: if you’re dropping the car off somewhere different (Catania, for example, for a loop of the island), let the agency know at the time of booking. One-way fees can be high if it’s not included in the contract.

As for precautions when hiring a car, I’d strongly advise keeping the following in mind:

• Compare prices! Absolutely — compare comparison sites if you can. Stick to the most transparent ones. My personal go-to is Discover Cars. The information, options, prices and reviews are all clear.
• Check agency reviews — look at what other users say, it tells you what to expect.
• In Sicily, driving is a bit… different (let’s just say the highway code is treated as optional). Absolutely get insurance. Even if you drive perfectly, some of the behaviour out there is genuinely dangerous (braking, tailgating, overtaking on the right…). Hire isn’t expensive here, so insurance won’t blow your budget.

FAQ: Practical answers for your arrival at Palermo Airport

Where is the Prestia e Comandè bus stop at the airport?

It’s very straightforward: once you’ve collected your luggage, head into the arrivals hall and turn immediately to your right. Walk a few metres towards the outdoor exit. The bus shuttles are parked right there — you can’t miss them.

Where do you buy train or bus tickets at Punta Raisi Airport?

• For the bus: You can buy your ticket directly at the desk inside the terminal (open 7:30 am to 11:00 pm), or online in advance to avoid the queue. The driver also sells tickets after 11:00 pm.
• For the train: The station is in the basement, where you’ll find Trenitalia ticket machines on the platform and in the station hall. You can pay by card or cash.

How do you get to Palermo city centre if your flight arrives late at night?

If your plane lands after 10:10 pm, forget the train (the last Trinacria Express leaves at 10:10 pm). Your best budget option is the Prestia e Comandè bus, with its last service at 1:05 am. After that, you’ll have to take an official taxi or a pre-booked private transfer.

Can you pay for transport by card in Palermo?

At official ticket desks and station machines: yes, no problem. However, if you need to buy a bus ticket on board from the driver after 11:00 pm, or if you take a regular taxi, always have cash on you. Card reader “breakdowns” are something of a local specialty in Sicily when it comes to paying for individual journeys.

Which is the best station to get off at for the city centre?

If your accommodation is in the heart of the historic centre, the terminus is your best bet: get off at Palermo Centrale (Piazza Giulio Cesare). Both the train and the bus stop here, and you’ll be well connected to the urban bus network and within walking distance of the Centro Storico neighbourhoods.

Quick summary:

• Cheapest: the Prestia e Comandè bus (€6)
• Most flexible at night: the Prestia e Comandè bus (until 1:05 am) and the private driver
• No traffic guaranteed: the train (€6.80)
• Most comfortable: private transfer (€60–80)
• To continue straight into Sicily: car hire directly at the airport

Personally, if I’m not carrying too much luggage (subliminal message to my wife in case she’s reading this) and I’m not arriving late, I’ll take the train without hesitation. The station is right inside the terminal, Palermo Centrale is brilliantly located, there’s no chance of being stuck in traffic, and 30 cents more than the bus for all that peace of mind — well worth it. If you have more luggage, or if the bus drops you close to your accommodation, go for that instead.

And if you’re arriving late, take the private driver. It’s barely more expensive than a taxi (if you even find a taxi that respects the set price).

In an upcoming article, I’ll tell you about the absolute must-sees in Palermo — the Palatine Chapel, the Vucciria market, the Arab-Norman palaces… there’s so much to explore! And quite a few articles about this amazing city are in the pipeline 🙂