Getting Around Palermo
Palermo is a city where most interesting central sites can be reached on foot, making it relatively easy to explore the historic core. However, visitors will find several public transport options useful for covering longer distances or reaching attractions beyond the immediate city centre.
Walking
Walking is a practical way to discover Palermo's centre. Although the city is fair-sized, the main tourist attractions and historic areas are accessible on foot, allowing you to experience the street-level character of neighbourhoods and discover markets and sites at your own pace.
Public Transport: Buses and City Lines
Buses are the backbone of Palermo's public transport network. A 24-hour ticket costs €4 and covers unlimited travel on city buses during that period.
- Many bus routes run along Via Roma, one of the city's main thoroughfares
- The "Free Centro Storico" bus is specifically designed for tourists and covers all the main tourist areas in the old town
- Bus 109 connects the central train station to Piazzale Indipendenza
- Bus 806 serves Mondello, a popular beach destination outside the city
To plan your bus journeys, use the Moovit mobile app, which allows you to browse urban bus lines and plan trips across the city.
Metro and Tram
Palermo has an underground metro system as part of its public transport infrastructure, though the source material does not provide specific details about metro lines or stations for visitor navigation.
Bicycles and E-Scooters
A large number of bicycles and e-scooters are available for hire across the city through services including Lime and RideMovi. This offers a flexible option for short-to-medium distance travel, with prices varying by operator and rental duration.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Conventional taxi services operate throughout Palermo and are available at the airport. Ride-hailing services are also available, though the source material does not provide specific operator details or guidance on using them.
Getting from the Airport to the City
Palermo Airport (Falcone–Borsellino Airport) is located 32 kilometres west of the city at Punta Raisi. Several transport options connect the airport to central Palermo:
- Bus: Half-hourly shuttle buses (operated by Prestia e Comandè) run on the hour and half-hour. The journey to the city centre train station takes 50 minutes and costs €6.30 one way (€10 return if purchased online). At the airport, buy your ticket from the ticket office next to the bus; from the city centre, purchase your ticket from the driver.
- Train: Trenitalia operates regular service from Punta Raisi station, located in the airport terminal basement. Trains go to Palermo Centrale (the main train station) in just under an hour, costing €6.50.
- Taxi and car rental: Standard taxi services and car rental companies operate at the airport.
Arriving by Train
Palermo Centrale, the main railway station, is located at Piazza Giulio Cesare. The city is served by overnight trains from Rome, Naples and Milan. Trains from Milan and other northern cities use a train ferry to cross the Strait of Messina, making this a viable option for visitors arriving from mainland Italy.