Palermo airport to the city

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

Palermo's airport sits right on the coast at Punta Raisi, about 30–35 km west of the city centre along a scenic stretch of the Tyrrhenian shore. Getting into town is straightforward: a direct train, a comfortable coach, or a taxi, all covering broadly the same route into the historic centre.

The Trinacria Express train

The Trinacria Express is the rebranded rail link between Falcone e Borsellino Airport (the airport's full name, honouring the two anti-mafia judges) and Palermo Centrale, the city's main station. Trains run roughly every 30–45 minutes through the day, and the journey takes around 50 minutes, stopping at a handful of suburban stations including Palermo Notarbartolo, which is useful if your hotel is nearer the newer part of town than the historic core.

Fares are low compared to most European airport trains — this is one of the cheapest ways to reach any Italian city centre from its airport. Tickets are sold from machines and a counter in the arrivals area, and you should validate a paper ticket before boarding if you don't buy a mobile ticket. The train is a short walk from the terminal along a covered walkway, clearly signed.

The drawback is frequency and reliability outside peak hours: services can be sparser in the early morning and late evening, and it's worth checking the timetable against your flight before relying on the last train of the day.

The Prestia e Comandè airport bus

Prestia e Comandè has run the airport coach to Palermo for decades and remains the most flexible option for many travellers. Buses depart every 30–45 minutes from just outside arrivals and run to Piazza Politeama and on to Palermo Centrale station, with a few additional stops along the route through the newer part of the city.

The journey takes about 50 minutes in normal traffic, similar to the train, though it can run longer if the coastal road or the city approach is congested — which happens fairly often around rush hour. Fares are modest and only slightly higher than the train. Tickets can be bought on board or from the kiosk in arrivals, and the bus has the advantage of dropping closer to some central hotels than the station does.

For late-night arrivals, the bus generally runs later than the train, making it the more dependable choice if you're landing after most rail services have stopped for the day.

Taxi from Palermo airport

Taxis wait in a marked rank outside arrivals, and there is a fixed-rate fare to the city centre agreed with the local authority, which removes the uncertainty of a metered ride. The trip takes around 35–45 minutes depending on traffic and where in the centre you're headed. It's considerably more expensive than the train or bus, but worth it if you're arriving very late, travelling with a group who can split the cost, or simply want a door-to-door transfer after a long journey.

Ride-hailing apps have limited traction in Sicily compared to mainland Italian cities, so a licensed taxi from the rank is the most reliable way to get a car on demand.

Getting around once you're in the centre

Palermo's historic centre — the Quattro Canti, the Vucciria and Ballarò markets, the cathedral — is compact and best explored on foot once you've arrived. If your hotel is near Palermo Centrale, you're already within walking distance of much of it; from Piazza Politeama it's a similarly short walk into the old streets. Taxis and the city bus network cover the rest, though traffic in the centre can be heavy and slow.

Onward travel from Palermo

Palermo Centrale is also the starting point for rail journeys across Sicily. If you're continuing to the island's other main city, our guide to Catania to Palermo covers the cross-island options, and the route on to Palermo to Agrigento takes you to the Valley of the Temples. For travellers arriving from mainland Italy by sea rather than air, see Naples to Palermo, which covers the overnight ferry. Our wider guide to Italy by train puts Sicily's rail network in the context of the rest of the country, and Italy by train and ferry looks at combining the two along the length of the country and its islands.

Practical tips

• The airport's official name is Falcone e Borsellino, but locals and most signage also use Punta Raisi — both refer to the same place.
• Buy your train ticket before boarding if using a paper ticket; validate it at the machine on the platform.
• Keep small notes and coins handy for the bus and taxi if paying in cash, though card payment is now widely accepted.
• If you're heading straight on to another Sicilian town, Palermo Centrale has good onward connections, so the train from the airport is usually the most convenient first leg.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Palermo airport from the city centre?

Punta Raisi (Falcone e Borsellino) airport is about 30–35 km from central Palermo, along the coast road. The train and bus both take around 50 minutes; a taxi is a little quicker at 35–45 minutes depending on traffic.

Is the train or the bus better from Palermo airport?

Both take about the same time and cost roughly the same, low amount. The train runs into Palermo Centrale station; the bus additionally serves Piazza Politeama, which may be closer to some hotels. Choose based on where you're staying and the time of day, since the bus tends to run later into the evening.

Is there a fixed taxi fare from the airport?

Yes, licensed taxis operate on an agreed fixed rate to the city centre, which is displayed at the rank, so you know the cost upfront rather than relying on the meter.

Do ride-hailing apps work at Palermo airport?

Coverage is limited compared to mainland Italy. A licensed taxi from the official rank outside arrivals is the most reliable way to get a car without pre-booking.