Sicily's two main airports
Palermo Falcone-Borsellino (PMO, at Punta Raisi) is the gateway to Palermo, Cefalù, Trapani and the islands off the west coast. Catania Fontanarossa (CTA) serves Etna, Taormina, Syracuse and the southeast. The two cities are 207 km apart (2 h 42 by road), and the train between them costs €17.20 and takes 2 h 57.
Pick the airport closest to where you want to start. A route that links both is on the Sicily itinerary page.
Palermo airport to the city
Bus, train and taxi, adult fares for 2026.
| Option | Fare | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus (Prestia e Comandè) | €6 single, €10 return; ages 3 to 12 pay €4, under 3 free; on board €6.50 single | 50 minutes to the central station | Every 30 minutes all year. Stops include Via Roma 289 (45 minutes) and Politeama (40 minutes). From the airport the first bus is at 5:05 am, the last at 1:05 am |
| Train to Palermo Centrale | €6.80 | 34 to 69 minutes | Several trains an hour. Last departure from Centrale at 10:12 pm, from the airport at 12:20 am; first from Centrale at 4:00 am |
| Taxi | €39 to €50 fixed fares are reported, by zone | About 51 minutes by road (35 km) | Reported fares include luggage for up to four people. Agree the fare before you get in |
By road, Palermo airport is 88 km (1 h 24) from Trapani and 107 km (1 h 45) from Cefalù. Tickets for the bus are sold at the Terminal Fazello and the airport, online and on board.
If your flight lands outside the bus and train hours, a taxi is the fallback. The first airport bus leaves at 5:05 am and the last at 1:05 am, and the last train from the airport leaves at 12:20 am.
Sicily tours and day trips
Tours from Palermo and Catania: Etna, the Valley of the Temples, boat trips and food tours, with live prices and availability.
Catania airport to the city
Bus, train and taxi, adult fares for 2026.
| Option | Fare | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alibus to the central station | €4, valid 90 minutes on all city bus lines | – | Every 25 minutes. First bus from the airport 4:40 am, last 12:30 am. Pay on board by cash or card, in the app or at AMT sales points |
| Train to Catania Centrale | €2.20; €3.60 with the shuttle included | 6 to 7 minutes | The station is about 600 m from the terminal. A shuttle (€1) runs every 10 minutes from 4:30 am to 10:40 pm, or walk |
| Taxi | – | 12 minutes by road (9 km) | White taxis wait at the arrivals exit. Agree the fare before you start |
Long-distance buses leave from the airport for Taormina, Syracuse, Noto, Ragusa, Agrigento and Palermo. Operators include Etna Trasporti, Interbus, AST, SAIS Trasporti, SAIS Autolinee and Circumetnea. Check the current timetable and fare with the operator.
Rail works until 12 December 2026. From 30 September, buses replace trains between the airport and Syracuse and between Catania and Caltagirone or Gela. The replacement bus from Catania Centrale to Syracuse takes about 2 h 03, a direct one 53 minutes. By road, Syracuse is 63 km (53 minutes) and Taormina 70 km (54 minutes) from the airport. Allow extra time.
Distances from the airports
By road, without traffic.
| Airport | Destination | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palermo | Palermo centre | 35 km | 51 minutes |
| Palermo | Trapani | 88 km | 1 h 24 |
| Palermo | Cefalù | 107 km | 1 h 45 |
| Palermo | Agrigento | 165 km | 2 h 58 |
| Catania | Catania centre | 9 km | 12 minutes |
| Catania | Syracuse | 63 km | 53 minutes |
| Catania | Taormina | 70 km | 54 minutes |
Car rental in Sicily
A car is the easiest way to reach the west, the southeast and the interior. Compare current rates and the insurance terms for your dates. These rules matter once you drive.
- Tolls. Only the A18 Messina to Catania and the A20 Messina to Palermo charge a toll. For a car, A20 Messina Nord to Buonfornello costs €10.40, Cefalù to Buonfornello €0.90 and A18 Taormina to Catania Nord €1.80. Since 8 September 2025 cards are accepted only at staffed booths. Tariffs rose 1.5 percent on 1 January 2026.
- Restricted traffic zones. Parts of Palermo's centre are closed to cars without a permit. In summer hours, valid until 31 October 2026, the zone applies Monday to Thursday from 8 am to 8 pm and Friday from 8 am to midnight. Fines of €81 to €164 are reported, and they go first to the hire company. Cefalù's old town is also restricted.
- Parking. At the Erice cable car, the lower station charges €5 for the first 3 hours. The Scala dei Turchi has five paid car parks, and the Zingaro south entrance has a car park near Scopello.
- Islands. In 2026 visitors' vehicles may not land on Lipari, Vulcano and Filicudi from 1 June to 30 September, or on Panarea and Stromboli from 1 May to 31 October. Plan to leave the car on the mainland.
Where you sleep affects the car too: see where to stay for parking and zone advice by region.
Plan the rest of your trip
Routes, tours and bases.
Where to stay
Palermo, the west, the southeast or the east: which base suits your trip.
Sicily itinerary
A route for 7 to 10 days with driving times between the main towns.
Tours compared
When a guided day trip beats driving, and what is included.
Things to do in Sicily
Fifteen experiences with 2026 prices and opening hours.
Sicily airports: frequently asked questions
Which airport should I fly into, Palermo or Catania?
Palermo for the west, Cefalù, Trapani and the islands off the west coast. Catania for Etna, Taormina, Syracuse and the southeast. Both have buses into town.
How do I get from Palermo airport to the city?
By bus for €6 in about 50 minutes, by train for €6.80 in 34 to 69 minutes, or by taxi. The bus runs every 30 minutes all year.
How do I get from Catania airport to the city?
The Alibus costs €4 and runs every 25 minutes from 4:40 am to 12:30 am. The train to Catania Centrale takes 6 to 7 minutes, but the station is about 600 m from the terminal.
Are trains running between Catania airport and Syracuse?
Not until 12 December 2026. Replacement buses run instead, so allow extra time.
Do I pay tolls in Sicily?
On the A18 Messina to Catania and the A20 Messina to Palermo, yes. Cards are accepted only at staffed booths.