Bus transportation from Taormina to palermo

Flixbus runs directly between Giardini-Naxos (Terminal bus Recanati) and Palermo.

SAIS Autolinee runs directly to Palermo from Catania or Messina (not from Taormina).

To add to the previous comment: Flixbus gets high marks from me. Their website and app are very good. When you buy tickets it will show exact pickup/route/dropoff locations on a map. I would go ahead and order tickets online for peace of mind.

Buy a train ticket from Taormina-Giardini to Palermo Centrale. You will need to change trains at Messina Centrale.

​Hi Kathi,
​I'm based in Taormina and I see this confusion quite often! Your husband is right to be a bit puzzled because there isn't a direct public bus that leaves from Taormina town center to Palermo.
​The most common way locals do this is by taking a bus from Taormina to Catania first, and then switching to the Palermo bus.

​Here is the breakdown:
​Taormina to Catania: Use the Interbus company. The main bus station in Taormina is on Via Pirandello (it's a short walk from the Messina Gate). These buses run very frequently.

​Catania to Palermo: You’ll get off at the Catania bus terminal (Via Archimede), which is right next to the train station. From there, you take the SAIS Autolinee bus to Palermo. These are big, comfortable coaches and the trip is about 2.5 hours.

​Tickets: Since you are traveling in March, you don't need to worry too much about booking weeks in advance. You can easily buy tickets at the small office at the Taormina bus station or directly at the Catania terminal.

​One small tip: the train is also an option as MaryPat mentioned, but the bus terminal in Palermo is often more central depending on where your hotel is located.
​Hope this clears up the confusion for you and your husband! Feel free to ask if you need anything else about Taormina.
​Francesco