What is the best/easiest way to get from Cefalu (after our RS tour) to Palermo for our flight, and how much time would we need to allow to get there and to check in etc? Then if we take a flight from Palermo to Rome or Milan, what kind of connection time at do we need to allow to catch a flight back to the States?
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
You can take a train from Cefalu to Palermo Centrale (about 55 minutes) and then transfer to a train/bus to the airport (a little more than an hour).
If your ticket is from Palermo to the US with a change in Roma or Milano, you won't have to retrieve your luggage. Separate tickets might add an hour. I would not want a connection time of less than 90 minutes-2 hours but I tend to be a little cautious. Also, if you are traveling on a single ticket and your first leg is delayed, the airline has to get you onto another flight; on two separate tickets (Palermo - Rome, Rome- US), it's up to you.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you. I think the best thing we can do is take our time... fly out of Palermo in the evening, spend the night by FCO and catch a morning flight back to the States. The connection is just too close if we try to leave Palermo, connect in Roma and catch a flight out to the States. There isn't any economical way to have United or Delta or... book our entire trip since we have multiple stops. The best is to do a round trip ticket from States to Roma and back. I will fill in the others with the low cost airlines. But, any ideas about what is the best airport to use at FCO? Perhaps with a free shuttle?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16243 posts
The Hilton Fiumicino is the best. Across from the terminal. Not cheap though.
Rome in the city center itself is not far though. 30 min by taxi in the early AM when there is no traffic.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
In your last question, are you asking about a hotel at FCO?
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Yes, at or very near to the airport. We are thinking that will take an evening flight into FCO from Palermo, and then our flight out of FCO to the states is in the morning.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Here is Ron In Rome's thorough exploration of the options for an "airport hotel" at FCO, including the option of staying in central Rome and getting a train or taxi in the morning: http://tinyurl.com/3jr3b8z
You are right, coming back from Sicily to the US is a pain. We had to do the same as you - flight the day before to Rome, then flight out of Rome to the US the next morning. Don't worry - Sicily is worth it.