Naples-Palermo

I can't imagine going to Sicily for two days. It's worth a visit of more like two weeks.

If you must, I suggest flying (check skyscanner.com). I have taken the night train, and I would not recommend it at all. The train jerked from side to side constantly and I don't think I slept one second. It was absolutely exhausting in a couchette and I doubt that the regular sleeper berths were much better because of the condition of the tracks.

There's also ferry service, apparently offered by more than one company, but I don't know anything about it.

I would opt for a short flight...it will only take one hour and is relatively inexpensive. Google "Naples to Palermo flights".

To maximize time in Palermo, fly. The ferry is slow and if you take the train, it goes on the ferry, too.

Even adding security, travel time, and land transportation, you will save at least 8 hours by flying.

Fly!

I've slept very comfortably in a private cabin on the Naples-Palermo overnight ferry, much better than 9 hours on the train. I believe the two operators are similar: http://www.tirrenia.it/en/Pages/home.aspx and http://www.gnv.it/en/gnv-routes.html. But flying is likely to be cheapest; check www.skyscanner.com.

Yes, I realize that 2 days is nothing in Sicily, but my husband's ancestral town is very close to Palermo and that's all we're going for this time. :(

Okay...decided, flying to Palermo; thanks for the links.
In way of thanks, let me offer this, which we think is the best-kept secret about traveling in Italy, but you're probably seasoned travelers and know about it already...
We've saved A LOT of money exchanging our dollars at the local post offices, instead of banks or (God forbid) airports. You just present your passport and they sell you Euros at a much better rate, plus there is never a waiting line for this type of transactions.
Martie

You can also use the PostOffice's Bancomat and most offices have computers available for visitors' use.

What's the markup for exchanging money at an Italian post office or buying Euros?
(I've never heard of doing this - I just use an ATM to get money and I get charged 1% of withdrawn amount by my credit union).

Martie, in 2014 I flew between Palermo and Naples on Volotea, one hour with no problems. They generally have 2 or 3 flights per day, prices are low, but you do have to be aware of low bagggage limits and expect to pay to check a bag. That is generally true with discounted airlines in Europe.

Agnes, it may be only 1%, but the real savings here is the high exchange rate the ATM uses versus the low exchange rate the Post Office offers, plus no percentage fee whatsoever. Try it once and you'll say Ciao to the ATM!
Martie

Where are you flying home from? I'd end in Naples, after Palermo. Even on the same carrier with the same ticket, I wouldn't want to have a connection to a trans-Atlantic flight. I certainly wouldn't do it with separate tickets even with the same airline.