Seeking Tips for Getting to Monreale Cathedral from Palermo

Rome2Rio recommends the train from Cefalu to Palermo, then a 10-minute taxi to Monreale.

The only opportunity left is booking a private driver who'll be waiting for you at the Central station and will take you to Monreale for an agreed, fixed fare.

Sorry, but since you know there are pickpockets on buses, wouldn't be easier to keep your wallet in the front pocket, your left hand in the same pocket and your right hand on handrails? You could arrive from Cefalù in time for the hourly AST bus to Monreale that leaves from Piazza Indipendenza Sq.

then a 10-minute taxi to Monreale.

I'm afraid it's a 25 minutes ride to Monreale when you get on the cab at Palermo's main station.

I don't remember anything remotely uncomfortable about the public bus to Monreale. I was annoyed that my guidebook (this was before Rick published his guide to Sicily) didn't specify where on the rather large square in Palermo I would find the bus stop I needed. I ended up walking all the way around the square before I found it. So definitely check for precise directions ahead of time.

There was a bit of a walk from the bus stop at Monreale to the cathedral. It wasn't far, but it may have been somewhat uphill.

It’s not a far walk from Centrale to the bus stop to Monreale (Piazza Indepenzia I believe.) The public bus was fine, cheap but crowded. It’s a situation that always calls for caution with pickpockets. There’s also some red tourist busses that depart from here. They are considerably more expensive (20+€) but you’re paying for comfort and safety.

The real rub here is that there is one road up there and back. So, all these busses and taxis are all doing the same thing at roughly the same speed. The busses drop you off about a 10 minute uphill walk from the Cathedral, they just can’t maneuver up there. If you do decide on a taxi, I’d make sure they take you all the way up. A taxi up and a bus down might be a decent compromise.

There’s not a super quick or easy way to get there, but it’s still well worth the effort.

We too took the bus to Monreale and were not the least bit uncomfortable. 10 minute taxi from the train station is wildly optimistic although it would be a thrilling ride. Don't worry overmuch about pickpockets, be smart and alert. Brad

We stayed in Monreale and took the bus into Palermo and back to Monreale. It was easy, but in heavy traffic the bus can take almost an hour.

In Palermo, the AST bus stop on Piazza Indipendenza to Monreale is in front of Sbariamo Bar, Corso Calatafimi, 109, 90129 Palermo PA, Italy.

The ONLY time we have been pickpocketed in 19 trips to Europe was on the Palermo to Monreale bus. So just be sure to do what Dario suggested.

I took the bus from the train station. Traffic can be awful so the taxi won't go much faster than the bus, but the meter will be racing along. The walk from the bus stop was pleasant, even interesting. The bus schedule is posted so make a note of the departure times before you head for the cathedral.

First, thanks to everyone for sharing your insight. Second, the trip to Monreale today (June 6) was a success! Third, I’ll share my transit experience for future reference.

My husband decided to join me and he preferred a taxi option vs. a bus. We’re two days from returning to the US and wanted to minimize COVID exposure and optimize timing.

So … we took a 50-min train at 8:43 to Palermo Central Station, which was air conditioned, quiet and scenic. Cost: Euro 12 pp round trip. Then, we found a driver at the official taxi stand and negotiated a fixed fare (using my elementary Italian) for the 6-mile, uphill trip on a tiny road. Cost Euro 40 one-way. We gave him a 50 and he claimed not to have change. Then, after our gentle prodding, he gave in and we got our 10 Euro change. Our driver was a little older man with missing teeth and bleary eyes, but he guided us up the steep road expertly.

We were lucky to visit the amazing cathedral and cloisters for two hours at 10:00 before any big crowds and had a yummy lunch on the piazza afterwards. The restaurant called a taxi for us. This taxi, a comfy van, returned us to Palermo for Euro 30 (his offer). I spent a couple hours enjoying the sights, smells and sound of walking Palermo’s neighborhoods before returning to Cefalu.

Yes, the taxi was a pricey option but it worked for us. Cheers.