Can't wait for our third trip with Rick Steves tour company. This time to Sicily. We are leaving 4 days before the May 11th tour starts, flying into pmo and spending two nights in Cefalu.
Can anyone tell me about using the train for the trip from the airport to that town? Have we bitten off more than we can chew after a long haul on Swiss Air through Zurich, I know we'll be tired. We can sleep on the train. Is there a better transportation option? We've booked Taliammari BNB for 2 nights.
Any observations deeply appreciated. Ciao
Posted by
3067 posts
We went from the airport to Cefalu, although not after arriving from overseas (had turned in car at airport). I don't know if there are any direct trains. We changed trains. It is a big station but well marked.
I would make sure you have the Trentalia app on your phone. It is by far the easiest way to buy tickets. I find the app easier to use than machines and lines for a person are often long. You can play with it at home so that not trying to figure it out jet lagged.
Cefalu is can be crowded but I think it would be a good place to get over jet lag. And I don't think the train ride is difficult to manage. You might set an alarm for yourself if you think you will sleep so you don't miss your stops.
Posted by
OP
RI and FL
14 posts
Thanks so much. I'll download that app.
Posted by
OP
RI and FL
14 posts
Hoping May 8,9 and 10 will be less crowded...
Posted by
Western Canada
3787 posts
I think you’d have to take the train from the airport to Palermo Centrale, then change to the Cefalu train.
The train at the airport is easy to find.
The Centrale station is not very big and it’s easy to find your platforms, they are all on one level.
If you can, buy tickets at the airport when you land, or if you can use the Trenitalia app to do so….do that .
The ticket counters at Centrale always seemed very slow and busy when we were there in 2023, and most of the ticket machines were never working .
At Cefalu, get an official taxi to your accommodation, it’s a bit of a walk into town… you’ll be tired by then.
Posted by
102 posts
We did exactly what you are doing (except we stayd 3 nights) when we did the RS Sicily tour in 2023. Cefalu was the perfect place to get over jet lag! We even flew through Zurich. It was a very tiring trip, but worth it. We ended up buying the train tickets from the ticket booth as we couldn't pull up the app on our phone, but there was no line and the ticket seller was very helpful. We had a little time at the Palermo train station to get something to eat before catching the train to Cefalu. We just walked into town as we didn't think it was that far to our apartment. The hardest part was finding where we were staying. I ended up going into a shop and they found someone to show us the way as we were very close. We explored Rocco di Cefalu, the beach, the town and catheral. Enjoy!!
Posted by
OP
RI and FL
14 posts
thank you all,
we leave next week!
Posted by
21 posts
I'm curious how it turned out. I'm looking to book train tickets too. Can it be done at time you need them in app or better to purchase in advance?
Posted by
OP
RI and FL
14 posts
We had great success in finding the train in the Palermo airport and changing trains in the central station in Palermo to cefalu. We had no issues purchasing our tickets there at both stations.
The ride was lovely and definitely take a taxi to your hotel.
You'll be tired and it's uphill depending where you are staying.
Have a wonderful time. We are still in successfully, in Catania for one extra day.
Enjoy.