We are thnking of returning our rental car early to the Palermo Airport and take the train to Palermo to do a walking tour. Has anyone had experience with the train transport to Palermo? Does it stop along the way or go directly to Palermo Centrale Station. Is there a better way to travel to Palermo Centrale Station such as an airport shuttle? We intend to do a walking tour once in the city center.
Posted by
North Carolina
575 posts
Very easy and convenient. The train leaves from right under the terminal. About an hour ride with two stops, I believe. Less than 10 euros.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
10459 posts
I took the train into the Central Station from the airport. Very easy and efficient. You can buy tickets from the machines on the platform. Just remember to validate at the validation machine prior to boarding. There were a few short stops on the way, but nothing that was a problem.
Posted by
seattle
2407 posts
Do you know where you’re staying? The airport bus may be more convenient for you. I would check with where you decide to stay. We found the bus to be quicker too.
Posted by
Wengen
4073 posts
We did that too. I often return rental cars at airports, even when I am not flying out. Airports are usually easy to find, and getting from the airport to the city it serves is normally easy too.
We dropped the car, took the train in, spend some time in Palermo, bought food on the market and then took the night train to Milan.
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
2242 posts
Because it was much closer to our Palermo apartment, we took the train from the airport to the station called Palermo Palazzo Reale-Orleans, stayed several nights, then took the same train back to the airport to pick up a rental car. Quick and easy and a much smaller station, more like a metro station, to deal with. See if it's actually more convenient for your walking tour.
Posted by
Minnesota
1095 posts
Just so we understand, you're only doing essentially a day trip to Palermo, returning to your airport hotel and then flying out the next day?
Posted by
seattle
2407 posts
It is definitely possible. Allow atleast an hour each was for the trip. I would figure our which walking tour you want to take and then figure out the best way to reach the starting point from Palermo Centrale station. I find Google maps to be very helpful.
Posted by
OP
Northeastern Minnesota
60 posts
Chris: Yes, we are touring the entire island but decided not to drive into Palermo rather we'll take the train and spend a day there seeing the UNESCO sites mostly and have dinner.
Posted by
Birmingham
10 posts
I would also add that there is a great shuttle bus that goes directly from the airport to the city center of Palermo for €6.00. It's less crowded and has better timing as well. The company is prestia e comande.