Trenitalia - NAP > PMO

Hi Gail, I have not done the train from Naples to Sicily but if you do a search here on the forum you will find info and opinions. If your time is limited it may not be your best choice. Much faster to fly from Naples or Rome to PMO. Since your tour does not include Cefalu, Segesta and Erice, all worthy and great places to visit, it is understandable that you would like to fit them in. Segesta and Erice are relatively close to each other and could easily be done together as a daytrip. Certainly there are daytrip tours out of Palermo and possibly out of Cefalu to do this or else hire a private driver and tell them what you want to see. With a private driver you could probably manage to see all three in one day but with no more than two hours or so in each place.

With limited time I think your better option would be to fly - there are several non-stops per day connecting Naples and Palermo with the flight taking about an hour versus about 12 hours on the train. You could then rent a car upon arrival to visit both Segesta and Erice, as well as any other sires that may interest you before returning the car at the airport or in Palermo itself.

"I've been looking at this option to go from Naples to Palermo - it intrigues me - I've never been on a train that boards a ferry"

I was not aware of this option, and I don't have time now to investigate and see what it is. I am aware of a train the whole way, and a boat the whole way (direct overnight from Naples to Palermo). The boat usually gets good marks; the train gets decidedly mixed reviews.

But I agree that with limited time, you should also look into flying. At least pre-Covid, there were several airlines that flew this route, each with several flights a day. Check Skyscanner to see options for your travel date: https://www.skyscanner.com/

Thank you all for your replies. I will already be in southern Italy (Puglia & the Amalfi) so will be departing Naples for PMO on some mode of transportation. I had looked at the overnight ferry, but I'm not much of a "sea" traveler. I would imagine it gets rough, so would only choose that option over motorbike, bicycle, hot air balloon, horse, camel or walking, lol. I like train travel & in Canada it's now pretty much non-existent - a train that boards a ferry is something I've never done before. I'll probably book an Easyjet or Ryan Air flight from Naples to PMO & then back to PMO from CTA. As for renting a car to visit Cefalu, Segesta & Erice - the last time I drove was in the Dordogne, France in 2008 & as I'm travelling solo, there's no "other" driver, so that leaves a day trip. I've got lots of time to plan so may end up with more questions. Again, I appreciate your gracious & thoughtful replies.

Do a search on this forum about the train/ferry question. I recall several people saying they'd done it and recommending against it. Wish I could remember the details.

Gail,

The most important statement in your OP is "I've got limited time". With that in mind, I would forget the train and ferry option and take a budget flight from Naples to Palermo. I normally use EasyJet as I've always enjoyed good service with them. Given the restrictive luggage limits of many budget airlines, I've found that paying a bit extra for the Allocated Seating (which includes Speedy Boarding) with EasyJet makes for a much more pleasant trip. Be sure that you check in and obtain your boarding pass before travel and be sure to arrive at the airport well before your flight.

It should be easy to make a day trip to Cefalù from Palermo. I believe there's a train that goes there with a travel time of about 55 minutes. The bus takes 1H:15 according to Rome2Rio. If you're able to add two or three days after your tour, that might allow enough time to visit Erice and Segesta (I haven't checked the transportation options).

Buon viaggio!

Janet & Ken - thank you for your replies. I only found a couple postings re the train from Naples to PMO - and both said "fly or take the ferry". So, it'll be a budget flight into PMO with the extra baggage fee. If there's an early morning flight I might get to Cefalu in the afternoon - trains are plentiful & approx 1 hr ea way. I plan to add 2-3 days at the end of the tour, but the tour ends in Taormina so rather far from Erice & Segesta. The tour goes to the archaeological sites in Syracusa but does not include Ortigia, Ragusa or Noto. I'm debating if I should stay in Catania (to be near the airport) & do day trips from there or go to Ortigia & do day trips from there. More planning to ensue! Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

My wife and I took the train from Roma Termini to Palermo Centrale 2 weeks ago to begin our month-long visit to Sicily. It was a 12-hour ride and quite enjoyable for us. We like trains. I realize that long of a ride wouldn't work for most travelers.

It was fascinating to see the train separated as it was loaded onto the ferry for the short crossing. Passengers could detrain and watch the crossing from the ferry's deck.

Once across, designated railcars were made into 2 trains, one bound for Palermo, the other for Catania.

We will end our tour of the island in Cefalù and catch the train there to return to Rome.

I should mention that there was no food available on board the train. (Snacks were available on the ferry.) It's a good (excellent!) idea to take food - and wine - along for the ride.

No food available for a 12-hour trip?! Holy cow. Hi Cortez - we're from Montrose.

Montrose Janet,

We won't travel without food! We stocked up with sandwiches and wine at the very fine grocery at Roma Termini (opens at 0530). Happy Travels.

Cortez Lew

I recommend against the night train from Rome/Naples to Sicily. I took it in 2015. I had a berth in a couchette. I used those quite a bit when I was younger, but that 2015 trip was miserable. The train jerked constantly from side to side, so I never fell asleep at all. I imagine the daytime train ride would also be anything but smooth, but it wouldn't mean a sleepless night. At the ferry crossing we were able to get off the train briefly.

I highly recommend basing in Ortygia while you are seeing the Baroque towns in the southeast. Catania is a lot less charming, and your time is really too short to make multiple day trips from Catania down to Siracusa/Ragusa/Noto/Scicli/Modica/etc.) The extra travel time would be frustrating, I think.