Travel Information
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Find out how to get to the Italian language school Culturforum in Palermo: by air, ship, train, car or a transfer.
The easiest and quickest way to get to Sicily is certainly by air.
In Sicily there are two international airports, Palermo-Punta Raisi and Catania-Fontana Rossa. Both airports have direct flights from all over Europe. Some low cost companies fly now to Trapani-Birgi as well.
Palermo airport is about 35 km from the city centre. Almost all the major international scheduled airlines and many low-cost airlines fly to Falcone-Borsellino airport. For information on Palermo airport visit the website: Aeroporto Falcone e Borsellino.
FROM PALERMO AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTRE WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT
On the lower floor of the airport, there is the train station, here you will have to take the train to Palermo Central Station. For rail connections, updated train timetables and information on costs and services, visit the Italian Railways website: Trenitalia.
You can reach the central station of Palermo also by bus, the bus stop is 50 m to the right as you exit the airport. The bus will leave you right in front of Central Station. The bus leaves every half hour from 5 to 24 and the ticket costs around € 7.00. For information on the service, visit the website: Prestia&Comandé.
You can also use a shared taxi shuttle from Palermo Airport to Palermo city centre. Shared taxis have a yellow disk on the roof of the car saying taxi sharing
Shared taxis usually stop in front of the airport, near the bus stop. You will have to wait for the taxi to fill up to a maximum of 8 passengers before you can leave, but times are fairly quick as demand is high and cars fill up quickly and often leave with a minimum of 4 passengers.
The journey ends at the central station, but there are also intermediate stops. The cost € 8/10 per person.
The service also operates from Palermo to the airport, just book before departure with one of the companies offering the service and agree on the time and point of departure.
If you would like to use this service, go to the website: taxi-sharing
If you wish to travel more comfortably you can book a transfer that will take you to your accommodation at any time. Booking a transfer is very simple, just enter the date, arrival time and the number of your flight in the appropriate section of the registration form.
If you still do not have the necessary data available, you can tell us all the details a few days before your arrival.
The Vincenzo Bellini airport of Catania is located about 200 km from Palermo. Several flag companies fly to Catania and also several charters. Arriving in Catania you can enjoy the splendid view of Mount Etna from above. For information on Catania airport visit the website: Aeroporto Vincenzo Bellini.
FROM CATANIA AIRPORT TO PALERMO BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
To go from Catania airport to Palermo by bus, just go to the bus stop which is right in front of the terminal. For bus, timetables visit the website: Sais Autolinee.
Trapani is located on the western coast of Sicily, about 100 km from Palermo. The Vincenzo Florio airport is connected to some major European cities by Ryanair. For information on Trapani Birgi airport visit the website: Aeroporto Vincenzo Florio.
FROM TRAPANI AIRPORT TO PALERMO BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
To reach Palermo from Trapani you must take the bus that takes you from the airport to Palermo Central Station. The bus leaves every weekday at 7:40 am and 2:40 pm. Sundays and holidays at 10.10 am and 6.40 pm. The journey takes 1 hour and 40 minutes. For information on Trapani Airport – Palermo connections visit the website: Autoservizisalemi.
The most fascinating and romantic way to get to Sicily is certainly by ship. At your arrival, the Plain of Palermo will appear to your sight. You can get to Palermo from either Genova, Civitavecchia or Napoli.
Civitavecchia is the port of Rome and is located some 100 km from the Italian capital city. The ship from Civitavecchia to Palermo leaves daily, the journey lasts 12 hours. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays the service is operated by the company Snav. Tuesdays and Thursdays by GNV. For information, availability and online booking visit the websites: Gnv and Tirrenia
If you arrive in Sicily by car from the Italian peninsula, after crossing the Strait of Messina by ferry follow the signs for the A29 Palermo-Messina motorway (toll). Take the motorway towards Palermo and take the exit towards Palermo port.
- From Palermo airport to Cefalù by car
- From Catania airport to Cefalù by car
- From Trapani airport to Cefalù by car
Whether you arrive by plane in Palermo, Catania or Trapani or by boat, why not choose to reach Palermo by taxi? After a long journey, the best way to start a relaxing vacation is surely to let yourself be led to your own accommodation without having to worry about chasing trains or buses.
Booking a transfer is very simple, just fill out the appropriate section of the registration form by entering the date and time of your arrival. If at the time of registration you are not yet in possession of the travel data, just send them to us by email as soon as you have them available. At your arrival, you will find a Culturforum employee who will accompany you comfortably to your accommodation.