Travel Information
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Find out how to get to the Italian language school Culturforum in Cefalù: 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 Falcone e Borsellino is the closest to Cefalù, it lies about 100 km westward from the Norman town. Almost all major air companies and several cheap airlines fly to Palermo.
For detailed information about Palermo airport visit: Aeroporto Palermo.
FROM PALERMO AIRPORT TO CEFALU BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The Palermo Airport rail station is directly below the terminal building. Tickets can be bought at the station. Regular services link the airport with Central Palermo, where you need to change and catch a train to Cefalu.
Journey time: 50 minutes. You can get to Palermo also by bus, the bus stop is 50 m right from the exit of the arrival terminal. Ticket can be bought on board. The bus will drop you off in front of Palermo Central, where you can take the train to Cefalù.
All long distance and local trains stop at Cefalu. For up-to-date timetable and connections, and for more information visit the Italian railway website: Trenitalia.
For the bus timetable, please, visit: Prestia e Comande.
NB: The last train from Palermo to Cefalù leaves at about 21:00 in summer and 20:30 for the rest of the year. If you land late at night, take into account that it will be impossibile to get from Palermo Central to Cefalù by public transport. You can either spend the night in Palermo, or book a transfer to get comfortably to your accommodation at any time
To book a transfer is quite easy: simply enter your flight details when you complete the Enrolment Form giving your arrival date and time.
If you are not yet sure of the details, let us know as soon as you can. A Culturforum representative will be waiting for you displaying a CULTURFORUM sign and will take you straight to your accommodation.
FROM PALERMO AIRPORT TO CEFALY BY CAR
Palermo airport is conveniently situated just off the A29 motorway. Follow the sign to Palermo and drive always on the same road. After 17 km you get to Palermo city ring, drive straight ahead never changing your direction and you will get to the A19 Palermo-Catania motorway.
Drive ahead and at Buonfornello (Km 40) join the Palermo-Messina motorway (A20, toll motorway, cost € 0,80), direction Messina and turn off at the Cefalu exit. Follow the sign to Cefalu, and let yourself be surprised by the wonferful view of the town.
The airport Vincenzo Bellini is situated 5 km from the city centre of Catania and some 180 km far from Cefalù.
Several international airlines and law cost companies fly to Catania. Arriving at Catania you will soon enjoy the magnificent view of Mount Etna from above.
You can find out more about Catania airport from the site: Aeroporto Catania.
FROM CATANIA AIRPORT TO CEFALÙ BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
To get to Cefalù from Catania airport you need to take the bus to Palermo first and then continue by train to Cefalu. The bus terminal is on the right when leaving the airport, and on the spot you can by the bus ticket. For the bus timetable, please, visit: Saisautolinee.
The bus will drop you off at Central Palermo, where you can take the train to Cefalù. All long distance and local trains stop at Cefalu. For up-to-date timetable and connections, and for more information visit the Italian railway website: Trenitalia.
NB: The last train from Palermo to Cefalù leaves at about 21:00 in summer and 20:30 for the rest of the year.
If you land late at night, it will be impossibile to get from Palermo Central to Cefalù by public transport.
You can either spend the night in Palermo and make for Cefalù the following morning, or book a transfer to get comfortably to your accommodation at any time.
To book a transfer is quite easy: simply enter your flight details when you complete the Enrolment Form giving your arrival date and time. If you are not yet sure of the details, let us know as soon as you can.
FROM CATANIA AIRPORT TO CEFALY BY CAR
With a rental car from Catania airport make for the A19 Palermo-Catania motorway (toll free), direction Palermo and then at Buonfornello join the A19 Palermo- Messina motorway, towards Messina and leave at Cefalù exit.
Follow the signs and drive ahead as far as the town.
Trapani is situated on the western coast of Sicily, some 180 km from Cefalù. The airport Vincenzo Florio is connected to several towns in Europe by Ryan Air. To find out more about Trapani airport visit the site: Aeroporto Trapani.
FROM TRAPANI AIRPORT TO CEFALÙ BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
To get to Cefalù from Trapani airport you need to take the bus to Palermo first and then continue by train to Cefalu. The bus terminal is in front of the air terminal. The bus leaves from Monday to Saturday at 7:40 and 14:40. Sundays and holidays at 10:10 and 18:40. Journey time 1 hour and 40 minutes. For the bus connection Trapani Aeroporto – Palermo visit the websites: Autoservizi Salemi or Terravision.
The bus will drop you off at Central Palermo, where you can take the train to Cefalù. All long distance and local trains stop at Cefalu. For up-to-date timetable and connections, and for more information visit the Italian railway website: Trenitalia.
NB: The last train from Palermo to Cefalù leaves at about 21:00 in summer and 20:30 for the rest of the year.
If you land late at night, it will be impossibile to get from Palermo Central to Cefalù by public transport. You can either spend the night in Palermo, or book a transfer to get comfortably to your accommodation at any time.
To book a transfer simply enter your flight details when completing the Enrolment Form giving your arrival date and time. If you are not yet sure of your flight details, let us know as soon as you can.
FROM TRAPANI AIRPORT TO CEFALY BY CAR
Leaving the airport make for the Strada Provinciale (SP) Trapani – Marsala, and then take the exit for the A29 Palermo/Mazara/Trapani direction Trapani/Palermo. Follow the sign to Palermo and drive towards the capital town.
When you get to Palermo, drive straight ahead never changing your direction and you will get to A19 Palermo-Catania motorway. Drive ahead and at Buonfornello (Km 40) join the Palermo-Messina motorway (A20, toll motorway, cost € 0,80), direction Messina and turn off at the Cefalu exit. Follow the signs to Cefalu, and let yourself be surprised by the wonferful view of the town.
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
Cefalù railway station is only a few minutes walking distance from the medieval town centre.
Just exit the station and turn right, walk straight ahead down the street. At the end of it you get to a junction. On the other side of the road you can see a little square.
Cross the road, enter the little square and turn right.
This is Via Matteotti which ends up in a square called Piazza Garibaldi.
In past times here was located the main entrance gate of the town, the Porta Terra, and today this is the gateway to the medieval town centre.
Walking straight ahead you get to the Corso Ruggero, the main street. At number 55 you will find the school Culturforum, walking 200 m further you will get to the Cathedral Square, Piazza Duomo.
Cefalù railway station is only 5 minutes walking distance from the medieval town centre. Just exit the station and turn right, walk straight ahead down the street. At the end of it you get to a junction.
On the other side of the road you can see a little square. Cross the road, enter the little square and turn right. This is Via Matteotti which ends up in a square called Piazza Garibaldi. In past times here was located the main entrance gate of the town, the Porta Terra, and today this is the gateway to the medieval town centre.
Walking straight ahead you get to the Corso Ruggero, the main street. At number 55 you will find the school Culturforum, walking 200 m further you willl get to the Cathedral Square, Piazza Duomo.
If you come by car from mainland Italy, after crossing the Strait of Messina by ferry make for the A20 Messina-Palermo motorway towards Palermo and turn off at Cefalu exit. Follow the signs and after 2 km you will get to Cefalù.
- From Palermo airport to Cefalù by car
- From Catania airport to Cefalù by car
- From Trapani airport to Cefalù by car
The town of Cefalu dates from medieval times. The ancient, characteristic town centre is a network of little streets, alleys, courtyards, stairways and narrow passages and is closed to traffic at hours which vary according to season (generally from 9.30 to 13.00 and from 16.00 to 23.00 or 05.00 am in summer).
Thereafter parking in the town centre is forbidden. However there are several parking areas around the centre, all within walking distance. They offer daily rates of between € 5-10 or weekly rates of around € 50.
The color of the lines on the parking space indicates the type of parking: white lines generally mark free parking spots on the street but in Cefalù many white line spots are for residents only.
Check for signs when you park. In parking spots indicated with blue lines payment is required (cost for parking € 0,80 or € 1,00 per hour. Payment ticket machines area situated along the street, print out a ticket there and display it clearly inside the car windshield.
Parking in blue line spots is free of charge before 09:00 and between 13:00 – 15:00. Yellow line spots are reserved for disabled persons only. To find out more about parking in Italy click here
There is no need to arrive in an unfamiliar country and then find your own way to your destination. Certainly the best way to begin a relaxing holiday is to be picked up and taken comfortably to your accommodation. We are happy to arrange for a taxi to meet you at Palermo, Catania or Trapani airport or at Palermo port.
Simply enter your arrival details when you complete the Enrolment form providing your arrival date and time. If you are not yet sure of your travel information, let us know as soon as you can. A Culturforum representative will be waiting for you displaying a CULTURFORUM sign and will take you straight to your accommodation.