- Must visit
Museo Civico Castello Ursino
City museum inside the 13th-century Castello Ursino, with archaeological finds, paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts tied to Catania’s history.
Cheapest price
$13
Average price
$15
Fastest journey
2 h 25 m
Average duration
2 h 41 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
166 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Palermo to Catania is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Palermo to Catania will cost around $15 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $13.
Of the 5 buses that leave Palermo for Catania on Sat, Jul 11, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jul 11 the direct buses cover the 166 km distance in an average of 2 h 41 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 25 m .
On Sat, Jul 11 the slowest buses will take 2 h 55 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.










Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Palermo to Catania among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $10. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 52m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $10, and a ferry costs an average of $67.
Distance: 103 miles (166 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Ferry | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$16 Average price Cheapest | $22 Average price | $68 Average price | $43 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 22m Average total duration Fastest 2h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 45m Average total duration 3h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 0m Average total duration 5h 0m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 2h 36m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular ferry company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Palermo to Catania:
A bus is $6 (€5) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Palermo to Catania costing on average $22 (€18).
A bus is $52 (€42) less than a ferry for this route with tickets for a ferry from Palermo to Catania costing on average $68 (€56).
Other travel options to Catania take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 15m.
Ferry takes on average 5h 0m.
Tickets start at around $16 (€13) compared to roughly $43 (€35) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $27 (€22). The journey takes 2h 52m versus 2h 36m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Sais Regional, FlixBus, Infobus, BlaBlaCar.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Sais Regional | Departure Time 06:05AM | Arrival Time 08:30AM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator Sais Regional | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 11:01AM | Duration 2h31 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:10AM | Arrival Time 01:10PM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:25PM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 2h55 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:25PM | Arrival Time 05:20PM | Duration 2h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:10PM | Arrival Time 05:55PM | Duration 2h45 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:10PM | Arrival Time 06:55PM | Duration 2h45 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 07:05PM | Duration 2h45 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator Sais Regional | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator Sais Regional | Departure Time 05:05PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 2h35 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator Sais Regional | Departure Time 06:35PM | Arrival Time 09:11PM | Duration 2h36 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:10PM | Arrival Time 09:45PM | Duration 2h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Sais Regional | Departure Time 07:35PM | Arrival Time 10:10PM | Duration 2h35 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $20 |
The table below shows live departures for Palermo to Catania buses for today, Friday, July 10. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:10 PM Palermo | 2h45 | 6:55 PM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:20 PM Palermo | 2h45 | 7:05 PM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:35 PM Palermo | 2h36 | 9:11 PM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:10 PM Palermo | 2h35 | 9:45 PM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, July 11 | |||||
![]() | 6:05 AM Palermo | 2h25 | 8:30 AM Catania | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and ferry prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Buses from Palermo to Catania run on average 43 times per day, taking around 2h 52m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $10 (€9) if you book in advance.
There are 42 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 04:21, the last at 21:10. The fastest bus covers the 103 miles (166 km) distance in 2h 25m.
Distance 103 miles (166 km) |
Average bus duration 2h 52m |
Cheapest ticket price $10 (€9) |
Buses per day 43 |
Direct buses 42 |
Fastest bus 2h 25m |
First bus 4:21 AM |
Last bus 9:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Catania — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Catania trip today.
City museum inside the 13th-century Castello Ursino, with archaeological finds, paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts tied to Catania’s history.
Modern history museum with immersive exhibits on the Allied landing in Sicily during World War II; one of Catania’s most distinctive museums.
Museum next to the cathedral displaying sacred art, liturgical objects, and works linked to the religious history of the city.
The city’s main square, framed by the cathedral, Elephant Fountain, and Baroque palaces; the essential starting point in Catania.
Catania’s main shopping and walking street, known for long views toward Mount Etna and lined with historic buildings.
Historic public garden with shaded walks, terraces, and viewpoints; a favorite local green space in the center.
Catania’s signature pasta with tomato sauce, fried eggplant, ricotta salata, and basil. It is one of Sicily’s most iconic dishes and strongly associated with the city.
Stuffed, breaded, and fried rice balls sold in bars and rosticcerie across Catania. Common fillings include ragù, butter, pistachio, or eggplant.
A sweet-and-sour eggplant dish with tomato, celery, olives, and capers. It is a classic Sicilian antipasto often served at room temperature.
Popular casual seafood spot near the market, appreciated for fried seafood cones, sandwiches, and quick traditional street-style fish dishes.
Established rustic restaurant with a strong Sicilian identity, noted for regional antipasti, pasta, grilled meats, and an atmospheric interior.
Historic fish restaurant at the Catania fish market, known for very fresh seafood, traditional Sicilian preparations, and a lively local atmosphere.
Moderate by Italian standards. Food and coffee are affordable, while central hotels and tourist areas cost more.
Service is often included or minimal. Rounding up or leaving EUR 1-2 at cafés is enough; 5-10% in restaurants is appreciated, not required. Round up taxi fares.
Official public transport app
Catania, Partenze - Terminal A -> Catania Centrale
The buses from Palermo to Catania, together with the trains, ensure rapid travel between the two cities that are symbols of Sicily. Every day of the week, including Saturday and Sunday, you can buy tickets for a trip lasting about 3 hours and 15 minutes. Along the way there is a change, with the bus that takes the place of the train at the city of Caltanissetta.
It is the national railway company Trenitalia that deals with the organization of part of the journey on board trains in bus travel from Palermo to Catania. The company guarantees fast and safe travel, offering passengers adequate comfort on board its carriages.
The bus trips from Palermo to Catania have an expected duration of about 3 hours and 15 minutes. The first part of the journey, that is the one that by train from Palermo leads to Caltanissetta, is completed in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The second part of the journey, from Caltanissetta to Catania, is made on board the bus, and has a duration similar to the previous one, taking only a few minutes more.
Every day of the week there is a trip from Palermo to Catania, for a total of 7 trips per week. The departure is set at about 19:30, with the expected arrival around 22:50. From Caltanissetta Xirbi station, the regional buses, bound for Catania, depart around 21:10.
Palermo train station: Palermo Catania travel departs from the Central Station. Located in a 2-storey building, it offers ticket office, information office, luggage storage, waiting room, toilets, pharmacy, bars and shops. Outside there is a parking lot. Connections with the centre of Palermo are guaranteed by the bus service, in particular by the red (Croci, Politeama, Stazione Centrale) and yellow (Stazione Centrale, Maqueda) lines.
Catania bus station: the landing bus station for buses to Catania leaving from Caltanissetta is represented by the central station of the Sicilian center. Dating back to 1867, is located in the city center, and is served by bus lines 3 and 342, also useful for those who need to reach the port. It has a waiting room, ticket office, toilets, railway police, tourist information office, bars and shops.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Palermo to Catania by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Catania, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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