- Must visit
Palazzo Abatellis - Regional Gallery of Sicily
Major art museum in a Gothic-Catalan palace, known for Antonello da Messina's works and important Sicilian medieval and Renaissance art.
Cheapest price
$72
Average price
$94
Fastest journey
11 h 45 m
Average duration
13 h 51 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
427 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Rome to Palermo is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Rome to Palermo will cost around $94 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $72.
Of the 4 buses that leave Rome for Palermo on Mon, May 25, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, May 25 the direct buses cover the 427 km distance in an average of 13 h 51 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 11 h 45 m .
On Mon, May 25 the slowest buses will take 15 h 45 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.
FlixBus
S201
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
S201
FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Rome to Palermo among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the ferry with prices starting from $62. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 16m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a ferry costs an average of $62, and a flight costs an average of $27.
Distance: 265 miles (427 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Ferry | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$71 Average price | $156 Average price | $113 Average price | $70 Average price Cheapest | $83 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
12h 22m Average total duration 11h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 16m Average total duration Fastest 4h 16m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 11h 32m Average total duration 11h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 15h 11m Average total duration 14h 11m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 25h 13m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | 1.3 - 2.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular ferry company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | 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 Rome to Palermo:
A ferry is $0.63 (€0.51) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Rome to Palermo costing on average $71 (€57).
A ferry is $43 (€35) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Rome to Palermo costing on average $113 (€91).
A ferry is $86 (€70) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Rome to Palermo costing on average $156 (€126).
Other travel options to Palermo take longer:
Train takes on average 11h 2m.
Bus takes on average 11h 52m.
Ferry takes on average 14h 11m.
You'll arrive about 13h 21m sooner (11h 52m by bus vs 25h 13m by car) and save roughly $13 (€10) compared to fuel and tolls ($71 (€57) vs $83 (€67)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by Autoservizi Salemi, Itabus, FlixBus, Salemi, BlaBlaCar, Autoservizi Salemi Srl.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:20AM | Arrival Time 03:15PM | Duration 13h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $65 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 02:00AM | Duration 10h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $78 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:45PM | Arrival Time 11:00AM | Duration 19h15 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 02:40AM | Duration 10h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $97 |
Operator Salemi | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 07:45AM | Duration 11h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 11:00AM | Duration 14h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $71 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 03:15PM | Duration 15h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $72 |
The table below shows live departures for Rome to Palermo buses for today, Sunday, May 24. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S201 | 8:00 PM Roma, Autostazione Tiburtina | 11h45 | 7:45 AM Palermo, Via Tommaso Fazello (Terminal Bus) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 9:00 PM Roma, Autostazione Tiburtina | 14h00 | 11:00 AM Palermo, Via Tommaso Fazello (Terminal Bus) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:30 PM Roma, Autostazione Tiburtina | 15h45 | 3:15 PM Palermo, Via Tommaso Fazello (Terminal Bus) | 1 transfer | |
| Monday, May 25 | |||||
FlixBus | 1:20 AM Roma, Autostazione Tiburtina | 13h55 | 3:15 PM Palermo, Via Tommaso Fazello (Terminal Bus) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, flight, 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 Rome to Palermo run on average 4 times per day, taking around 11h 52m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $32 (€26) but you can travel from only $27 (€22) by flight.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:45, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 265 miles (427 km) distance in 11h 45m.
Distance 265 miles (427 km) |
Average bus duration 11h 52m |
Cheapest ticket price $32 (€26) |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 11h 45m |
First bus 12:45 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 49 days |
Discover the best of Palermo — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Palermo trip today.
Major art museum in a Gothic-Catalan palace, known for Antonello da Messina's works and important Sicilian medieval and Renaissance art.
Leading archaeological museum with Punic, Greek and Roman finds, plus one of the most important classical collections in Sicily.
Historic house museum preserving aristocratic interiors, decorative arts and furnishings that show Palermo's noble life across centuries.
Baroque crossroads at the heart of historic Palermo, famous for its theatrical facades and constant street life.
Elegant square known for its monumental Renaissance fountain and surrounding historic buildings in the old center.
The city's famous seaside district, popular for clear water, Liberty-style architecture and a social-media-friendly coastal setting.
Palermo’s iconic fried rice balls, often filled with ragù, butter and ham, or cheese. A classic street food and a point of local pride.
Chickpea fritters served hot, often in a sesame bun. One of Palermo’s most traditional and beloved street foods.
Soft potato croquettes, usually mixed with parsley and fried until crisp. Commonly eaten with panelle in Palermo street food shops.
Well-known restaurant near the historic center serving refined Sicilian cuisine with local ingredients in an elegant but welcoming atmosphere.
Popular modern Sicilian restaurant focused on traditional recipes, seasonal produce, and polished presentations in central Palermo.
Established family-run trattoria loved for hearty Palermitan cooking, generous portions, and a classic local dining atmosphere.
Generally cheaper than Rome or Milan. Meals and transport are reasonable, while central hotels cost more in peak season.
Service is often included or minimal. Tipping is not required, but rounding up or leaving 5-10% for very good restaurant service is appreciated. Round up taxi fares.
Anyone who wants to make the journey from Rome to the capital of Sicily can easily do so by long distance coach. During the week, there will be five to seven direct buses, while four to seven services leave on Saturdays and Sundays. Journey times vary between 11 hours 40 minutes and 12 hours 45 minutes.
SAIS Autolinee is the main operator on the Rome to Palermo route, offering a single direct bus every day of the week (usually around 9:00 p.m.). Bus tickets can also be booked with Flixbus and Bus Center, both of which also offer daily services to Palermo.
Most buses from Rome to Palermo will take between 11 hours 40 minutes and 12 hours 45 minutes to reach their destination. However, there are no changes along the way and many buses run overnight, arriving in Palermo at breakfast time, so they may be a convenient travel option.
Buses leave Rome for Palermo regularly. Every day, travelers can expect a choice of four to seven direct buses, with departures generally leaving in the mid to late evening.
Departure bus station: All buses from Rome to Palermo depart from Rome's Tiburtina Bus Station. The easiest way to reach Tiburtina from most parts of the city is via the Metro. Take Line B, and alight at Tiburtina, and the bus station should be easy to locate once at ground level. In some cases, local buses may be more convenient. Line 492 is particularly handy, stopping right outside the station doors.
Arrival bus station: Many buses from Rome will arrive at Palermo's Piazza Cairoli Bus Station, which can be found next to Palermo Centrale Train Station. From there, Palermo's historic center is a 15-minute walk to the north (follow the Corso dei Mille). The station also provides rail connections to other Sicilian destinations. Other services stop at the Via Filippo Turati, north of the city center and very conveniently located for those transferring to the cruise port. Finally, some buses arrive at Via Tommaso Fazello, which is also adjacent to Palermo Centrale Station, within 10-15 minutes' walk of the city center.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Rome to Palermo 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 Palermo, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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