- Must visit
Palazzo Abatellis - Regional Gallery of Sicily
Major Sicilian art museum in a Gothic-Catalan palace, known for Antonello da Messina's masterpieces and medieval to Renaissance works.
Cheapest price
$21
Average price
$22
Fastest journey
2 h 30 m
Average duration
2 h 35 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
172 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Taormina to Palermo is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Taormina to Palermo will cost around $22 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $21.
Of the 2 buses that leave Taormina for Palermo on Mon, Jun 15, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jun 15 the direct buses cover the 172 km distance in an average of 2 h 35 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 30 m .
On Mon, Jun 15 the slowest buses will take 2 h 40 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 train as it is the most popular option from Taormina to Palermo among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $13. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 3h 44m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the ferry 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 $13, and a ferry costs an average of $68.
Distance: 106 miles (172 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Ferry | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$21 Average price Cheapest | $24 Average price | $71 Average price | $49 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 14m Average total duration Fastest 3h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 22m Average total duration 3h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 12m Average total duration 5h 12m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 2h 54m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
- CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - 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 Taormina to Palermo:
A bus is $3 (€2) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Taormina to Palermo costing on average $24 (€19).
A bus is $51 (€41) less than a ferry for this route with tickets for a ferry from Taormina to Palermo costing on average $71 (€58).
Other travel options to Palermo take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 52m.
Ferry takes on average 5h 12m.
Tickets start at around $21 (€17) compared to roughly $49 (€40) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $28 (€23). The journey takes 3h 44m versus 2h 54m 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 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 BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 09:40AM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:46AM | Arrival Time 03:55PM | Duration 4h09 | Departure days Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator Trenitalia | Departure Time 11:56AM | Arrival Time 07:19PM | Duration 7h23 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:40PM | Arrival Time 05:10PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator Trenitalia | Departure Time 04:50PM | Arrival Time 01:29AM | Duration 8h39 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator Trenitalia | Departure Time 05:58PM | Arrival Time 01:29AM | Duration 7h31 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $29 |
The table below shows live departures for Taormina to Palermo buses for today, Sunday, June 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:46 AM Taormina | 4h09 | 3:55 PM Palermo | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, 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 Taormina to Palermo run on average 2 times per day, taking around 3h 44m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $13 (€11) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 01:58, the last at 19:26. The fastest bus covers the 106 miles (172 km) distance in 4h 9m.
Distance 106 miles (172 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 44m |
Cheapest ticket price $13 (€11) |
Buses per day 2 |
Fastest bus 4h 9m |
First bus 1:58 AM |
Last bus 7:26 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Palermo — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Palermo trip today.
Major Sicilian art museum in a Gothic-Catalan palace, known for Antonello da Messina's masterpieces and medieval to Renaissance works.
Important archaeology museum with Phoenician, Greek, Roman and Egyptian collections, central for understanding Sicily's ancient history.
Well-preserved aristocratic house museum with original furnishings, frescoes and decorative arts, offering a vivid look at noble Palermo.
Palermo's famous seaside district with turquoise water, white sand and Liberty-style villas, highly popular with locals and visitors.
Lively historic market area known for street life, colorful stalls and an authentic atmosphere that draws many photographers.
Main pedestrian-friendly avenue cutting through the old center, lined with landmarks, shops and constant city energy.
Fried rice balls stuffed with ragù, butter, ham, cheese, or other fillings. A Palermo street-food icon and one of the city's most famous snacks.
Soft bread rolls filled with chickpea fritters, often served with lemon. A classic Palermo street food with deep local roots.
Also called pani câ meusa, this sesame roll is filled with chopped veal spleen and lung, often topped with caciocavallo or ricotta.
Established fine-dining restaurant offering modern interpretations of Sicilian cuisine, polished service, and a more upscale atmosphere.
Well-known restaurant near the historic center serving refined Sicilian cuisine in an elegant but relaxed atmosphere, with strong local ingredients.
Popular central spot known for approachable Sicilian dishes, pasta, and a lively casual atmosphere close to Quattro Canti.
Moderate by Italian standards. Street food and local trattorias are good value, while central hotels and upscale dining cost more.
Service is often included or covered by a coperto. Tipping is not mandatory, but leaving EUR 1-2 at cafes or 5-10% for very good restaurant service is appreciated. Round up taxis.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Taormina 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.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need