- Must visit
Antonino Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum
Palermo’s top museum displays Sicilian archaeology, including the famous Punic Stone and Selinunte finds, in a former convent complex.
Cheapest price on Sep 18
€120
Average ticket price on Sep 18
€137
Fastest journey on Sep 18
12 h 44 m
Average journey duration on Sep 18
13 h 58 m
Trains on Sep 18
7
Distance
654 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Palermo is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Palermo will cost around €137 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €120.
It's difficult to get from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Palermo without transferring at least once.
Regionale 18251+
InterCityNotte 899+
Intercity 723
Intercity 581 · Intercity 551 · Intercity 727
FRECCIAROSSA 9519+
Intercity 727
FRECCIAROSSA 9503+
Intercity 723
FRECCIAROSSA 9551+
InterCityNotte 1955
FRECCIAROSSA 9519+
Intercity 727
FRECCIAROSSA 9503+
Intercity 723
FRECCIAROSSA 9555 · FRECCIAROSSA 9653+
InterCityNotte 1955
FRECCIAROSSA 9551+
InterCityNotte 1955
FRECCIAROSSA 9437+
InterCityNotte 1959Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Palermo among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the ferry, with an average ticket price of €49 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 44m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a ferry costs an average of €49, while a flight costs an average of €235.
Distance: 406 miles (654 km)
| Train | Most popular Flight | Bus | Ferry | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
€120 Average price | €235 Average price | €96 Average price | €49 Average price Cheapest | €68 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
15h 7m Average total duration 14h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 44m Average total duration Fastest 2h 44m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 21h 4m Average total duration 20h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 20h 35m Average total duration 19h 35m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 24h 9m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular ferry company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Palermo:
A ferry is €47 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Palermo costing on average €96.
A ferry is €71 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Palermo costing on average €120.
A ferry is €186 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Palermo costing on average €235.
Other travel options to Palermo take longer:
Train takes on average 14h 37m.
Ferry takes on average 19h 35m.
Bus takes on average 20h 34m.
You'll arrive about 9h 32m sooner (14h 37m by train vs 24h 9m by car). Tickets start at around €120 compared to roughly €68 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Florence Santa Maria Novella to Palermo trains for today, Thursday, September 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FRECCIAROSSA 9437+ InterCityNotte 1959 | 9:48 PM Florence Santa Maria Novella | 15h02 | 12:50 PM Palermo Centrale | 1 transfer | |
| Friday, September 18 | |||||
Regionale 18251+ InterCityNotte 899+ Intercity 723 | 12:40 AM Florence Santa Maria Novella | 18h24 | 7:04 PM Palermo Centrale | 2 transfers | |
Intercity 581 · Intercity 551 · Intercity 727 | 5:45 AM Florence Santa Maria Novella | 17h13 | 10:58 PM Palermo Centrale | 2 transfers | |
FRECCIAROSSA 9503+ Intercity 723 | 6:00 AM Florence Santa Maria Novella | 13h04 | 7:04 PM Palermo Centrale | 1 transfer | |
FRECCIAROSSA 9519+ Intercity 727 | 10:14 AM Florence Santa Maria Novella | 12h44 | 10:58 PM Palermo Centrale | 1 transfer | |
FRECCIAROSSA 9551+ InterCityNotte 1955 | 6:14 PM Florence Santa Maria Novella | 14h59 | 9:13 AM Palermo Centrale | 1 transfer | |
FRECCIAROSSA 9555 · FRECCIAROSSA 9653+ InterCityNotte 1955 | 7:14 PM Florence Santa Maria Novella | 13h59 | 9:13 AM Palermo Centrale | 2 transfers | |
This is the last train 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.
Trains from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Palermo run on average 6 times per day, taking around 14h 37m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €79 but you can travel from only €19 by flight.
The earliest train runs at 01:13, the last at 22:40. The fastest train covers the 406 miles (654 km) distance in 11h 50m.
Distance 406 miles (654 km) |
Average train duration 14h 37m |
Cheapest ticket price €79 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 11h 50m |
First train 1:13 AM |
Last train 10:40 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Discover the best of Palermo — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Palermo trip today.
Palermo’s top museum displays Sicilian archaeology, including the famous Punic Stone and Selinunte finds, in a former convent complex.
Historic rooms and vivid majolica floors showcase aristocratic Palermo. Visit for decorative arts, period interiors and city history.
Housed in the grand Steri Palace, this museum presents the Sicilian Inquisition’s story through cells, graffiti and historical documents.
Palermo’s elegant main boulevard links major monuments, shops and theaters. Ideal for first walks and observing the city’s layered architecture.
This historic street cuts across the old center and hosts markets, churches and daily life. A lively route for exploring local Palermo.
A bustling old quarter famous for layered street life, churches and market culture. Best explored on foot for atmosphere and urban history.
Crisp fried rice ball stuffed with ragù, peas and caciocavallo. A Sicilian street food icon widely loved in Palermo.
Soft sesame-topped bun filled with spleen and lung, often with caciocavallo or ricotta. A classic Palermo street food with deep local roots.
Pasta with sardines, wild fennel, pine nuts and raisins. Its sweet-savory flavor reflects Palermo's Arab-Norman culinary heritage.
Refined Michelin-starred restaurant known for creative Sicilian tasting menus in an elegant, intimate setting.
Historic seafood restaurant near the port, praised for fresh catch, raw dishes and classic Palermo fish recipes.
Legendary no-frills street-food stop celebrated for pane con la milza and authentic local sandwiches loved by residents.
Moderate for Italy. Street food and local meals are affordable, while hotels in peak season cost more. Public transport is cheap, keeping overall tourist costs reasonable.
Service is often included or modest. Round up or leave 5-10% for great restaurant service. Taxis are usually rounded up. Small change is fine in cafes.
Official public transport app
Palermo Centrale -> Quattro Canti, Palermo
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Palermo by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Palermo, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Florence Santa Maria Novella to Palermo trains use the Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Palermo Centrale station pair. Use this guide to compare Florence Santa Maria Novella and Palermo train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Firenze Santa Maria Novella is 1 km from Florence city centre. Public transport options include:
Firenze Santa Maria Novella has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: 12oz Coffee Joint, Casa Maioli, Don Nino, Fratelli Cuore, McDonald´s, Panella, Segafredo Zanetti, Spizzico, Venchi, & many more
Free WiFi (30 minutes limit). ATMs are located in the basement in the shopping center next to the Feltrinelli bookshop and between Celio and Mango shops.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 21:00. Information desks are located inside and outside the station.
Luggage storage is provided by KiPoint and located on the ground floor, on the side of Piazza Adua. Open daily from 06:00 to 23:00.
Available at Firenze Santa Maria Novella: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Firenze Santa Maria Novella: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Firenze Santa Maria Novella: Elevators, escalators, step-free access. Mobility assistance is available with the Sala Blu, located next to Platform 1.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Luxor Florence, Joy Hotel Florence, Diplomat Hotel Florence.
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