- Must visit
Uffizi Gallery
World-famous gallery with Botticelli, Leonardo, and Michelangelo. Essential for understanding Renaissance painting and one of Florence’s top visits.
Cheapest price
$128
Average price
$165
Fastest journey
12 h 46 m
Average duration
15 h 38 m
Trains per day
6
Distance
653 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Palermo to Florence is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Palermo to Florence will cost around $165 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $128.
Of the 6 trains that leave Palermo for Florence on Thu, Jul 16, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jul 16 the direct trains cover the 653 km distance in an average of 15 h 38 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 12 h 46 m .
On Thu, Jul 16 the slowest trains will take 17 h 1 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.
Intercity 736+
Regionale Veloce 4110
InterCityNotte 1964
InterCityNotte 1958+
Intercity 588
InterCityNotte 1954 · InterCityNotte 89512+
Regionale Veloce 4020
Intercity 736+
FRECCIAROSSA 9556
Intercity 736+
FRECCIAROSSA 9556
InterCityNotte 1958+
FRECCIAROSSA 9414
InterCityNotte 1964
Intercity 736+
Regionale Veloce 4110
InterCityNotte 1954 · InterCityNotte 89512+
Regionale Veloce 4020Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Palermo to Florence among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the ferry with prices starting from $48. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 32m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.6kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a ferry costs an average of $48, and a train costs an average of $56.
Distance: 405 miles (653 km)
| Train | Most popular Flight | Bus | Ferry | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$123 Average price | $107 Average price | $86 Average price | $59 Average price Cheapest | $112 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
12h 50m Average total duration 12h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 32m Average total duration Fastest 1h 32m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 16h 5m Average total duration 15h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 21h 17m Average total duration 20h 17m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 12h 32m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | 0.7 - 1.6kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() 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 |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Palermo to Florence:
A ferry is $27 (€22) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Palermo to Florence costing on average $86 (€71).
A ferry is $48 (€39) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Palermo to Florence costing on average $107 (€88).
A ferry is $64 (€53) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Palermo to Florence costing on average $123 (€101).
Other travel options to Florence take longer:
Train takes on average 12h 20m.
Bus takes on average 15h 35m.
Ferry takes on average 20h 17m.
You'll arrive about 12m sooner (12h 20m by train vs 12h 32m by car). Tickets start at around $123 (€101) compared to roughly $112 (€92) 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.
Direct services run with Intercity Notte.
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 Palermo to Florence trains for today, Wednesday, July 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
InterCityNotte 1964 | 12:53 PM Palermo Centrale | 16h43 | 5:36 AM Florence Campo di Marte | 0 transfersDirect | |
InterCityNotte 1954+ FRECCIAROSSA 9404 | 5:32 PM Palermo Centrale | 14h39 | 8:11 AM Florence Santa Maria Novella | 1 transfer | |
InterCityNotte 1954 · InterCityNotte 89512+ Regionale Veloce 4020 | 5:32 PM Palermo Centrale | 17h01 | 10:33 AM Florence Santa Maria Novella | 2 transfers | |
InterCityNotte 1958+ Intercity 588 | 8:21 PM Palermo Centrale | 17h09 | 1:30 PM Florence Rifredi | 1 transfer | |
InterCityNotte 1958+ FRECCIAROSSA 9414 | 8:21 PM Palermo Centrale | 14h50 | 11:11 AM Florence Santa Maria Novella | 1 transfer | |
Intercity 736+ Regionale Veloce 4110 | 7:00 AM Palermo Centrale | 16h50 | 11:50 PM Florence Santa Maria Novella | 1 transfer | |
Intercity 736+ FRECCIAROSSA 9556 | 7:00 AM Palermo Centrale | 12h46 | 7:46 PM Florence Santa Maria Novella | 1 transfer | |
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 Palermo to Florence run on average 7 times per day, taking around 12h 20m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $56 (€46) but you can travel from only $21 (€17) by flight.
The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 23:37. The fastest train covers the 405 miles (653 km) distance in 12h 44m.
Distance 405 miles (653 km) |
Average train duration 12h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price $56 (€46) |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 12h 44m |
First train 12:02 AM |
Last train 11:37 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 77 days |
Discover the best of Florence — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Florence trip today.
World-famous gallery with Botticelli, Leonardo, and Michelangelo. Essential for understanding Renaissance painting and one of Florence’s top visits.
Houses Michelangelo’s David alongside major Renaissance sculptures. A must for first-time visitors interested in Florence’s artistic legacy.
Monastic museum with Fra Angelico frescoes and tranquil cells. Ideal for experiencing spiritual art in one of Florence’s most atmospheric spaces.
Florence’s monumental main square, framed by civic buildings and sculpture. A must for first impressions, history, and lively urban atmosphere.
The cathedral square is Florence’s ceremonial heart, surrounded by the Duomo, Baptistery, and bell tower. Essential for architecture lovers.
Riverside viewpoint with one of Florence’s classic panoramas. Best at sunset for sweeping views over the Arno, domes, and historic center.
Thick Florentine T-bone steak from Chianina beef, grilled rare over coals. It is the city's signature celebratory dish and a classic of Tuscan cuisine.
A rustic Tuscan bread soup with black cabbage, cannellini beans, vegetables, and olive oil. A beloved frugal dish rooted in Florentine home cooking.
A thick soup of bread, tomatoes, basil, garlic, and olive oil, served warm or at room temperature. It celebrates simple Tuscan ingredients and stale bread.
Three-Michelin-star fine dining by Enoteca Pinchiorri, known for refined Italian cuisine and an exceptional wine cellar. Elegant and formal.
Legendary casual stop for Lampredotto sandwiches and other tripe specialties. Simple, authentic street food experience in central Florence.
Historic steakhouse famed for Bistecca Alla Fiorentina and classic Tuscan dishes. Traditional, bustling atmosphere near Santa Croce.
Moderate for Italy: hotels in the center are pricier, but dining and transit are reasonable versus Rome or Venice.
Service is often included. Round up or leave €1-2 at cafés, 5-10% for great restaurant service, and round up taxi fares.
Official public transport app
Firenze Santa Maria Novella -> Piazza del Duomo, Florence
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Palermo to Florence 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 Florence, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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