- 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
$99
Average price
$128
Fastest journey
12 h 41 m
Average duration
13 h 57 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
427 km
The best way to find a cheap train 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 $128 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $99.
It's difficult to get from Rome to Palermo without transferring at least once.
Intercity 723+
Regionale 5369
Intercity 727+
BUS LP729
InterCityNotte 1955+
BUS L957A
FRECCIAROSSA 9555+
InterCityNotte 1955+
BUS L957A
Intercity 723+
Regionale 5369
Intercity 727+
BUS LP729
FRECCIAROSSA 9555+
InterCityNotte 1955+
BUS L957A
InterCityNotte 1955+
BUS L957AOmio 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 $28.
Distance: 265 miles (427 km)
| Train | Most popular Flight | Bus | Ferry | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$113 Average price | $157 Average price | $71 Average price | $70 Average price Cheapest | $83 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
11h 32m Average total duration 11h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 16m Average total duration Fastest 4h 16m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 12h 22m Average total duration 11h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 15h 11m Average total duration 14h 11m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 25h 13m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.3 - 2.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.4 - 1.1kg 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 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 $157 (€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 14h 11m sooner (11h 2m by train vs 25h 13m by car). Tickets start at around $113 (€91) compared to roughly $83 (€67) 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, Intercity.
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 Rome to Palermo trains for today, Thursday, June 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
InterCityNotte 1955 | 8:16 PM Rome Termini | 12h52 | 9:08 AM Palermo Centrale | 0 transfersDirect | |
FRECCIAROSSA 9555+ InterCityNotte 1955 | 9:00 PM Rome Termini | 12h08 | 9:08 AM Palermo Centrale | 1 transfer | |
InterCityNotte 1959 | 11:30 PM Rome Termini | 14h13 | 1:43 PM Palermo Centrale | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, June 5 | |||||
Intercity 723+ Regionale 5369 | 7:26 AM Rome Termini | 12h41 | 8:07 PM Palermo Centrale | 1 transfer | |
Intercity 727+ BUS LP729 | 11:26 AM Rome Termini | 14h03 | 1:29 AM Palermo Centrale | 1 transfer | |
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 Rome to Palermo run on average 7 times per day, taking around 11h 2m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $58 (€47) but you can travel from only $28 (€22) by flight.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:21, the last at 23:53. The fastest train covers the 265 miles (427 km) distance in 10h 58m.
Distance 265 miles (427 km) |
Average train duration 11h 2m |
Cheapest ticket price $58 (€47) |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 10h 58m |
First train 4:21 AM |
Last train 11:53 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 91 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.
Official public transport app
Palermo Centrale, Palermo -> Quattro Canti, Palermo
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Rome 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.

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