How to travel from Catania to Palermo

Thu, Sep 17
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Sais Regional
Regionale
Liberty Lines
FlixBus
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Sais Regional
Regionale
Liberty Lines
FlixBus
BlaBlaCar
1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare train, bus, flight, and ferry for Catania to Palermo

Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Catania to Palermo among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $18 For those with little time, consider booking a bus, which has an average total journey time of 3h 21m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $18, while a ferry costs an average of $72.

Distance: 103 miles (166 km)

Compare bus with

Most popular
Bus
Train
Ferry
Driving

$18

Average price

Cheapest

$26

Average price

$72

Average price

$49

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 21m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 51m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 47m

Average total duration

3h 17m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

6h 5m

Average total duration

5h 5m

Onboard

+

1h 0m

Additional time*

2h 30m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.2 - 0.4kg

CO2 emissions

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

-

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Sais Regional

Most popular bus company

Regionale

Most popular train company

Liberty Lines

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.

The cheapest way to travel from Catania to Palermo is a bus with an average price of $18 (€15).

This is compared to other travel options from Catania to Palermo:

A bus is $8 (€6) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Catania to Palermo costing on average $26 (€21).

A bus is $54 (€44) less than a ferry for this route with tickets for a ferry from Catania to Palermo costing on average $72 (€59).

A bus is $391 (€318) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Catania to Palermo costing on average $410 (€333).

The fastest way to travel from Catania to Palermo is by bus with an average journey time of 3h 21m.

Other travel options to Palermo take longer:

Train takes on average 3h 47m.

Ferry takes on average 6h 5m.

Flight takes on average 6h 37m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 4 ways to travel between Catania and Palermo including taking a train, bus, flight, and ferry.
We recommend using the bus as it is the most popular way to get from Catania to Palermo among Omio's users.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.

Tickets start at around $18 (€15) compared to roughly $49 (€40) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $31 (€25). The journey takes 2h 51m versus 2h 30m 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.

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.

Travel options
from Catania to Palermo

How to get from Catania to Palermo by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

bus

The best way to travel from Catania to Palermo is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    3:30 PM3h50
    Catania, Via D'Amico
    7:20 PMPalermo, Via Tommaso Fazello (Terminal Bus)
    $171One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    3:30 PM3h50
    Catania, Via D'Amico
    7:20 PMPalermo, Via Tommaso Fazello (Terminal Bus)
    $171One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • Sais Regional8884
    11:10 AM2h25
    Catania, Via Fontanarossa (Aeroporto)
    1:35 PMPalermo, Oreto - Orsi
    $171One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • RegionaleRegionale Veloce 5491
    9:32 AM2h57
    Catania Centrale
    12:29 PMPalermo Centrale
    $211One-way
    0 transfers
  • RegionaleRegionale Veloce 5503
    7:32 AM2h57
    Catania Centrale
    10:29 AMPalermo Centrale
    $211One-way
    0 transfers
  • RegionaleRegionale Veloce 5513
    3:32 PM2h57
    Catania Centrale
    6:29 PMPalermo Centrale
    $211One-way
    0 transfers
  • Sais RegionalAGG-162
    9:40 AM2h25
    Catania, Via Fontanarossa (Aeroporto)
    12:05 PMPalermo, Oreto - Orsi
    $171One-way
    0 transfers
  • Sais Regional8887
    12:10 PM2h25
    Catania, Via Fontanarossa (Aeroporto)
    2:35 PMPalermo, Oreto - Orsi
    $171One-way
    0 transfers
  • Sais Regional60017
    3:40 PM2h25
    Catania, Via Fontanarossa (Aeroporto)
    6:05 PMPalermo, Oreto - Orsi
    $171One-way
    0 transfers
  • Liberty LinesLIBERTY LINES
    6:30 AM5h05
    Port of Milazzo
    11:35 AMPort of Palermo
    $681One-way
    0 transfers

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

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FAQs: Travel from Catania to Palermo

Travel to Palermo easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Catania to Palermo.

FAQs
There are 4 options to travel between Catania and Palermo including taking a train, bus, flight, and ferry.
The cheapest way to travel from Catania to Palermo is a bus with an average price of $18 (€15).

This is compared to other travel options from Catania to Palermo:

A bus is $8 (€6) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Catania to Palermo costing on average $26 (€21).

A bus is $54 (€44) less than a ferry for this route with tickets for a ferry from Catania to Palermo costing on average $72 (€59).

A bus is $391 (€318) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Catania to Palermo costing on average $410 (€333).

The fastest way to travel from Catania to Palermo is by bus with an average journey time of 3h 21m.

Other travel options to Palermo take longer:

Train takes on average 3h 47m.

Ferry takes on average 6h 5m.

Flight takes on average 6h 37m.

The distance from Catania to Palermo is approximately 103 miles (166 km).
The average frequency per day from Catania to Palermo is:
  • Around 27 buses per day.
  • Around 12 flights per day.
  • Around 8 trains per day.
  • Around 1 ferries per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Catania and Palermo as scheduled services by train, bus, flight, and ferry can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Catania to Palermo:
  • Flights mostly depart from Catania Fontanarossa Airport and arrive in Palermo Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from Catania Centrale and arrive in Palermo Centrale.
  • Buses mostly depart from Catania, Via Fontanarossa (Aeroporto) and arrive in Palermo, Via Tommaso Fazello (Terminal Bus).
  • Ferries mostly depart from Port of Milazzo and arrive in Port of Palermo.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Catania to Palermo, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Liberty Lines to go to Palermo by ferry.
  • Travel with Regionale, Intercity to go to Palermo by train.
  • Travel with Sais Regional, FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, Infobus, Grupo Interbus, Azienda Siciliana Trasporti to go to Palermo by bus.
Yes, there are direct services available from Catania to Palermo with the following travel companies:
  • 1 direct ferries per day with Liberty Lines.
  • 2 direct trains per day with Regionale.
  • 26 direct buses per day with Sais Regional, FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, Infobus.
Omio customers who travel from Catania to Palermo often also extend their vacation to go to Rome, Cefalù, Milan, Trapani, Naples. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Palermo and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Palermo to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In Palermo, you can explore the Capuchin Catacombs, visit the bustling Ballarò Market, and admire vibrant street art in the Vucciria district. Take a cooking class to learn traditional Sicilian dishes or enjoy a stroll along the Foro Italico promenade. Don't miss the Palermo Cathedral, Teatro Massimo, Palazzo dei Normanni with the Palatine Chapel, Quattro Canti, and the lush Orto Botanico di Palermo.
Typically, spending 3 to 4 days in Palermo allows you to explore its main attractions, enjoy local cuisine, and immerse yourself in the city's vibrant culture.
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