Italy for me From Italy with love
The largest air gateway to Sicily is Falcone–Borsellino Airport (Aeroporto di Palermo “Falcone e Borsellino”), located 22 miles (35 km) west of Palermo, the island’s capital, in the town of Punta Raisi.
You can reach the city from the airport by bus, rental car, or public transportation.
Here’s a breakdown of the transportation options and their costs from the airport to downtown Palermo:
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By Bus
For budget-conscious travelers, taking the bus is the most affordable option.
Buses depart directly from the airport terminal every 30 minutes from 6:00 AM until midnight.
- One-way fare to Palermo is €6.50 (about $7).
- You can purchase tickets and check the bus schedule at: www.prestiaecomande.it
In addition to Palermo, you can reach several other Sicilian towns by bus, including Agrigento, Menfi, Porto Empedocle, Ribera, Trapani, and Sciacca.
- Buy tickets and plan your route to other Sicilian destinations here: buscenter.travel
- For example, a ticket from the airport to Trapani costs €10 (around $11).
Watch this video to see what the airport bus looks like:
By Train
You can walk from the airport terminal to the Punta Raisi railway station. The regional Trenitalia train to Palermo Centrale station runs twice per hour, and tickets cost €5.90 (about $6.50).
Car Rental
Driving from the airport to downtown Palermo via the E90 coastal highway takes about 40 minutes. 
All major Italian car rental companies have offices at Palermo Airport. You can rent a car from:
- Goldcar
- Firefly
- Avis
By Taxi
Palermo Airport has a dedicated taxi stand right outside the arrivals hall. However, as in most of Italy, taxis are relatively expensive. Additional charges may apply for night rides, weekends, or holidays.
Getting to Cefalù from Palermo Airport
The journey from Palermo Airport to Cefalù takes about two hours. The most convenient public transport option is the regional Trenitalia train with one transfer. Tickets are available online about two months in advance.
Hotels Near Palermo Airport
If you have a late arrival, staying overnight in one of the nearby hotels in Cinisi is a great option. There are more than 20 accommodations within a 1.2-mile (2-km) radius. The closest include:
Flights
In addition to the national carrier www.ita-airways.com, Palermo Airport serves various international airlines. Most are low-cost carriers:
From Europe
Ryanair, Europe’s leading low-cost airline, operates flights to Palermo from most major Italian cities as well as Berlin, Madrid, Seville, and Paris.
For example, with early booking, flights from Rome to Palermo can cost as little as €19–50 (approximately $21–55).
When departing from Palermo, remember that check-in opens two hours before departure and closes 40 minutes prior to takeoff.
Flight Information
The official airport website with live flight information is available at: www.aeroportodipalermo.it
Modern Design
The airport, originally built in 1960, received its current modern look after a reconstruction effort that began in 1987. However, the process was so drawn out that it wasn’t fully completed until 1995.
As your plane descends, it’s immediately clear that you’re flying over Sicily. The runways sit right at the edge of a dramatic coastal cliff. There are no more than 65 feet (20 meters) between the end of the tarmac and the shoreline. From above, the airport appears as a massive open expanse bordered on one side by the gentle blue of the Mediterranean Sea and on the other by a patchwork of olive groves and the red-and-white rooftops of Sicilian homes.
Inside the terminal, you won’t find stereotypical Sicilian flair. The interior is minimalist and academic—yet it doesn’t feel dull. Thanks to the brilliant Mediterranean sunlight that floods every space, the airport feels airy and bright. Without air conditioning, both staff and travelers would be scrambling for shade.
History
This airport has a unique feature—a third runway built perpendicular to the main ones. It was constructed to ensure safe takeoffs and landings during sirocco winds, a strong southern wind from Africa.
Why wasn’t a more protected, less wind-prone location chosen for the airport? And why place it so far from Palermo? The answer lies with the notorious Sicilian mafia.
Two infamous Sicilian mafia figures—Don Luciano Liggio and Don Tano—insisted that the airport be built on Don Tano’s land. It didn’t matter that the land was fully exposed to the sirocco; when the dons decided to establish a drug trafficking route to the U.S., the air gateway to Sicily had to be built there.
That’s why the third runway was added—for safety. Ironically, the airport is now named after two of Sicily’s most courageous anti-mafia prosecutors, Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino.