Roma / Rome to Palermo by train

How to take the rail journey from Rome/Roma to Palermo

It's a long journey by train from Rome/Roma to Palermo hence both day and night trains being an option on this route.
A tick in the box for taking the day train is the hour after hour of fabulous coastal scenery, which can be enjoyed for the majority of the train ride; though the night train also travels along the northern coast of Sicily after dawn.

The night train becomes the journey to take if you need or want to be in Palermo before evening; the first train of the day isn't due into the city before around 19:30.

Both the day and night trains are loaded on special ferries so that they can be transported from the Italian mainland to the island of Sicily.

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Routes

Option 1: travelling by day

Travel Information

Final Destination: Palermo

The trains also call at: Messina and Milazzo where connections are available into the ferry on to Lipari.

The Intercity train will be loaded on to a train ferry for the sea crossing to Sicily at Villa S. Giovannni, the ticket price includes the ferry crossing.

For the 35-40 min sea crossing you can leave the train, after it has been loaded on board the board and travel on the passenger deck on the ferry.
The air-conditioning etc will be disconnected when the engine is separated from the train on arrival at Villa San Giovanni; so in summer temperatures on the train will rise while it is on board the ferry.
There are some lovely views from the outside deck.

2 x trains per day

Tickets

**Online bookings usually open:**up 4 months ahead of the travel date; though this period of time can be shorter, particularly when searching for journeys for travel after the second Sundays in December and June.
When looking up this journey prior to these dates, tickets may not be available until around a month ahead of the travel date.

These Intercity trains to Palermo are usually scheduled to depart from Roma Termini at around 07:26 and 11:26

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Trenitalia from €29.90

Trenitalia Guide

Trenitlalia is the national rail operator in Italy and in addition to its cheaper types of ticket; it also typically offers other discounts available to non-Italians, which include:

  • Group Offers, provides for a discount of up to 50% when 3-5 Adults travel together.
  • Family Offer for when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 11 and under.
  • The Children Free Offer is available for journeys by Frecce trains, when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 15 and under.
    Those aged 15 and under travel for free, but the Adults will need to purchase full price 'Base' tickets.
Italia rail from €29.90

Italia rail Guide

Italiarail lives up to its name by selling tickets for rail journeys within Italy and the core feature of its service is that it is primarily designed to be used by international visitors to Italy.
So the English translations of place names are used when looking up journeys and the terms and conditions for using each type of ticket are clearly explained.
It also clearly points out the additional costs of upgrading to other classes and types of tickets while spelling out the additional benefits of doing so.
Though Italiarail will charge a booking fee, typically of around €3.

The Early Bird service

Italiarail has launched an 'early bird' pre-booking service for journeys by Frecce trains.
Tickets can be booked up to a year ahead of travel at a flat-rate price per route, before the tickets have been released for sale by Trenitalia.
If when they are placed on sale, the price is cheaper than what you have already paid to Italiarail, it will automatically refund the price difference.
Conversely, if the price is more expensive, you won't be charged the price difference.
You can also have the peace of mind of securing your seat(s) on the Frecce train(s) when you are first planning a trip.
If before the tickets are placed on sale, you decide to change your plans, you can request a refund; but once the tickets are released for sale, you will then be bound by the terms and conditions of the ticket(s) you have booked.

Save A Train from €29.90

Save A Train Guide

On this journey

Journey Features

Scenic - YesCoastal viewsNot High Speed

Good to Know

The coaches heading to Palermo are attached to coaches heading to Catania and Siracusa for the part journey between Roma and Messina.
If you only see Siracusa on the electronic departure displays at Roma then this is the train to take.

There's no need to worry if you will be joining the correct part of the train; the coach/carrozza number on your ticket will be one of the coaches heading to Palermo.

Take food and drink with you on this journey, there are no on-board catering facilities available on Intercity trains.

The view through the rear door of the IC train to Sicily The view through the rear door of the IC train to Sicily
The IC trains to Sicily spend hours of the journey by the shore The IC trains to Sicily spend hours of the journey by the shore
Our seats were on the left, hence the views through the rear door Our seats were on the left, hence the views through the rear door
For most of the final hour the train is on a cliff looking down on the shore For most of the final hour the train is on a cliff looking down on the shore
The IC train to Sicily being loaded on to the ferry The IC train to Sicily being loaded on to the ferry
Heading west from Messina Heading west from Messina
The trains to Palermo pass numerous resorts The trains to Palermo pass numerous resorts
The trains run along the north coast of Sicily for more than 90 mins The trains run along the north coast of Sicily for more than 90 mins
Towards journeys end there are views of Bagheria Towards journeys end there are views of Bagheria

Journey Description

Step on board and experience one of Europe's most beautiful and fascinating 'train' journeys.

So fabulous that the part of the journey south of Napoli/Naples, which equates to 90% of the trip, has been included on The Guardian's pick of the world's best rail journeys.

The train will be loaded on to Europe's last remaining train ferry for the sea crossing to Sicily.

There are great coastal views for much of the train journey, particularly if you take the first train of the day from Roma.

Between Napoli and Villa San Giovanni the views will be on the right; when facing the direction of travel; the train will reverse direction on departure from Napoli.*

The spectacular sea views then continue for most of the journey along the north coast of Sicily, but you can only see these views if you take the first train of the day.

Option 2: travelling overnight

Travel Information

Final Destination: Palermo

The train also calls at: Milazzo where connections are available into the ferry on to Lipari.

This train is typically schedule to depart Roma/Rome at 23:00 and arrive in Palermo just before noon.

1 x train per night

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: 3 months ahead of the travel date - usually

See the 'Train Guide' below for info on the type of accommodation available and the how tickets can be booked.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Trainline *

Trainline Guide

On this journey

Journey Features

NightScenic - YesCoastal views

Good to Know

The coaches heading to Palermo are attached to coaches heading to Catania and Siracusa for the journey between Roma and Messina.
If you only see Siracusa on the electronic departure displays at Roma then this is the train to take.

There's no need to worry if you will be joining the correct part of the train; the coach/carrozza number on your ticket will be one of the coaches heading to Palermo.
Attendants will also greet all passengers on the platform and show you where to board.

The railway travels by the beaches on Sicily's northern shore The railway travels by the beaches on Sicily's northern shore
You will pass through numerous resort towns You will pass through numerous resort towns
Hope for a sunny morning to make the most of the coastal views Hope for a sunny morning to make the most of the coastal views
Arriving in Bagheria where the town looms over the railway Arriving in Bagheria where the town looms over the railway

The overnight part of the journey is that between Roma and Villa S. Giovanni, the port at which the train is loaded on to the ferry for the crossing to Sicily.
The train is due into Villa S. Giovanni at around 06:45 so the manoeuvring of the train, will invariably function as an alarm call, for those not wearing ear plugs.

In the summer the air-conditioning is disconnected when the train arrives at Villa S. Giovanni, but once the train is on the board, it's possible to escape the heat of the train and head up to the deck on the boat.

The train will be due to depart Messina at 08:35 and between there and Bagheria, much of the journey is by the shoreline, so these stunning views from the right-hand side of the train can be enjoyed year-round.

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