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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
Journey Summary
11hr 39min
Daily
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 | |
| Italia rail | from €29.90 | |
| Save A Train | from €29.90 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
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.
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
Journey Summary
12hr 57min
Nightly
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 | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
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 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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