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Milan to Palermo by train
How to take the rail journey from northern Italy to Sicily's largest city
Step on board for one of Europe's most epic journeys by train which has four distinct phases:
- travel through the night to south of Salerno and then,
- wake up to stunning coastal views before,
- riding the train in a boat across the waves, to arrive in Sicily in the early afternoon,
- before winding up the trip with a journey along Sicily's northern shore.
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Routes
From Milano to Palermo by train
Journey Summary
20hr 25min
Nightly
Travel Information
Final Destination: Palermo
This train also calls at: Bagheria
This service, which is the only direct train from Milano to north-west Sicily, is typically scheduled to depart from Milano Centrale at 20:10 and arrive in Palermo at 16:55 in the afternoon of the next day.
1 x train per night
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 3 to 4 months ahead of the travel date
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Trenitalia | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
To make the journey by day the optimum route involves taking these trains
- The 07:30 high speed Frecciariossa 1000 train from Milano Centrale to Roma Termini, with a 46min connection into
- The 11:26 IC train from Roma to Palermo, which is due into Palermo at 23:05.
An overnight journey that is also one of Europe's most scenic railway journeys? Well this rail journey along Italy's Mediterranean coastline is so long that by the time the sun has risen the train will be arriving in Ascea, it will be due there at 07:11: so the hour after hour of stunning coastal views to the south of there can be enjoyed year round.
These sea views can be seen on the right for most of the remainder journey until the train arrives at Villa San Giovanni, which is the port at which the train will be loaded on to a ferry for the sea crossing to Messina.
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 journey across the water will take around 45 mins.
On departure from Messina Centrale, the air-conditioning/heating will be switched back on and then between there and pretty much journey's end, the train will travel along Sicily's north coast; and these views are also on the right.
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