Trains in Sicily
Travel Sicily by train and enjoy its breath-taking landscapes, incredible architecture and amazing food. Thanks to the regional and Intercity trains operated by Trenitalia, you can easily reach not only Palermo but also Agrigento, Catania, Siracusa, the famous Gole dell’Alcantara and much more! Here’s our complete guide to the Sicilian railway network, including the most popular routes and our top travel tips. Are you ready for your next adventure by train?
Sicily railways
The Sicilian railway network is 1,369 km long and covers the nine provinces of the island, including the train connections between Palermo airport and the city centre. The regional trains in Sicily are operated by Trenitalia, the main train company in Italy. Other services include the Circumetnea trains – the local trains that connect the towns around Mount Etna, and the underground networks of Catania and Palermo.
Sicily train map
Use our map and learn more about the main destinations of the regional trains operated by Trenitalia. Immerse yourself in the historical treasures of Sicily!
Explore Sicily by train and take in the stunning views of each city from the comfort of your seat. Palermo, Messina and Catania are the main station hubs – you can easily reach the rest of the region from there. From Palermo Centrale, take a fast-regional train, and you’ll be in Cefalù – one of the most beautiful coastal villages of all Italy, in only 40 minutes. And if you want to enjoy a town that combines amazing natural scenery with a rich artistic, historical and cultural heritage, head down to Catania Centrale and take an Intercity train to Taormina. You’ll arrive at your destination in only 39 minutes! Need more inspiration to plan your train travel to Sicily? Check out our map and discover where else trains in Sicily can take you, or if you want to view the most popular routes in Italy, head to our Italy train map page.
Sicily train timetable
Are you looking for train times for regional trains in Sicily? Check our tables and learn more about trains to Palermo and the train connections between the main towns of the region.
Regional trains in Sicily
| Route | Travel time |
First train |
Last train |
|
56m |
04:00 |
22:08 | |
|
36m |
06:06 |
20:55 | |
|
3h 30m |
05:13 |
21:20 | |
|
1h 14m |
06:06 |
21:24 | |
|
3h 49m |
04:47 |
20:30 | |
|
31m |
02:21 |
22:01 | |
|
1h 14m |
05:13 |
21:20 |
Palermo trains
| Route | Travel time |
First train |
Last train |
|
3h 29m |
05:42 |
20:43 | |
|
32m |
05:08 |
21:35 | |
|
2h 48m |
04:50 |
21:52 | |
|
45m |
05:14 |
22:14 | |
|
1h 50m |
06:06 |
18:37 | |
|
2h 56m |
05:00 |
22:54 | |
| Caltanissetta to Palermo |
1h 42m |
06:14 |
18:45 |
How to get to Palermo Airport
Need to get to Palermo Airport? Take one of the 72 regional trains operated by Trenitalia that connect Palermo central station to the airport every day.
Two trains run every hour in each direction, and the train journey can last between 56 and 71 minutes, depending on the number of train stops.
How to book your Sicily train tickets with us
If you’ve already decided where and when to travel by train, it’s time for you to buy your Sicily train tickets. Here’s how to do it online with us:
- Enter your departure and arrival stations of choice into either our App or Journey Planner at the top of the page. If you don't know the station name, you can also search by city
- Enter the date you’d like to depart (and return if you're buying a return ticket), along with any relevant Railcards/Loyalty cards you have and number of passengers
- If you're looking for tickets on our website, hit Search times and prices. If you're on our app, hit Find times and prices to start your search
- Choose a train time and Class option from our search results. Once you’re happy with your choice, continue to choose your seat preference
- On web, enter an email address to send your ticket confirmation to, along with the full name of each passenger you’re booking tickets for (the name must match their IDs)
- Continue to the checkout and book your tickets!
Best places to visit in Sicily
The Sicilian railway network covers the main cities of the region. Get on a Trenitalia train and visit Palermo or get to the famous Mount Etna with ease and comfort. Find out what you can see if you choose to travel Sicily by train.
Arab-Norman Palermo
Declared a World Heritage Site, the city of Palermo is characterized by the Arab-Norman style, which unites the Arab (Muslim) and Norman (Catholic) worlds: churches with colourful Byzantine mosaics and Arab ornaments and palaces in large parks with ponds and marble floors are just some of the examples of this exclusive style of Palermo. Take in the beauty of Palermo Cathedral and its Islamic ornaments, beautiful portico in Gothic-Catalan style and neoclassical green dome. Don’t miss Palazzo dei Normanni, the residence of the Norman kings, whose interior is decorated with mosaics with naturalistic motifs, paintings and frescoes with mythological scenes. Start an interesting journey through time and discover the architectural beauties that come from the combination of different populations and cultures.
Catania, between sea and the Baroque
You can’t go to Sicily without stopping in Catania, the youngest and most dynamic city of the region. Have a walk around Piazza Duomo, another important World Heritage site, and admire the beauty of the different Baroque buildings there.
Built over the ruins of Roman baths, Saint Agatha Cathedral is an architectural masterpiece you can’t miss. The interior is majestic with its characteristic contrast between the grey and white marble that stands out here as well as in the rest of the city. And if you love the sea, you're in the right place! Catania offers beautiful beaches with fine golden sand and dark volcanic rocks, unspoilt nature and a rich marine reserve. Making the city’s setting even more unique is the volcano Etna, which stands like a king in the background.
Mount Etna and Gole dell’Alcantara
Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe and one of the most visited places in the region. Get to Etna central crater and enjoy the beautiful nature found within Etna Natural Park. Simply take a train to Catania followed by an AST bus – reaching the Sicilian volcano has never been so easy! And if you want to continue your journey immersed in nature, you can’t miss Gole dell’Alcantara, the cliffs that formed after lava flows cooled in the icy water of river Alcantara. During summer you can also access a small beach located right in front of the cliffs.
Siracusa, Archimedes' birthplace
Your train journey in Sicily can’t be over without visiting Siracusa, Archimedes’s birthplace. Start from the historic centre, Ortigia Island, and discover the remains of the Greek temple of Apollo, the oldest Doric order building in Sicily. You’ll also find a very ancient Jewish ritual bath, which represents the oldest synagogue in Europe in its total integrity.
The Greek past is also visible in the Cathedral of Siracusa which, unlike the other Sicilian churches in Baroque style, is characterized by columns of an older temple within a simple Byzantine structure.
Not to mention the Archaeological Museum Paolo Orsi, one of the most important museums in Europe, with its vast archaeological collection ranging from prehistory to the classical era. Check out this and many more places with a train to Siracusa.
Cannoli, Arancini and Caponata
When in Sicily, treat your taste buds and try some delicious Sicilian dishes. The king of the Sicilian bakery is of course cannoli, deep-fried pastry tubes with ricotta cheese filling and pistachios, candied fruit or chocolate chips.
Not to mention another symbol of Sicilian cuisine, arancini, deep-fried rice balls that are usually filled with ragù or butter. Another dish that’s a must is caponata, which is made of fried aubergines, tomatoes, capers, olives, celery and onions. Discover all of these and much more when travelling Sicily by train!
Good to know
What do I do in case of a strike?
Do children travel for free on trains in Sicily?
Are there high-speed trains in Sicily?
How can I get a refund?
Learn more about train travel in Sicily and Italy
So, you've reached the end of our guide to travelling in and around Sicily by train. We've covered the types of train you can travel on, and who operates them. We've shown you must-visit destinations, popular routes and how to book your train tickets online with us.
If you feel ready to book, why not start a search in our Journey Planner at the top of the page? If not, we've got plenty more travel guides to inspire your travel in Italy and beyond.