ARRIVING AT
PALERMOLeaving Falcone–Borsellino: transport guide
Falcone–Borsellino · Italy
Medium riskUpdated June 2026Medium confidence
While public transport is reliable and affordable, taxi scams due to overcharging or refusal of card payment are a common concern in Palermo.
TL;DR
PMO (Falcone–Borsellino) is the main international airport serving Palermo, Italy. The recommended way out is Train (Trinacria Express) (~€6, 50 min to centre). Pickup is at Follow signs for 'Treni' from arrivals, station is within the airport terminal.. The most common scam to watch for is "Taxi Overcharging". Fares on the AIRPORT → City Centre route typically run €6-€7 (Bus/Train), €35-€45 (Taxi); anything above €60+ for a taxi when it should be €35-€45. is almost certainly a scam. Last updated June 2026.
IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING
Train (Trinacria Express)
- Typical fare
- €6
- Journey time
- 50 min to centre
- Pickup
- Follow signs for 'Treni' from arrivals, station is within the airport terminal.
WARNING · Can be crowded with limited luggage space during peak times.
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Compare your options at a glance
| Option | Cost | Wait | Payment | Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Train (Trinacria Express) | €6 | Frequent, ~20-30 min | 💳Card / Cash | |
Bus | €6 (one-way), €11 (return) | Regular service | 💵Cash | |
Taxi | €35-€45 | Readily available, <20 min wait max. | 💵Cash | — |
Uber/Ride-hailing | Varies (estimate €40-€60) | Variable, potentially long in Palermo. | 📱App | — |
Shared Shuttle | €7-€12 | Variable, depends on other passengers. | 💳Card | — |
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Your first 30 minutes
- 1Locate Train station signs.
- 2Buy train ticket at machine.
- 3Validate ticket before boarding.
- 4Board Trinacria Express.
- 5Text arrival to accommodation.
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Airport exit score
AIRPORT EXIT SCORE
78/ 100
- Scam risk60
- Public transport90
- Ride-hailing50
- Signage clarity85
- Payment convenience80
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Fare reality check
AIRPORT → City Centre
- €6-€7 (Bus/Train), €35-€45 (Taxi)ExpectedWhat locals actually pay
- Above €10 for bus/train, above €50 for taxi.ConcerningQuestion this — ask for the meter
- €60+ for a taxi when it should be €35-€45.Probably being scammedWalk away. Find another ride.
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Best ways out, ranked
- 1
Train (Trinacria Express)
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- €6
- Journey
- 50 minutes
- Wait
- Frequent, ~20-30 min
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Affordable and direct to Palermo Centrale.
- Comfortable and avoids traffic.
- Operates late into the evening (last train 00:25).
Cons- Limited luggage space.
- Non-refundable tickets (GetYourGuide).
- 2
Bus
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- €6 (one-way), €11 (return)
- Journey
- 50 minutes
- Wait
- Regular service
- Payment
- 💵 Cash
Pros- Affordable with return ticket discount.
- Regular service and comfortable.
- Last service around 00:30.
Cons- Possible delays due to traffic.
- Limited luggage space.
- 3
Taxi
- Cost
- €35-€45
- Journey
- 30-40 minutes
- Wait
- Readily available, <20 min wait max.
- Payment
- 💵 Cash
Pros- Direct to destination, convenient.
- Faster than public transport.
Cons- Most expensive option.
- Risk of overcharging and card payment resistance by drivers.
- 4
Uber/Ride-hailing
- Cost
- Varies (estimate €40-€60)
- Journey
- 30 minutes
- Wait
- Variable, potentially long in Palermo.
- Payment
- 📱 App
Pros- Pre-booked and private.
- Upfront pricing (if available).
Cons- Not widely available in Palermo.
- Potential for scamming/cancellations.
- More expensive than public transport.
- 5
Shared Shuttle
- Cost
- €7-€12
- Journey
- 40-60 minutes
- Wait
- Variable, depends on other passengers.
- Payment
- 💳 Card
Pros- More affordable than private taxi.
- Door-to-door service.
- Comfortable.
Cons- Longer travel time due to multiple stops.
- Possible wait times for other passengers.
06
Paying without surprises
- Always carry small Euro denominations for buses and taxis.
- Taxi drivers might claim card machines are broken; insist on paying by card as it's legally required.
- Buy public transport tickets from official vendors or machines to avoid overpaying.
- Be wary of unofficial vendors selling tickets outside designated areas.
07
Common scams
Taxi Overcharging
Medium riskTaxi drivers quote inflated fares, especially to tourists, or use unmetered rides.
HOW TO AVOID · Confirm fare before starting, or insist on meter; know the average price to your destination.
Broken Card Machine
Medium riskTaxi drivers claim their card machine is broken to force cash payment and avoid taxes.
HOW TO AVOID · Insist on paying by card; if they refuse, threaten to report them or find another taxi.
Unofficial Ride-Hailing
Low riskDrivers offering rides outside of official apps might charge exorbitant rates or take longer routes.
HOW TO AVOID · Only use recognized ride-hailing apps or official airport taxis.
08
What locals & travellers say
PMO·Palermo
“The train is generally the most convenient and cost-effective option to get to the city center, especially to Palermo Centrale, and runs until late.”
Redditr/sicilyChecked Mon 2024confirmed
01 / 04
- "The train is generally the most convenient and cost-effective option to get to the city center, especially to Palermo Centrale, and runs until late." — r/sicily
- "Uber is not widely available in Palermo, so don't rely solely on it for your airport transfer." — r/palermo_city
- "For late-night arrivals (midnight onwards), taxis are usually available, but consider scheduling a private hire car for peace of mind." — r/palermo_city
- "Both train and bus cost around €6 and take about 50 minutes. Choose based on your specific destination in Palermo." — palermo-airport.com
09
Arrival checklist
- Have euros ready.
- Know your destination.
- Validate bus/train ticket.
- Confirm taxi fare.
✉︎
Take it with you
10
PMO arrival FAQs
- What is the safest way to leave Falcone–Borsellino?
- Train (Trinacria Express). Can be crowded with limited luggage space during peak times..
- Are taxis at PMO safe?
- Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: taxi overcharging — Taxi drivers quote inflated fares, especially to tourists, or use unmetered rides. Confirm fare before starting, or insist on meter; know the average price to your destination.
- Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at PMO?
- Yes — Uber/Ride-hailing works at PMO. Typical cost Varies (estimate €40-€60), journey ~30 minutes. Use the in-app pickup point rather than the arrivals curb.
- How much should a taxi from PMO to the city centre cost?
- Expected fare on the AIRPORT → City Centre route is roughly €6-€7 (Bus/Train), €35-€45 (Taxi). Anything around Above €10 for bus/train, above €50 for taxi. is high — €60+ for a taxi when it should be €35-€45. is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
- Do I need cash for a taxi at PMO?
- Carry small local notes — Train (Trinacria Express) expects card & cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
- Where is the official taxi pickup at Falcone–Borsellino?
- Follow signs for 'Treni' from arrivals, station is within the airport terminal.. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
- Is PMO safe to arrive at late at night?
- Late-night arrivals carry extra scam pressure here — specifically taxi overcharging. Pre-book a transfer where possible, stay inside the terminal until your ride is confirmed, and use the official rank only.
- What scams should I watch for at PMO?
- The most reported at PMO: Taxi Overcharging; Broken Card Machine; Unofficial Ride-Hailing. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.
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