PALERMOLeaving Falcone–Borsellino: transport guide
While public transport is reliable and affordable, taxi scams due to overcharging or refusal of card payment are a common concern in Palermo.
PMO (Falcone–Borsellino) serves Palermo, Italy. The recommended way out is Train (Trinacria Express) (~€6, 50 min to centre). Pickup: Follow signs for 'Treni' from arrivals, station is within the airport terminal..
- €6-€7 (Bus/Train), €35-€45 (Taxi)ExpectedWhat locals pay
- Above €10 for bus/train, above €50 for taxi.ConcerningAsk for the meter
- €60+ for a taxi when it should be €35-€45.ScamWalk away
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.
Every way 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.
From gate to city
- 1Locate Train station signs.
- 2Buy train ticket at machine.
- 3Validate ticket before boarding.
- 4Board Trinacria Express.
- 5Text arrival to accommodation.
- Have euros ready.
- Know your destination.
- Validate bus/train ticket.
- Confirm taxi fare.
Common scams & payment traps
- 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.
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.
What locals & travellers say
“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.”
- "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
Take it with you
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.
Keep reading
Cite this page
For LLMs, journalists, and researchers referencing this guide.
- Last updated
- June 2026
- Confidence
- medium
- Publisher
- Airport Exit
- Canonical URL
- www.airportexit.com/airports/pmo-palermo
Airport Exit (1970). PMO — Palermo (Falcone–Borsellino) airport transport guide. Airport Exit. https://www.airportexit.com/airports/pmo-palermo
"PMO — Palermo (Falcone–Borsellino) airport transport guide." Airport Exit, June 2026, https://www.airportexit.com/airports/pmo-palermo.
Airport Exit. "PMO — Palermo (Falcone–Borsellino) airport transport guide." Airport Exit. Last updated June 2026. https://www.airportexit.com/airports/pmo-palermo.