Falcone–Borsellino Airport

Palermo Falcone-Borsellino Airport (PMO) serves Palermo, Sicily's capital and largest city. Named after two anti-Mafia judges assassinated in 1992, the airport is located in Punta Raisi, 35 km west of Palermo along the beautiful Tyrrhenian coast.

The airport has a single terminal with modern facilities. It's the main gateway to western Sicily, handling around 7 million passengers annually with heavy seasonal variation.

Key airlines: Ryanair (largest), Wizz Air, easyJet, Vueling, ITA Airways (formerly Alitalia), and various European carriers.

PMO is west of Palermo along the coast:

• To Palermo city center: 35 km, 40-50 minutes
• To Palermo Centrale station: 35 km, 40-50 minutes
• To Cefalù: 70 km, 60-70 minutes
• To Mondello Beach: 25 km, 30-40 minutes

The coastal highway drive is scenic.

Uber does not operate in Palermo. Use taxis or public transport.

Taxis available from the rank outside arrivals:

• To Palermo center: €45-50 (fixed rate)
• To Palermo Centrale station: €45-50
• To Cefalù: €100-120

Confirm price before departure. Fixed rates are posted.

Pre-booked transfers: Available online; can be cheaper than taxis, especially for groups.

Trinacria Express (Train)

The Trinacria Express train connects the airport to Palermo Centrale station:

• Journey time: 45-50 minutes
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes (hourly on Sundays)
• Cost: €6.50 one-way
• Hours: 05:00-22:30

1. Exit arrivals and follow signs to the train station
2. Purchase ticket from machines or ticket office
3. Trains run to Palermo Centrale and other stops

Tip: The train is the easiest way to reach central Palermo without traffic worries.

Prestia e Comandè Bus

Shuttle buses run to Palermo city center:

• Route: Airport → Palermo Centrale → Politeama
• Journey time: 50-60 minutes
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes
• Cost: €6.30 one-way, €11 return
• Hours: 04:00-00:30

Buses stop at Teatro Politeama and Palermo Centrale station.

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
P1 (covered)	€20/day	Terminal adjacent
P2 (open)	€12/day	Short walk
Long Stay	€8/day	Shuttle available

Book online at aeroportodipalermo.it for discounts.

PMO has limited but adequate options:

Landside:

• Café/bar

Airside:

• Caffè/ristorante: Italian food, Sicilian specialties
• Coffee bars
• Basic food court options

Eat in Palermo before heading to the airport—the city's food is far superior.

Network: PMO Free WiFi

• Cost: Free
• Speed: Adequate for browsing
• Registration required

SIM cards available from:

• Small shop in arrivals (variable hours)
• Better to purchase in Palermo from TIM, Vodafone, or Wind Tre

Italian prepaid SIM: €10-20 for voice and data.

ATMs available in:

• Arrivals hall
• Departure area

Currency: Euro (€)

ATMs offer fair rates. Currency exchange desks have poor rates.

Airside:

• Duty-free (alcohol, perfumes)
• Sicilian food products (olive oil, wine, marmalade)
• Ceramics and souvenirs

Best buys: Sicilian olive oil, Marsala wine, marzipan fruits, Sicilian ceramics.

VIP Lounge

• Location: Airside
• Access: Priority Pass, various cards, or €30-35 walk-in
• Amenities: Snacks, drinks, WiFi
• Hours: Follows flight schedule

Small, basic lounge with Italian hospitality.

Limited hotels near the airport. Most visitors stay in central Palermo or head directly to beach towns.

Palermo is a raw, chaotic, magnificent city—Sicily's cultural heart with Arab-Norman architecture, vibrant street food, and authentic Mediterranean character:

Top attractions in Palermo (with travel time from airport):

• Cathedral of Palermo: 45 min—Norman architecture with royal tombs
• Palazzo dei Normanni & Cappella Palatina: 45 min—stunning Byzantine mosaics
• Teatro Massimo: 45 min—Italy's largest opera house
• Quattro Canti: 45 min—baroque intersection, heart of old Palermo
• Mercato Ballarò: 50 min—chaotic street market, authentic food
• Mercato della Vucciria: 50 min—historic market, nightlife

Day trips from Palermo:

• Monreale Cathedral: 30 min—golden Byzantine mosaics, must-see
• Cefalù: 70 min—beautiful beach town with Norman cathedral
• Segesta: 75 min—ancient Greek temple in stunning setting
• Erice: 90 min—medieval hilltop town with views to Africa
• Mondello Beach: 35 min—Palermo's beach resort

Sicilian food in Palermo (street food capital):

• Arancine: Fried rice balls (note: Palermo says "arancine," Catania says "arancini")
• Panelle: Chickpea fritters, served in bread
• Sfincione: Thick Sicilian pizza with onion and anchovies
• Pasta con le sarde: Sardines, fennel, pine nuts, raisins—Sicily on a plate
• Cannoli: Crispy shells with ricotta cream—the real thing
• Granita con brioche: Breakfast of champions
• Pani ca meusa: Spleen sandwich (adventurous but authentic)

Markets (must-visit):

• Ballarò: Most authentic, best food stalls
• Capo: Local, less touristy
• Vucciria: Historic, now more nightlife than market

Local tips:

• Palermo is raw and chaotic—embrace it, don't expect polished tourism
• Safety: Improved significantly; use normal precautions, watch for pickpockets
• Siesta: Many shops close 13:00-16:00/17:00
• Sunday: Many attractions closed; markets quieter
• August: Many Palermitani leave; some businesses close
• Driving: Not recommended in central Palermo—parking is nightmare
• The coast west of Palermo (toward Trapani) is beautiful
• Monreale Cathedral mosaics are extraordinary—don't miss them
• Sicilian dialect differs significantly from standard Italian
• Palermitani are warm once you engage with them