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Good to know
- Nearest airport
- Falcone–Borsellino Airport (PMO)
- To city centre
- 25 km
- Centre access
- Low-emission zone
- Parking in the centre
- Paid zones
- Main roads
- A19, A29, SS113
- Region
- Sicily
- Population
- 630,167
- City IATA code
- PMO
- Time zone
- Europe/Rome
- Currency
- EUR
- Driving side
- Right-hand traffic
- Rental offices
- 11
- Rental companies
- 8
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Where to pick up a car in Palermo
Rental desks by area, with the distance from the city centre.
Train stations
Offices 7Palermo Porto
Palermo Politeama
Palermo Notarbartolo
Palermo Francia
City centre
Offices 3Further from the centre
Offices 1Brancaccio
Palermo by car
Palermo sprawls across the Conca d’Oro, a citrus basin ringed by mountains, where Norman mosaics and Arab domes share a single block. Street markets set the rhythm of the morning, and the fish stalls close before lunch.
Driving in Palermo
Palermo is reached by A19, A29 and SS113. Palermo has a low-emission zone: check that the car meets its emission rules before driving in. Parking in the centre is paid and marked by zone. Streets in the old centre are narrow, a smaller car is easier.
Where to park
Car theft is a serious problem in Italy, so in Palermo a private, secure car park is the advised place to leave a vehicle. Insurance may not be valid if the car is not kept in a secure car park.
Arriving by road
Palermo is a junction of the Sicilian road network, where the A29 leads to the airport and Mazara del Vallo, the A19 to Catania and the A20 to Messina, and European route E90 passes through. The SS121, SS186 and SS624 national roads also start in the city, where traffic rules are widely ignored and driving is hazardous.
From the airport without a car
Trains for Palermo Centrale depart from Punta Raisi station in the basement of the Palermo Airport terminal, and the same station is also served by trains from Palermo Notarbartolo and Palermo Francia. Shuttle buses connect the airport with the city centre train station; at the airport tickets are bought from an office beside the bus, while in town the driver sells them.
Popular searches in Palermo
One click to the results with the filter already set.
Day trips from Palermo
- Monreale7 km
- Alcamo38 km
- Trapani73 km
Rules of the road in Italy
- Speed limits
- 50 / 90 / 130 km/h
- Alcohol limit
- 0.5 ‰
- Motorway tolls
- motorway tolls paid at the barrier
What kind of car do you need?
Typical capacity for the category — the exact model is confirmed by the rental company at booking.
Frequently asked questions
Italy: which side of the road do they drive on?
On the right. Speed limits are posted at the roadside and differ between towns, open roads and motorways.
Which currency will I be charged in?
Prices are usually set in EUR. The rental company sets both the price and the deposit, and shows them before you book.
Can I drive the car into another country?
Often yes within the EU, but never assume it. Crossing a border has to be allowed by the rental company and usually costs extra, so check the terms before you book.
Is there a low-emission zone in Palermo?
Yes. Palermo has a low-emission zone, and cars have to meet its emission rules to drive in.
Where do I park in the centre of Palermo?
Parking in the centre is paid and marked by zone.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
A non-EU licence must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit.
What are the speed limits in Italy?
50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on open roads, 130 km/h on motorways.
Are the motorways tolled?
Motorways charge at the barrier. Payment is by cash, card or an electronic tag.
Where can I pick up a rental car in Palermo?
At Palermo Porto: Avis and an independent office. At Palermo Politeama: Hertz. At Palermo Notarbartolo: Europcar, Locauto and Maggiore. At Palermo Francia: Drivalia. In the city centre: Sicily by Car and Autovia. In Brancaccio: an independent office. More rental desks are at Falcone–Borsellino Airport.