Car Hire at Palermo Airport

Airport travel guide

Palermo Airport, though serving the capital of the island, is the second-busiest airport on Sicily. It is a major gateway for tourist from all over, but particularly Brits. The airport serves as a great gateway to the northwestern part of the island and some of its most scenic attractions. 

Tolls: There are some toll roads on Sicily. An example is the motorway between Palermo and Messina (the A20). Fortunately, it is possible to pay for tolls with cash. No electronic transponder is needed on Sicily.  

Taking a hire car to the mainland: Most hire companies at Palermo Airport allow their cars to be taken between Sicily and mainland Italy. Usually, travellers make this a one-way trip (that is, not returning to Siciliy). There is an additional fee for this, though it is not large percentage-wise if hiring a car for a week or more. You can search for the location where you would like to drop off the car and the extra fee will be included in the total prices. 

One-way rental between Sicily and Sardinia may not be available by the specific hire company you choose. And if they are, the fee is significantly higher than travelling to the mainland. 

So don't wait! Plan your trip to Sicily, hire a car, and enjoy the sunny beaches! And here are some destinations in the northern part of the island to put on your list: 

• Palermo Cathedral. There are many beautiful and historically important churches in Sicily, but the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of Virgin Mary might just take the main prize. Proof of the island’s eclectic past, it displays Norman, Arab, Gothic, Neoclassical, and other influences that come together in a truly impressive exterior and interior.
• No Mafia Memorial. Sicily’s name, especially in the foreign media, is inextricably linked with organized crime, but what gets mentioned less often is that some of the most powerful initiatives against it have also originated on the island – many of its landmarks bear the name of courageous anti-mafia activists, such as the Palermo Airport–Falcone Borsellino which is named after two local prosecutors, both of whom were unfortunately assassinated several decades ago. Another place to learn about this gruesome but important history is the No Mafia Memorial, a multimedia local museum that explains the origins of organized crime on the island, its impact on the local population, and the attempts to combat it that continue to the present day.
• Cefalù. Located about an hour’s drive west of Palermo, the coastal town of Cefalù has featured on a number of famous lists of must-visit places. Significantly more relaxed than the regional capital, it is primarily known for its beautiful coastline and distinct architecture but is also home to the beautiful Temple of Diana and the enigmatic Portrait of a Man, a 15th-century painting that has been likened to a male version of Mona Lisa.
• Trapani. Located near the island’s westernmost point, Trapani is another popular day trip from Palermo. Known for its lively atmosphere, the city is home to the imposing Trapani Basilica, a number of beautiful baroque buildings, nice beaches, and even the Salt Museum. Trapani is also known as a jumping-off point for visiting the Egadi Archipelago and the island of Pantelleria. The drive from Palermo takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Top international routes

• Rome
• Milan
• Lampedusa
• Naples
• Verona
• Bologna
• Paris
• Pisa

Main airlines

Many of the airlines that serve Palermo Airport do so on a seasonal basis. British Airways along with the low-cost carriers Ryanair and easyJet fly between the airport and UK destinations.

Terminals

Ther is only one terminal at Palermo Airport which serves both domestic and international flights.

Location

Palermo Airport is located roughly 35 kilometres northwest of the city. Motorway E90 connects the airport with the city. Likewise, arriving passengers can head the other direction on the E90 and explore the northwest coast of Sicily.

Most popular types of hire car

• Premium cars - starting at 100 GBP per day
• Small cars - starting at 8 GBP per day
• Medium cars - starting at 12 GBP per day
• SUVs - starting at 10 GBP per day
• Station wagons - starting at 10 GBP per day
• Large cars - starting at 14 GBP per day
• People Carriers - starting at 20 GBP per day
• Convertibles - starting at 42 GBP per day

Car hire desks

The largest car hire brands have desks in the arrivals hall of the airport. Customers check-in at the desk and then proceed to a car park just outside the terminal to collect their car.

Smaller and low-cost brands have locations near the airport and provide either a free shuttle bus or have a representative meet you at the airport.

Services and facilities

You’ll find several bars, restaurants, and pizzerias, as well as shops and duty-free stores. There are also cashpoints, a currency exchange, a lost and found office, a pharmacy, and two electronic device recharge booths. The airport is fully equipped for travellers with reduced mobility.

Nearest petrol station

The closest petrol station to the airport is an Esso station located off the E90 on Via Aldo Moro. Note that there are many reports of customers being charged exorbitant prices at this station. However, it seems almost all stations close to the airport are similar in this respect. A good plan is to fill up further away and just plan to top off right before returning your hire car.

Popular one-way hires

• Catania (238 km / 148 miles)
• Trapani (84 km / 52 miles)
• Messina (253 km / 157 miles)
• Agrigento (157 km / 98 miles)
• Taormina (290 km / 180 miles)
• Noto (314 km / 195 miles)