I didn't drive in Palermo but I never like to drive in cities. If you're dropping the car off on a S

I'm know that I've seen this discussed but have had trouble finding this topic. luggage packing tips for travel My husband and I are visting Sicily in late Septemebr/October for close to 3 weeks. Upon arrival, we plan to pick up the car at the Catania airport before driving to Taormina. After out travels around the island, we are ending in Palermo before returning to the states. We plan on dropping the car off upon arrival in Paermo. Should we go to the airport and then go into the city by cab or can we drive directly into town and take a taxi to our hotel. I'm aware that reports say that driving in Palermo is difficult, and it seems most people say to drop the car at the airport. luggage packing tips for travel However, this seems to be out of the way and expensive, so I'm just wondering if there is an alternative. We will have a GPS, but maybe that is not the issue.
I didn't drive in Palermo but I never like to drive in cities. If you're dropping the car off on a Sunday when Palermo is quiet then it would be ok. If you're dropping during luggage packing tips for travel the week I would choose the airport. A GPS is not always reliable in cities with one way streets, lots of traffic, small roads, and road work.
We did drop off in Palermo and it was not that bad. The location was just off a big street near the ship docks. Just be sure you print a good map. Click on my name to find my trip report. You may not want a car until you leave Taormina---we got ours there after paying 70E for a transfer from Catania and 3 days in Taormina. You do not need a car there.
Once you have driven luggage packing tips for travel from Catania to the west, you will have a good idea about driving in Sicily. Mind you, hub and I never drove, but if you multiply by 10 your driving experiences in the east of Sicily, you'll get an idea about Palermo and whether to drive in it. Others, who have actually driven, can weigh in about that statement.
We flew into Palermo in 2002 (so do check for most current info) and took the Prestia blue bus from the airport. At that time, we were able to buy the ticket from the driver (it varied by bus company). It cost 4,65 and took bout 45 minutes to our area. Again, do re-check this info--I can't believe it's been 10 years!
I picked up a car and returned it in Palermo. My agency luggage packing tips for travel was not near the docks. I did not have a GPS, which meant that some guess work was involved, and traffic can be very bad 4 times a day (rush hour in the morning, two around lunch time, and in the evening). I do not recommend it if city driving in any Italian city makes the driver luggage packing tips for travel nervous. There is an inexpensive bus from the airport to the city, a taxi ride will cost 50 , if memory serves me right.
Otherwise, the safest and easiest way is to drop off car at airport and take a bus to city centre - or pay a a50 Euro fare for a cab. Be careful, and always ask the driver for a quote for a taxi ride (or for anything else really) if you take a taxi without pre booking, so that you will know beforehand how much they will charge.
In Sicily you can easily lower a price if you barter for a better deal - it used to be so funny in our younger days at the market in Catania where we used to buy clothes, shoes etc. We would lower the price, then if they do not agree to it, we leave the stall, and often you see them calling us again or coming after us and agree to the lowered price of the item!! I guess Sicilians try and get some more money if they see you are not a local - more than in other countries - but really luggage packing tips for travel nice friendly accomodating people nonetheless!!!.
I have this same question! We aren't considering dropping off in the city of Palermo though, since they will charge extra. We're thinking of skipping Palermo and spending our last night in Castellammare del Golfo and then heading to the airport from there the next morning. Is that an option for the OP? But, I'd also like to see Palermo so we may just drive there and park at a hotel and then drive to the airport. We are experienced drivers in crazy cities, so I'm not nervous about that, but more worried that it could take forever to get out of the city on our way to our airport due to traffic. Is that an issue? What about on a Sunday morning? Thanks!
Just retired, it depends on from which direction you are approaching the city. If you are coming from Agrigento, or the west side of the island, if it was me, I would be tempted to drop the car at the airport, since it's not out of the way.
If you have a lot of experience driving luggage packing tips for travel in crazy city traffic, go for it. Just watch for one ways, special lanes for taxis etc that go the opposite way, and 2 lanes made into 3 lanes by local drivers.
I would do as sundriedpachino says and leave the car at the Airport, then catch bus/ taxi. We left our car at the Airport and that was straightforward. We drove for 11 days and I have never seen so many crazy drivers! luggage packing tips for travel One of the nuns said to us " don't worry about the traffic luggage packing tips for travel lights, they are just a guide"! That really summed it up!
Thanks all. We booked the car on Kemwel, using the airports in catania and Palermo. In the end, we decided that, after an overnight cross Atlantic flight to Rome, followed by the flight to Catania, that it was just easier to rent the car at the airport and drive oursleves to Taormina. We understand that we probably won't use it until we leave for Syracusa a couple luggage packing tips for travel of days later. In Palermo, it seemed easier to just leave it at the airport luggage packing tips for travel and either take the bus or a taxi into the city, where we'll be for our last 4 nights in Sicily.
Another question, please- luggage packing tips for travel our Alitalia/Delta flight from Palermo to Rome (before our flight home to Boston Logan) is scheduled for 8 AM. Although not as early as some flights ( the ones from Venice always seem to leave at 6 AM), it is still early. It's a Saturday morning, BTW. At what time do we need to leave the city and how many hours before the flight is it wise to get to the airport? luggage packing tips for travel Thanks.
Visited Sicily last fall. I dropped the car off at the train station. It was fairly easy and then took a bus to the closest stop near our hotel. The bus lines up out front of the train station and we bought a ticket inside the station. Very easy, very nice bus and inexpensive. Palermo was the least favorite area in Sicily. Loved entire eastern side; travel across center to Piazza Amerina. Valley of Temples and Archeological park wonderful. luggage packing tips for travel Do not miss gondola ride up to Erice. Wished we had skipped Palermo and spent more time in other areas. Also, La Planeta does a great wine tasting at their vineyard.