1st Class
- Power plugs
- Wide seats
- Food available
- Extra legroom
- Pets (under 10kg)
Cheapest price on 08 Sept
£102
Average ticket price on 08 Sept
£133
Fastest journey on 08 Sept
13 h 21 m
Average journey duration on 08 Sept
15 h 54 m
Trains on 08 Sept
6
Distance
729 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Bologna to Palermo is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bologna to Palermo will cost around £133 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £102.
On Tue 08 Sept, we found 6 trains from Bologna to Palermo, including 1 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 729 km distance in an average of 15 h 54 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 13 h 21 m .
The slowest trains will take 17 h 50 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
InterCityNotte 1963
InterCityNotte 770+
Intercity 723
Intercity 594+
InterCityNotte 1959
FRECCIAROSSA 9613+
Intercity 727
FRECCIAROSSA 9437+
InterCityNotte 1959
FRECCIAROSSA 9613+
Intercity 727
FRECCIAROSSA 9325+
InterCityNotte 1955
FRECCIAROSSA 9437+
InterCityNotte 1959
InterCityNotte 770+
Intercity 723
InterCityNotte 1963Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Bologna to Palermo among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the flight, with an average ticket price of £67 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 43m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.2 - 0.7kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of £67, while a train costs an average of £106.
Distance: 729 km
| Train | Most popular Flight | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£106 Average Price | £67 Average Price Cheapest | £75 Average Price | £106 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
14h 59m Average total duration 14h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 43m Average total duration Fastest 1h 43m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 16h 58m Average total duration 16h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 13h 10m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | 0.7 - 1.8kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Bologna to Palermo:
A flight is £7 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Bologna to Palermo costing on average £75.
A flight is £39 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Bologna to Palermo costing on average £106.
Other travel options to Palermo take longer:
Train takes on average 14h 29m.
Coach takes on average 16h 28m.
Tickets start at around £106 compared to roughly £106 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-0.59. The journey takes 14h 29m versus 13h 10m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Bologna to Palermo trains for today, Monday 7 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Intercity 594+ InterCityNotte 1959 | 17:25 Bologna Centrale | 19h25 | 12:50 Palermo Centrale | 1 change | |
FRECCIAROSSA 9325+ InterCityNotte 1955 | 18:12 Bologna Centrale | 15h01 | 9:13 Palermo Centrale | 1 change | |
FRECCIAROSSA 9437+ InterCityNotte 1959 | 21:02 Bologna Centrale | 15h48 | 12:50 Palermo Centrale | 1 change | |
InterCityNotte 1963 | 23:05 Bologna Centrale | 17h50 | 16:55 Palermo Centrale | 0 changesdirect | |
| Tuesday 8 September | |||||
InterCityNotte 770+ Intercity 723 | 1:33 Bologna Centrale | 17h31 | 19:04 Palermo Centrale | 1 change | |
FRECCIAROSSA 9613+ Intercity 727 | 9:37 Bologna Centrale | 13h21 | 22:58 Palermo Centrale | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Bologna to Palermo run on average 6 times per day, taking around 14h 29m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £64 but you can travel from only £14 by flight.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:39. The fastest train covers the 729 km distance in 13h 24m.
Distance 729 km |
Average train duration 14h 29m |
Cheapest ticket price £64 |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 13h 24m |
First train 0:01 |
Last train 23:39 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 42 days |
Compare Intercity Notte classes and the amenities included in each one.


Compare Intercity classes and the amenities included in each one.


Compare Italo classes and the amenities included in each one.



Compare Frecciarossa classes and the amenities included in each one.





Discover the best of Palermo — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Palermo trip today.
Important Sicilian art museum in Palazzo Abatellis, with medieval and Renaissance works including Antonello da Messina’s celebrated portrait.
Archaeological museum with Greek, Roman and Etruscan finds, coins and sculpture. A strong choice for understanding Sicily’s ancient past.
Modern and contemporary art museum in a restored monastery complex. Visit for Italian art, changing exhibitions and a central historic setting.
Monumental square at the junction of Palermo’s historic main streets. A classic meeting point with theatrical Baroque façades and constant street life.
Elegant square beside Teatro Massimo, popular for strolling and people-watching. A useful base for exploring central Palermo on foot.
Historic market district with layered architecture, lively lanes and everyday city life. Best for atmosphere, street scenes and local character.
Fried rice balls filled with ragù, peas and cheese. A Sicilian street-food classic, especially beloved in Palermo for its hearty, portable character.
Soft sesame-topped roll stuffed with spleen and lung, often with ricotta or caciocavallo. A distinctive Palermo sandwich with deep working-class roots.
Pasta with sardines, wild fennel, raisins and pine nuts. It captures Palermo’s Arab-Norman culinary heritage through sweet-savoury flavours.
Traditional restaurant serving Sicilian seafood, pasta and Palermo classics in an elegant but relaxed historic-centre atmosphere.
Historic market stall famed for pane ca meusa and other Palermo street-food staples in a lively, no-frills setting.
Long-established informal spot known for arancine, panelle and other classic rosticceria specialities popular with locals.
Moderate for Italy: street food and buses are cheap, while central hotels and seafood restaurants cost more in peak season.
Service is often included or modest. Round up or leave €1-2 in cafés, 5-10% for very good restaurant service, and round up taxi fares.
Official public transport app
Palermo Centrale -> Piazza Politeama, Palermo
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bologna to Palermo by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Palermo, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Bologna to Palermo trains use the Bologna Centrale to Palermo Centrale station pair. Use this guide to compare Bologna and Palermo train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Bologna Centrale is 1 km from Bologna city centre. Public transport options include:
Bologna Centrale has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Burger King, A Cafè, VyTA Boulangerie, Venchi, Scambio, Juice Bar, KFC, Dispensa Emilia, Lavazza, Mokà, & more
Free Wi-Fi. . ATMs are aTM is located in the main hall.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 21:00. Information desks are customer service center is on the ground floor and open every day from 06:30 to 23:00.
Luggage storage is luggage facility, open daily from 07:00 to 22:00, is located in front of binario 7 Ovest (Track 7 West).
Available at Bologna Centrale: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bologna Centrale: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bologna Centrale: Accessible facilities including barrier-free restrooms, elevators and ramps. Sala Blu mobility assistance available from 07:45 to 22:30 with advanced one-hour notice.
Nearby hotels include Starhotels Excelsior, Millenn Hotel Bologna, UNA Hotels.
Bologna San Ruffillo is 4 km from Bologna city centre. Public transport options include:
Bologna San Ruffillo has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Bologna San Ruffillo.
Available at Bologna San Ruffillo: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bologna San Ruffillo: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bologna San Ruffillo: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include San Ruffillo House, Hotel Il Guercino, Hotel Porta San Mamolo.
Bologna, Aeroporto is 5 km from Bologna city centre. Public transport options include:
Bologna, Aeroporto has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Multiple options on site
Free wifi throughout the station. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Bologna, Aeroporto.
Available at Bologna, Aeroporto: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bologna, Aeroporto: Fully accessible for disabled individuals.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need