Private car transfer
from Palermo to Syracuse
in 2 h 50 min
per seat
car
Trip Information
Pick-up
Your driver will meet you at your address in Palermo.
- Door-to-door service
- Help with your luggage
Trip
You’ll travel in comfort for 2 h 50 min.
- Optional sight-seeing
- Clean, comfortable car
- Professional driver
- Bottled water
- Child seats
- Prepared for handicapped
- Smoke-free
- Pet friendly
Drop-off
Your driver will drop you off at your address in Syracuse.
- Door-to-door service
- Help with your luggage
- 259 km
- 2 h 50 min
Overview: car trip from Palermo to Syracuse
Your car trip from Palermo to Syracuse will take you right across Sicily. Watch vineyards, citrus groves, and grazing animals pass by your window as you go through the agricultural heart of the island. The A19 cuts right across and is the fastest roadway to Catania. From Catania, you’ll take the E45 south to Syracuse.
A private driver is a great middle ground between driving a rental car and taking mass transit. Your local driver will expertly navigate the notorious Sicilian roads and get you safely to your local excursions, and finally to Syracuse by the end of the day
About Syracuse
Syracuse is an eternally sunny destination on Sicily's southeastern coast. Sicily was a main battleground in southern Europe for both Greek and Roman conquest. Its central location was an ideal docking point between the Tyrrhenian, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas. A drive from Palermo to Syracuse cuts right across the island and you’ll be able to imagine all the past empires that wanted this particular spot in the sea.
Syracuse’s metro area today is home to over 600,000 people and bears ancient ruins from its many past empires. Its historic downtown is its own island with romantic views of the sea. Syracuse is a short distance from Sicily’s busiest airport, the Catania Fontanarossa Airport, and is a natural last stop before departing from your Italian vacation.
From Palermo to Syracuse: travel tips
Follow these travel tips so your Palermo to Syracuse trip goes as smoothly as possible!
Get an early start
Sicily is warm and sunny almost year-round, so leaving Palermo early in the day means you can experience your first excursion before the sun gets too strong. A wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle go a long way in making you feel as comfortable as possible.
Dress for the occasion
The excursions you plan to do during your trip will dictate how you should dress. For any visit to the many churches and cathedrals along the way, make sure you follow the modest dress code. You can make an existing outfit more cathedral-friendly by adding a shawl or changing into longer pants when you arrive.
How to get from Palermo to Syracuse
A drive in a car or bus straight across Sicily from Palermo to Syracuse is 160 miles (260 km), while the train hugs the northern coast and covers 250 miles (400 km).
Private car service from Palermo to Syracuse
With a private car service like Daytrip, you can have a customized experience across Sicily. Your driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Palermo and take you safely to your accommodation in Syracuse.
Daytrip isn't just more convenient than the bus or train though. Along with being able to talk with your English-speaking driver about local culture, you can even stop for sightseeing along the way. You wouldn't want to miss the finest Roman mosaics in the world at UNESCO-listed Villa Romana del Casale, would you?
Trains from Palermo to Syracuse
All train rides from Palermo to Syracuse require at least one transfer, usually in Messina. Tickets start at $26 (24 EUR) and the trip takes between 4.5 and 7.5 hours, making it one of the least effective ways to get around Sicily.
Buses from Palermo to Syracuse
Direct buses between Syracuse and Palermo take 3.5 hours and are operated by Interbus. Tickets can be had as low as $15 (14 EUR). Once in Syracuse, you’ll still need to get a taxi from the bus station to your accommodation.
Things to do when you get to Syracuse
Once you finish your excursions on your drive from Palermo to Syracuse, check out all this seaside city has to offer!
Go sailing in the Mediterranean
Boat tours can take you and your family around the coastline of Syracuse. Go diving in the crystal-clear waters, take a tour of sea caves and rock formations, and soak up the Mediterranean sun all on a private boat!
Head south to see the Plemmirio Nature Reserve for snorkeling, swimming, and bird watching. You can even dive from the rocky cliffs if you’re feeling adventurous. The nature reserve has 35 access points, a few of which are handicapped accessible.
Some boat operators also do sunset dinner cruises with an onboard chef. Buon appetito!
Head downtown on Ortigia Island
Syracuse’s downtown is on Ortigia Island, where you can find the Cathedral of Syracuse, enjoy the waterfront promenade, and even see the Fountain of Arethusa. According to Greek mythology, this freshwater spring marks where the nymph Arethusa resurfaced after escaping from Arcadia.
Explore the Archaeological Park
At the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, you can see iconic sites like the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, and the Ear of Dionysius. This site spans many acres, so give yourself time to walk around the site and plan for an early arrival to beat the heat.
When is the best time to visit Syracuse
Sicily is best visited during spring and fall. Temperatures in summer tend to be in the high 80°s F (29° C) but can be as high as 100° F (38° C) during a heatwave—too hot for outdoor tours of the Archaeological Park of Neapolis.
Instead, come during the shoulder seasons when the weather is a more pleasant 75° F (29° C). And if the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean aren't cutting it, you can always cool off with a trip to the underground Catacombs of San Giovanni.
Questions & Answers about Traveling from Palermo to Syracuse
Visit these sights on the way
Castello di Caccamo
In this dramatic clifftop castle, the Normans plotted to overthrow the King of Sicily. The Castle of Conspiracy
Cefalu
With one of Sicily’s finest beaches, and a UNESCO-listed cathedral, this picturesque medieval village is a coastal jewel. The King of the Coast
Sanctuary of Gibilmanna
This beautiful Baroque church is filled with artwork inspired by miraculous visions of Mary and Jesus. The Face of Christ
Enna
Perched atop a plateau, this historic city offers beautiful views, and beautiful architecture, including a UNESCO-listed cathedral. The Belvedere of Sicily
Villa Romana del Casale
The multitude of mosaics that cover the floors of this UNESCO-listed Roman villa are the finest in the world. Moneyed Mosaics
Catania
Built from grey lava stone, the UNESCO-listed historic center of Sicily’s second largest city is a Baroque wonderland. Gorgeous in Grey
Why people love Daytrip
- 200 travelers took this route with us
Excellent service for transfers in Thailand
“I was unsure about this company but a few good reviews on Trip Advisor made me take the chance. I am so happy that we did. We needed a ride from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Our driver Saksun was an excellent driver - it's not a long distance to drive (by Texas standards!) but the road is challenging and there are a lot of places where improvements to the road are being made. It took around 3 hours with a stop at a place with very clean bathrooms, very interesting hot springs and a place to get a snack and cold drinks. Saksun had a vehicle that was fantastic for this type of drive - a very comfortable ride indeed and was obviously well maintained and very clean. I highly recommend this company. I used to post on trip advisor as "lakekariba" but got out of the habit of doing so. This company was so easy to use and the result was so enjoyable that I felt that the company Daytrip and the driver Saksun had earned our trust and a glowing review. Gillian and Ted Pearsall Austin, Texas”
lakekariba
Dec 4, 2024Excellent option to get to Vienna to Budapest!
“We used Daytrip to travel between Budapest and Vienna with a 2 hour stop for lunch in Bratislava. Our driver Zsombor arrived on time at our hotel in Budapest and was very friendly and informative throughout our trip. His vehicle was roomy and clean and he was kind enough to provide us with some bottled water for the trip. Our quick visit stop in Bratislava was very nice as well. He gave us plenty of time to explore the city and have lunch before meeting him again when it was time to head for Vienna. Daytrip provided us with a happy and trouble free transfer between Budapest and Vienna. Many thanks to your team and especially to your driver Zsombor!”
pgh1125
Dec 3, 2024Great communication with an actual person! They will take you ANYWHERE, No pre-set routes to choose from!
“Last minute plan change and Daytrip was our last resort so I chatted with them and had an immediate response from a real person, best situation ever. Never used Daytrip before but the reviews were incredible so we took the chance and booked a driver at like 11-12pm and by 7am the next morning when we woke, they found us a driver and the driver had already texed us making contact! Very impressed and will definitely use them again. We went from Dubrovnik, Croatia to Tivat, Montenegro.”
James B
Nov 9, 2024Perfect Transport
“Andreas did a great job picking us up from Pireaus Cruise Port and taking us to our rental in Spata. The three of us had been on a long cruise and had 9 pieces of luggage. He arrived in an appropriate vehicle and loaded and unloaded all of it. We are very happy with out decision to book with Daytrip.”
LuckyTraveler01
Nov 1, 2024Vehicle options for this trip
Most popular
Sedan
- 1-3
- 3x
- 3x
- Clean
- Comfortable
- Air conditioned
- Handicapped accessible
- Child seats
- Pet friendly
- Smoke-free
The Daytrip driver advantage
Local knowledge about the route from Palermo to Syracuse
Including available sights:English speaking*
All Daytrip drivers speak English* as well as their native language (and sometimes additional languages too!). They'll be happy to discuss local history and culture with you, as well as answer any questions you may have. And because they speak the language, they're able to provide you with a unique opportunity to connect with local culture. *Drivers for Lite service aren't required to speak English but must meet all other standards.
Safety first!
We screen all our drivers for criminal and traffic records, and personally interview each one. We also inspect their cars for safety, comfort, and reliability. All cars must be less than ten years old, in excellent operating condition, and insured as required by local law. And because our drivers are locals, they're familiar with the rules and customs of the road.
World-class customer support
- Available 24/7
- Close relationship with drivers
- Experts on the route from Palermo to Syracuse
Flexible cancellation policy
- Cancellations: 100% refund up to 24 hours before the trip!
- Changes: Free up to 24 hours before the trip!
Good to know
Children
If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!
Pets
Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
Tips
Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).
Luggage
- Big luggage
- 29x21x11 inches
- 74x53x28 cm
- Small luggage
- 22x14x9 inches
- 56x36x23 cm
Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.
Payment methods
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, here are the answers.
Daytrip is the most convenient way to experience 13,800+ cities around the world.
Every traveler deserves real insight into the cultures of the countries they’re visiting. And every amazing place on Earth deserves to be visited and appreciated. We believe unique local knowledge and real human connection are irreplaceable when it comes to truly comprehending another culture.
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