Your driver will meet you at your address in Palermo.
You’ll travel in comfort for 2 h 50 min.
Your driver will drop you off at your address in 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
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.
Follow these travel tips so your Palermo to Syracuse trip goes as smoothly as possible!
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.
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.
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).
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?
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.
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.
Once you finish your excursions on your drive from Palermo to Syracuse, check out all this seaside city has to offer!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
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).
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.
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
If you have any questions, here are the answers.
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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