Here’s a sentence I never expected to write: you can now get from Palermo airport to the Port or Politeama by train, with just one change, for €6.80.
Since November 4, Palermo’s rail ring (the anello ferroviario, which everyone calls the metro) stops at two new stations: Porto, right at the harbour, and Politeama, on Piazza Castelnuovo in the city centre. And until 31 January 2027, rides on the ring are free.
That’s new: the new Palermo metro ring explained
The ring now has seven stops: Notarbartolo, Libertà, Imperatore Federico, Fiera, Giachery, Porto and Politeama. The new stretch links the port and the centre with Notarbartolo station, where you can change to the line for the airport.
Trains run every 30 minutes for now. The region wants to raise that to every 20 minutes, and later every 15. You can bring a bike or e-scooter on board, and there are spots to charge your phone.
One thing to know: the ring isn’t a full loop yet. A future stop, Turrisi Colonna, will close it and connect Politeama straight back to Notarbartolo. Until then, the train goes the long way round via the port.
How the free rides work
From November 4, 2026 to January 31, 2027, anyone who boards or gets off at one of the seven ring stations rides for free, according to ANSA. The region expects to hand out more than 500,000 free tickets. Exactly how you get yours isn’t fully spelled out yet, so check signs on site or the Trenitalia app before you travel.
From Palermo airport to Politeama or the port by train
This is the part that made me grin. On the Trenitalia website I found a connection from Palermo Aeroporto to Palermo Politeama in about 1 hour 10 minutes, with one change at Notarbartolo, for €6.80 per person (2nd class). Some connections take just under an hour. To Palermo Porto it’s around 1 hour 5 minutes, again with one change.
The airport leg is a normal paid ticket. The free offer until the end of January only covers rides on the ring itself. You can book both trains as one ticket on the Trenitalia website or app. A digital standard ticket is validated automatically at the scheduled departure, so no stamping needed.
Honestly? For many travellers this makes the airport bus almost unnecessary, especially if you’re staying near Politeama, Via Libertà or the harbour. Granted, some might prefer the service of the airport bus, you only get on if there is a place to sit, and only get off at your bus stop, in comparision to a train that might be overbooked with no place to sit.
Great news for ferry and cruise passengers
If you arrive by ferry or cruise ship, the Porto stop puts you on a train straight into town, free until the end of January. The same goes for your last day: take the train to Porto and skip the taxi queue.
Personally, I’ll definitely give the new Palermo metro ring a try, the next time I’ll visit Palermo.
Crowds can build on a free ride, so keep your bag zipped. My pickpocket guide for Italy has a few easy tricks. And since the free period covers the holidays, it’s a lovely excuse to see Christmas in Italy the Palermo way.
Palermo Metro: Your Questions Answered
Which stops does the Palermo metro ring have?
Since November 4, 2026, the ring has seven stops: Notarbartolo, Libertà, Imperatore Federico, Fiera, Giachery, Porto and Politeama. The new Porto and Politeama stops connect the harbour and the city centre with Notarbartolo station. A future stop, Turrisi Colonna, will close the loop.
Is the Palermo metro free?
Yes, until January 31, 2027. Anyone who boards or gets off at one of the seven ring stations rides for free. Check the Trenitalia app or ask at the station how the free ticket is issued.
How do I get from Palermo airport to Politeama by train?
Take the regional train from Palermo Aeroporto to Notarbartolo, then change to the ring train to Politeama. The trip takes about an hour to 1 hour 10 minutes and cost €6.80 per person in 2nd class when checked on November 4, 2026. You can book both trains as one ticket on Trenitalia.
How often does the Palermo metro ring run?
For now, there’s one train every 30 minutes. The region plans to increase this to every 20 minutes and later every 15 minutes.
Can I take the metro from Palermo port to the city centre?
Yes. The Porto stop connects the harbour with Politeama in the centre and with the rest of the ring. It’s handy for ferry and cruise passengers, and it’s free until January 31, 2027.
Do I still need the airport bus in Palermo?
For many travellers, not anymore. If you’re staying near Politeama, Via Libertà or the port, the train with one change at Notarbartolo is a cheap, traffic-free option.
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