Compare Palermo car hire

A sunny climate, beautiful beaches and clifftop towns are highlights of road trips from Palermo, Sicily’s capital. The city is an ideal base from which to discover Sicily’s rich natural and historic sights. To get the best out of the region, book Palermo car hire online in advance and explore at your own pace.

Language: Italian | Currency: Euros (€) | Avg. Flight time: 2 hrs 50 mins

There is a good choice of car hire brands at Palermo Airport (PMO), also known as Falcone-Borsellino Palermo Airport, including Avis, Hertz, Sixt and Europcar. The drive to Palermo city centre can take as little as 35 minutes in good traffic, and you can reach the historic west coast port of Trapani in around an hour. Driving to Palermo from the airport is straightforward with the E90 being the fastest route.

You’ll find the car hire desks in the Arrivals Hall at Palermo Airport, and the rental car park is right outside.

Car rental companies at the airport include:

• Avis (Tel: +39 091 591684)
• Europcar (Tel: +39 091 591688)
• Hertz (Tel: +39 091 213112)
• Holiday Car Rental (Tel: +39 091 591687)
• Sixt (Tel: +39 029 4757979)
• Italy Car Rent (Tel: +39 091 6525606)
• Locauto (Tel: +39 091 7044013)
• Win Rent (Tel: +39 091 6511393)

With incredible architecture and a great alfresco dining scene, you might want to spend a few days in Palermo city centre before picking up your car. There are plenty of options, so you can still shop around for cheap deals. You’ll find Europcar at Notarbartolo Railway Station and Hertz on Via Messina. Budget and Avis are on Via Francesco Crispi.

You’ll find easy access to excellent state roads and highways around Palermo, making your driving adventures a breeze. The E90 runs through the heart of the city, the SS186 heads south and the SS113 runs along the east coast.

The historic centre of Palermo has a Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL), so park your car at Piazza Ungheria to explore the area on foot. Traffic congestion can be a problem, streets are typically narrow and local driving behaviour is unpredictable. Bring a GPS-enabled smartphone or sat-nav and plan your route in advance if you’re a first-timer.

In terms of parking, there are blue-lined, limited paid parking spaces in the centre outside the ZTL. Purchase a parking ticket at tobacconists, bars or shops to display on your dashboard. Longer-term parking garages are also located around the centre.

The Salt Road

Driving time: Three hours

Salt marshes, Dutch-style windmills and red-tinged sunsets characterise Sicily’s Salt Road. Hop in your hire car and drive first towards Trapani, stopping to visit its historic centre and the nearby hilltop village of Erice. Then take the scenic Salt Road from Trapani to Marsala, along ancient salt flats, lagoons and harvested mounds of salt covered by stacked terracotta tiles.

Caltanissetta

Driving time: One hour 40 minutes

Drive through the province of Caltanissetta for picture-perfect landscapes of olive groves, vineyards, orchards and tiny stone houses. Rich history is on display in Caltanissetta city, particularly at the central Piazza Garibaldi and the ruins of Pietrarossa Castle to the east. The region is also a growing foodie destination, noted for its nut-based pastries and the Averna digestif.

Cefalu

Driving time: One hour

Head east on a road hugging the coast, and you'll reach the seaside town of Cefalu. Resting on the Tyrrhenian Sea at the foot of steep cliffs, this is a town made for lounging at cafes, soaking up the sun and swimming. If you do venture off the sand to the pretty streets, visit the cathedral with its soaring towers and climb the city walls on the Salita Saraceni for panoramic views.

1. The ZTL zone in Palermo is monitored by cameras and is reserved for pass holders with low-emission cars only. If your hotel is located in the zone, ask about a pass.
   
2. The A18 and A20 motorways have toll booths. Ask your rental car company if toll costs are included in your deal. If not, keep some change handy.
   
3. Sicily's interior is mainly rural, and roads can be rather basic. Take care on single-track roads, and watch out for speedy local drivers who know every bend by heart.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.