Private car transfer from Palermo to Syracuse

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).

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!

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.