Where is the easiset place to drop a car off in Palermo to avoid the traffic? Will be staying in city centre and want to avoid driving in it if possible. Is the airport the best as we are coming from Erice? I am assuming there is a train from airport to city... Please advise

Hi Barb,<BR>If your coming from Erice,why not drop your car in Mondello or Monreale. You can take the train into Palermo from either of these locations.Just check with your car rental agency and see if they have a location in either place.<BR>Much easier.<BR>Have Fun.

We dropped off at the airport in Palermo on way back from Erice (you're wise to avoid driving in city centre)and took a taxi to our hotel- much more relaxing!

You will have to drop the car where there is a drop-off location (i.e. an office). This will probably be at the Palermo airport. From the airport, take the frequent bus into the City. It costs only about 5 Euros per person, and will drop you either in Piazza Politeama or at the Central Train Station. Most downtown hotels are within easy walking distance of these two stops.

I plan to spend one day and night in Palermo, then hit the road for a driving tour of Sicily.<BR>What do experienced Fodorites recommend --- pick up a car on arrival at the airport? or take bus/taxi into town and return to the airport for the car the next day? I'm not concerned so much with cost, but rather with stress of driving in a city famous for congestion and and its residents' creative interpretation of driving rules. Thanks.

Kay, driving a car in Palermo is not recommended. I would take the airport bus into town (efficient, clean, fast and inexpensive), then take the bus back to the airport to pick up the car. If your hotel is near Piazza Politeama, taking the bus will be a piece of cake. Tickets sold on board. The airport is directly along the route to go to Segesta and other points west. If you elect to take the car into town, you will need to pay for a secure garage, and won't be using it at all. And you will be renting it unnecessarily for an additional 24 hours.

Grazie, GAC. I think that's what we'll do.

I forgot to mention, if you are arriving in Palermo by plane on a domestic flight connecting FROM an overseas flight, your checked bags will go to a different carousel in a different room (for non-EEC luggage) for pickup. Don't waste time (as I did) waiting for the However, this is not the case if you check (or re-check) your bags directly for the domestic flight (e.g. Milano to Palermo)