Hi all, I’m starting early planning on our June 2026 trip. I would like people’s advice and thoughts on the overnight train from Rome to Palermo versus flying. Is the sleeper train comfortable? Is there a bathroom in the berth/cabin ? We have time to do either way, but given flying is stressful and we have check-in luggage thought we could explore the sleeper train. There would be two adults, mobile and we would be staying in Palermo for 7 nights so would also be interested in hotel recommendations. We really don’t want to hire a car as we have done it. A few times in Italy and it’s expensive and stressful! Thanks for your thoughts!

Have you checked seat61.com?

Flying will be cheaper, quicker and you'll have more time slot options.

I personally wouldn't get much sleep on that train.

If you look at InterCityNotte 36305 the overnight direct train.

You leave at about 8.30 pm. Until midnight you make a stop an hour. Then a stop a few hours later. Then a bunch more. Hard to sleep when people are boarding or getting off in my experience.


Plus you aren't checking out of your Rome hotel that late. That means you'll be wandering the city with all your bags.

Final point do you want to haul all your bags up/down the train steps?

Different strokes! I love to sleep on trains, stops and all. And most hotels will, IME, hold luggage after checking out. Lugging them up / down stairs, well, I readily admit that's not among my favorite travel experiences.

This is exactly the kind of insight I was after thank you! I did look at Seat61 but really wanted some personal perspectives so definitely some food for thought. I need my sleep so leaning towards flying 😂. I’m bound to be back for more suggestions, thanks again both

From Catania to Rome I have taken the trian.
The train crossed at Messina to the mainland of Italy. This is a wonderful expericence if the weather is good. After Messina the trip was okay nothing picturesque.
For me sleeping on an overnight train is not so good.
The sounds are not sleep inducing and you need to prepare for train departure early.

How often do you get to be part of a train on a ferry?

I know which I would do one way at least

Very true !

No contest!

An amazing unique experience, bunk beds on a train which goes onto a ferry, the ONLY place in the WORLD this now happens. https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-ro...-to-sicily.htm

Or another boring, globalised, commoditised non-event flight.

I love trains, but we had limited time on our recent trip to Sicily, so I was glad we flew (Naples to Palermo; then later, Catania to Florence). If I had abundant time and could get some sleep on the train (hard for us to do), I would love the train trip!

I am about to start planning for a possible trip to Italy in September from London. Our neighbours parents have an agriturismo just outside of Rome and we have a standing invitation to stay there and linking with one or more other destination. Puglia is and option but Palermo is somewhere that has always been on our radar (if only for the food!) I hadn't realised there was a train option, the fact that it includes a train on a ferry is and added bonus! For me at least, it is as much about the journey as the destinations. I will certainly be taking a look at that option so thanks for the heads up.

Where possible and practical, train travel is arguably our preferred option . Not for everyone but we find it more relaxed, less waiting around, see more and the option of sleeping overnight trains can also save money. A major plus is meeting the fellow passengers and chatting. Something that rarely happened on a plane. As for the time saving by plane, many time, once you factor in the loss of usable time spent in transit to and from airports, checking in , potential delays etc.. the real difference may not be that great.

Man in Seat 61 - I have been using your site as my rail travel bible for years to take the train all over the world, but mostly in Asia - Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam etc ( a modern day Bradshaws!) . How you manage to keep it updated is beyond me but thanks!

Agreed! With MANY thanks, man in seat 61.

P.S. In 1989, I rode a train that proceeded via ferry from Copenhagen to Stockholm and, a few days later, back. It was amazing! I still remember the sounds of the chains (or other metal work) as the vehicles connected, and some pleasant conversations with fellow travelers who came deck-side during the crossings. How nice to be reninded of those delightful moments!

https://www.seat61.com/aboutme.htm

k
@kja take a moment to read this truely impressive

annw, this was exactly our story in April 2022. We very seriously considered taking the train from Catania to Naples, my niece especially was very keen on this. But unfortunately we had to meet up with the rest of the family in Athens for the second part of our 5 weeks trip and had to pass. We flew instead, though even today we regret not taking the train option.

It’s obvious from this comment that you’ve never taken an overnight train in Italy. I’ve done it dozens of times and have always slept very soundly, even during the stops. However, in this case I’d fly, mainly because of the time.

Some people sleep well on trains, even with stops. Other people do not.

There are also overnight ferries from Palernmo to Civitavecchia (port of Rome). More relaxing than train or plane.

I too experienced the train ferry bit going to and from Copenhagen several times. Don’t miss it. Would fly and us the extra time for Sicily.

Thanks for all the replies!