By Plane – The city airport, Punta Raisi (or Falcone-Borsellino as it is was re-christened after the two judges were murdered by mafia), is located some 20km north of Palermo. Buses provide a shuttle service to the city centre, running every 30 minutes; these stop at Via lazio, Piazza Ruggero Settimo, in front of the Politeama theatre and at the Stazione Centrale, in front of the Hotel Elena; tel. 091 580457. 091/580457.

By sea – National ferry companies provide services from Genoa, Naples, Livorno, Cagliari and the smaller islands (Ustica, Pelagian, Egadi, and Aeolian Islands); international services operate from Malta and Tunis. For information  contact a travel agent.

By coach – A direct bus service between Palermo and Rome is provided by the Segesta Bus company; coaches departing from Stazione Tiburtina in Rome arrive at Piazza Balsamo (no. 26), in Palermo; they also stop at 3 Via Turati. Journey time is about 12 hours; tel. 091 6167919 or 6169039. A parallel service is provided by Sais Trasporti from Rome (Stazione Tiburtina) to Palermo, changing at Caltanissetta; tel. 091 6171141.