Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and €20 per day). Alternatively, you'll need to find a legal space on the city's streets or
piazzas. For spaces marked by blue lines, you must get a ticket from a machine (usually
every day except Sunday; see the hours of operation posted at the machine nearest your
vehicle). For spaces with signs stating a maximum parking time but with no ticket ma-
chine in evidence, you'll need to purchase a green form called a
scheda
- available from
AMAT (Palermo's transit authority) or tobacconists - and place it on your dashboard, first
making sure to scratch off the circles corresponding to the time and date you parked there.
If you neglect to do this, or if you park longer than the time allowed, you may be fined.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
due to the city's appalling traffic. Ask at the tourist booths for a leaflet detailing the differ-
ent lines; most stop at the train station. Tickets should be purchased before you get on the
bus and are available from tobacconists or AMAT booths at major transit hubs around
town, including Piazza Independenza, Piazza Politeama, Piazza Sturzo and
Piazza Giulio
Cesare
(in front of the train station). They cost €1.30 (€1.70 if purchased from the bus
driver) and are valid for 90 minutes. Once you get on the bus you need to validate the
ticket in the orange machine, which prints a 'start' time on it.
TAXI
Taxis are expensive in Palermo, and heavy traffic can make matters worse. Official taxis
should have a
tassametro
(meter), which records the fare; check for this before embark-
ing. Hailing a passing taxi on the street is not customary; rather, you'll need to phone
ahead for a taxi or wait at one of the taxi ranks at major travel hubs such as the train sta-
tion, Piazza Politeama, Teatro Massimo and Piazza Independenza.
