In-Terminal Rental Desks Off-Site Rental Shuttles Required Documents Insurance and Extras Vehicle Inspection Route Overview and Motorway Choice Navigating the A20 Toll System Exiting for Cefalù The ZTL and Local Traffic Rules Parking Your Car Suggested Vehicle Choices for Cefalù and the Madonie Landing at Palermo Airport PMO — Falcone-Borsellino Airport, also called Punta Raisi — and driving directly to Cefalù is the fastest way to start a Sicilian trip, with the A20 Buonfornello–Messina motorway usually taking about 60–70 minutes in normal traffic. Palermo Airport PMO has two pickup patterns: in-terminal desks in the Arrivals Hall or off-site depots using a shuttle from the terminal. In-Terminal Rental Desks Most major operators — such as Hertz Italiana, Avis Budget Italia, Europcar, Locauto, Maggiore, and Drivalia — keep desks inside the Arrivals Hall at PMO, while local brands such as Bringo, Safe Car Rental Cefalù, Karym Rent, Kefatur, Sc Rental Car, NGA Cefalù, and Rent Me Now! may use nearby depots or a counter-service model. After passport control and baggage claim, enter the Arrivals Hall at PMO. Follow the overhead signs for Autonoleggio / Car Rental toward the rental desk cluster. Expect the rental desks to sit in one dedicated area, with the parking bays a 2–5 minute walk from the terminal. If you are collecting a Drivalia vehicle, the kiosk is typically on Arrival Hall Level 0 at PMO; the usual switchboard number is +39 091 6511393. If you are comparing airport pickup versus city pickup, Auto Europe as a broker can show PMO, Cefalù town, and Madonie options side by side, which helps when you want a Fiat Panda or Fiat 500 rather than a larger MPV. Off-Site Rental Shuttles Some budget operators — including Goldcar at PMO, Centauro, Green Motion, Noleggiare, Smile Rent, Joyrent, Italy Car Rent, and Stress Free Car Rental — may ask you to use a shuttle after landing. Exit the Arrivals terminal and look for the “Navetta Autonoleggio” signs. Walk to the designated pickup point just outside the terminal, often on the right-hand side after exit. Expect a shuttle interval of about 10–15 minutes for most depot-based suppliers. Plan 5 minutes for the transfer, then another 5–10 minutes for check-in and key handover at the depot. If your voucher says “off-airport”, the counter may be at Carini PA, not inside PMO, and the rental agreement can include a vessatory clause under Codice del Consumo art. 33 c.1 if the damage policy or fuel rule is unclear. A fast pickup at PMO depends on documents, the deposit preauthorisation, and a clear acceptance or rejection of add-on coverage, especially if you plan to drive toward the A20 or A19 later in the trip. Required Documents Have these items ready for the lead driver before the contract is printed or signed. Driving licence: A valid licence from your country of residence, with the Roman alphabet if possible. Passport or ID: A valid passport or national identity card. Credit card: A physical card in the lead driver’s name for the security deposit preauthorisation. Booking voucher: A printed or digital confirmation matching the driver name and dates. Insurance and Extras At the counter, the agent may offer CDW, SCDW, FDW, or a zero excess package to reduce the excess/deductible on the rental contract. Ask for the exact amount of the excess/franchise in euros before you sign, because a compact like a Fiat Panda, Toyota Aygo, Fiat 500, or Lancia Ypsilon can still carry a €900–€2,000 deductible even on a short rental. If you want full coverage, request the final wording in writing and confirm whether windscreen, tyres, underbody, and roof damage are included. Vehicle Inspection Before you leave the parking bay, inspect the vehicle and record any damage with photos or video. Exterior check: Walk around the car and inspect scratches, dents, wheel rims, mirrors, and bumpers. Interior check: Confirm the cabin is clean, the fuel level matches the contract, and the warning lights are off. Damage record: Photograph every pre-existing mark and ensure the rental agent signs or timestamps the form. If you accept the car without a signed damage sheet, later claims can become harder to challenge under AGCM consumer-practice guidance, especially when the contract relies on broad exclusions or a hidden franchise clause. The Palermo Airport to Cefalù drive is direct, with the E90 feeding into the A20 and then the SS113 coastal road or local exits depending on your hotel and parking plan.