Trapani railway station (Stazione di Trapani) is the main railway station of Trapani, Sicily, Italy. Opened in 1880, it serves as the western terminus of the Sicilian railway network and provides regional connections toward Marsala, Mazara del Vallo, and Palermo. The station is located in Piazza Umberto I, close to the historic city centre and the Port of Trapani.
Trapani railway station was inaugurated in July 1880 by the Società della Ferrovia Sicula Occidentale as part of the project to connect Trapani with Palermo and the wider Sicilian railway network. Its opening formed part of the rapid expansion of Italian rail infrastructure following the unification of Italy in 1861.[1]
The first railway section to reach Trapani was the Castelvetrano–Trapani line, which opened to public service on 10 July 1880. The connection toward Palermo was completed in stages: the Castellammare del Golfo–Castelvetrano section opened on 5 June 1881, while earlier segments between Palermo and Partinico had already entered service in 1880, completing the coastal Palermo–Trapani route via western Sicily.[2]
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the station supported Trapani’s role as a regional commercial port, particularly for bulk exports such as salt, which constituted a major share of the city’s international trade before the First World War.[3] The railway also provided access to agricultural production areas in western Sicily, including the Val di Mazara wine region.
In 1937, Trapani became the terminus of a shorter Palermo–Trapani railway line via Milo and Alcamo Diramazione, offering a more direct route than the original coastal alignment.[4] The direct line was closed in 2013 following landslides, after which services between Palermo and Trapani continued exclusively via the longer coastal route through Castelvetrano.[5][6]
Modern developments
Restoration of the Palermo–Trapani direct line
Following the closure of the Palermo–Trapani railway line via Milo in 2013, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) initiated a project to restore and modernise the route in order to re-establish a direct rail connection between Trapani and Palermo.[5]
The project includes infrastructure upgrades, electrification of the entire line, adaptation to current technological standards, and the elimination of several level crossings through the construction of road underpasses. The works are funded through Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and are managed by an extraordinary governmental commissioner.[5]
According to RFI, the restored line is expected to reduce travel times between Palermo and Trapani by approximately 50 minutes compared with the coastal route via Castelvetrano. The line is approximately 47 kilometres long and is designed for operating speeds of up to about 100 km/h.[5]
Design activities began in 2019, with construction phases starting in 2022. Phased completion and the progressive resumption of services are planned from 2026 onwards.[5]
Vincenzo Florio Airport railway station
A new railway station is under construction on the Trapani–Marsala section of the Palermo–Trapani (via Castelvetrano) line to serve Trapani–Birgi Airport. The station will be officially named “Vincenzo Florio” and is intended to provide direct intermodal connections between rail services and the airport terminal.[7]
The project includes a bus and taxi underpass, at-grade parking areas, a pedestrian walkway to the terminal, and a photovoltaic energy system. It is fully funded through the PNRR.[7]
Completion of the station is scheduled for July 2026, when it is expected to enter service and improve rail connectivity between Trapani, the airport, and Palermo.[7]
Station facilities
Trapani railway station has a range of facilities for passengers, including a main station hall with a ticket office and waiting area. Platforms are directly accessible from the station building, and basic amenities such as toilets are available on site for a small fee.[8]
The station provides free Wi-Fi and limited parking nearby, and taxis are available directly outside the main entrance. Accessibility features such as ramps and elevators support passengers with reduced mobility.[8]
Additional services in and around the station include an information desk and luggage carts, and several hotels and dining options are located within walking distance of the station building.[8]
Local bus connections and taxi services can be used from the station forecourt to reach the city centre, harbour, and other destinations in Trapani, Erice, and the surrounding area.[8]
Gallery
Platforms at Trapani railway station
Station garden
Regional train at Trapani station
References
↑Ciccarelli, Carlo; Magazzino, Cosimo; Marcucci, Edoardo (2021). "Early development of Italian railways and industrial growth: A regional analysis". Research in Transportation Economics. 88 100916. doi:10.1016/j.retrec.2020.100916.
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