How to get to Bari: complete transport guide

How to get to Bari by plane

**Bari-Karol Wojtyla Airport (BRI)**, also known as Bari-Palese, is located about 8 km from the city centre. It is Puglia's main airport, connected to numerous Italian and European cities by airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air and full-service carriers.

Connections to the centre include:

**Ferrotramviaria shuttle train**: connects the airport to Bari Centrale station in about 15 minutes (5 euros), with frequent departures
**AMTAB bus 16**: stop in front of the airport, reaches the centre in 30 minutes (1.50 euros)
**Taxi**: approximately 25 euros to the centre

**Brindisi-Salento Airport (BDS)**, about 115 km away, may be an alternative for those heading to the Salento area. Connected to Bari by regional trains (1h30) or STP buses.

How to get to Bari by train

**Bari Centrale** is an important railway hub in southern Italy, located steps from the centre and the old town. Connections:

**Frecce Trenitalia**: Rome (3h50), Milan (6h30 direct or 4h30 with change in Rome), Bologna (5h)
**Italo**: Rome and Milan
**Intercity**: connections along the Adriatic coast (Pescara, Ancona, Bologna, Rimini)
**Regional trains**: Lecce (1h30), Taranto (1h20), Foggia (1h10), Matera (1h40 via FAL)

**Ferrovie del Sud-Est (FSE)** connects Bari with the villages of the Itria Valley (Alberobello, Locorotondo, Martina Franca). **Ferrovie Appulo-Lucane (FAL)** reaches Matera and Potenza.

The station is well connected: the seafront and old town are a 10-minute walk.

How to get to Bari by car

Bari is reachable via:

**A14 (Adriatic Motorway)**: from Bologna, Rimini, Ancona, Pescara (north) and Taranto (south)
**A16 (Naples-Canosa)**: from Naples and Avellino, then A14 to Bari
**SS96**: direct connection to Matera and Basilicata
**SS16 (Adriatica)**: scenic alternative along the coast

The old town has a **ZTL** with cameras. Recommended parking:

**Parcheggio Lungomare** (near Teatro Petruzzelli)
**Station car park** (Piazza Aldo Moro)
**Park-and-ride Largo 2 Giugno**
**Seafront parking**: blue lines, 1-1.50 euros/hour

How to get to Bari by bus

The bus station is at **Largo Sorrentino**, near the Central Station. Operators include:

**FlixBus**: national and international connections
**MarinoBus**: Rome, Milan, Turin and northern Italy
**SITA Sud**: Puglia regional network (Matera, coast, hinterland)
**Ferrovie del Gargano**: for the Gargano and Tremiti Islands (via Foggia)

Bari is also an important ferry port for Greece (Patras, Corfu, Igoumenitsa), Albania (Durres) and Montenegro (Bar).

Getting from the arrival point to the centre

Urban public transport is run by **AMTAB**. The network includes urban buses and a trolleybus line. A single ticket costs 1.50 euros (75 minutes). A day pass costs 3.50 euros.

From the Central Station:

**Old town (Bari Vecchia)**: 10-minute walk via Corso Vittorio Emanuele
**Seafront**: 15-minute walk
**Basilica di San Nicola**: 15-minute walk

Bari is a very compact city and the centre is easily explored on foot. The city beaches (Pane e Pomodoro) are just a 20-minute stroll from the centre.

Practical tips

The shuttle train from the airport is the most convenient and fastest option. Bari is an excellent base for exploring Puglia: from here you can easily reach Alberobello, Polignano a Mare, Trani, Castel del Monte and the Castellana Caves by regional trains or buses. For Matera, the FAL line takes about 1h40 and departs from the underground station at Bari Centrale.

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