How to get to Brindisi: train, plane, car and ferry

How to get to Brindisi

Brindisi, the historic gateway to the East and today's gateway to Salento, is one of Puglia's most accessible cities thanks to its international airport, a port with connections to Greece and a well-connected rail network. An ideal starting point for exploring the lower Salento, it offers multiple travel options.

Getting there by train

Brindisi station is served by Trenitalia's Frecce and Intercity services. Frecciarossa trains connect Milan to Brindisi in about 8 hours, calling at Bologna, Rimini, Ancona, Pescara, Foggia and Bari. From Rome, the Frecciargento journey takes about 5 hours via Caserta.

From Bari Centrale, regional and Intercity trains reach Brindisi in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. From Lecce, the journey is short: just 25-30 minutes by regional train. The Ferrovie del Sud Est connect Brindisi to Ostuni, Ceglie Messapica and the inland towns.

Practical tips

• Intercity Night trains from Rome and the North are a convenient option to arrive in the morning
• The station is just a few minutes' walk from the seafront and the Roman Column
• For Ostuni and the Valle d'Itria, FSE trains depart from the central station

Getting there by plane

Salento Airport (BDS) is located in Casale, about 4 km from the centre of Brindisi. It is one of Southern Italy's busiest airports, with direct flights from Milan, Rome, Turin, Bologna, Venice, Pisa and numerous European cities operated by Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air and ITA Airways.

From the airport, the quickest connection is the Stp/Cotrap shuttle reaching the railway station and the centre in about 15 minutes. Taxis have a fixed fare of about 20-25 euros to the city centre.

In summer, low-cost flights connect Brindisi to London, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Geneva and many other European destinations, making the city easily reachable from abroad.

Getting there by car

Short stretches of dual carriageway connect Brindisi to Puglia's main arteries. From the A14 (Bari Nord exit), continue on the SS16 Adriatica or the SS379 (Bari-Brindisi-Lecce dual carriageway), a fast and smooth connection taking about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

From Rome, the most direct route goes via the A1 to Naples, then the A16 to Canosa, the A14 to Bari and finally the dual carriageway to Brindisi: about 570 km in 6 hours. From Lecce, it is just 35 km of dual carriageway.

Parking

• Porto car park: convenient for the historic centre and ferry embarkation
• Lungomare Regina Margherita: paid parking with views over the inner harbour
• In summer, parking areas along the seafront fill up quickly: arrive in the morning

Getting there by bus

FlixBus connects Brindisi with Rome, Naples, Milan, Bologna and other Italian cities. Regional Stp bus services offer extensive connections to Salento towns, Taranto, Lecce and Bari.

The intercity bus station is near the railway station. Travel times from Rome are about 7 hours, but fares start from just a few euros when booked in advance.

Getting there by sea

The port of Brindisi is one of the main terminals for ferries to Greece and Albania. Grimaldi Lines and European Seaways operate routes to Igoumenitsa, Corfu and Vlora. Crossings to Greece take about 7-10 hours, with evening departures and morning arrivals.

The ferry terminal is in the city centre, a short distance from the railway station, making it easy to combine train and ship.

Getting around the city

Stp manages urban public transport. The historic centre is compact and easily explored on foot, from the Swabian Castle to the Roman Column at the end of the Via Appia. To reach the beaches of Torre Guaceto or Punta della Contessa, having a car is recommended.

Bicycles are an excellent way to get around along the seafront. For excursions to Ostuni, Cisternino and the Valle d'Itria, regional trains and Stp buses are a valid alternative to driving.

Discover Brindisi

Now that you know how to get there, plan your visit:

• Where to stay in Brindisi for finding the perfect accommodation
• What to see in Brindisi in 2 days for an itinerary between history and sea
• Where to eat in Brindisi to taste the flavours of Salento