How to get to Gallipoli: train, plane, car and bus
Complete guide to reaching Gallipoli by train, plane, car and bus. The Ionian pearl of Salento with connections from Lecce, Bari, Rome and Milan.
Foto: Colar (CC BY-SA 3.0) — Wikimedia Commons
How to get to Gallipoli
Gallipoli, the pearl of the Ionian Sea, is a city of irresistible charm: an ancient borough on an island connected to the mainland by a seventeenth-century bridge, golden beaches and some of the most beautiful sea in Salento. Reaching it requires a few extra steps compared to major cities, but it is worth every minute.
By train
Gallipoli has a railway station served by Ferrovie del Sud Est (FSE), with connections from Lecce. The FSE line is narrow gauge, slower than Trenitalia trains but scenic and full of character.
- Lecce - Gallipoli: about 1 hour 15 minutes by FSE, ticket about 5 euros
- Frequency: 5-8 services per day, more frequent in summer
From Rome, Milan or other cities: take a high-speed train to Lecce (about 5 hours 30 minutes from Rome, 7 hours from Milan), then change for the FSE to Gallipoli.
Gallipoli station is in the new town, about 10 minutes' walk from the historic centre.
By plane
The nearest airports to Gallipoli are:
- Brindisi-Casale Airport (Papola): about 80 km (1 hour 10 minutes by car). Direct flights from Rome, Milan, Turin, Bologna, Venice and European cities with Ryanair, EasyJet and ITA Airways
- Bari-Palese Airport (Karol Wojtyla): about 190 km (2 hours by car), larger but further away
From Brindisi airport to Gallipoli:
- SalentoBus: summer shuttle service direct to Gallipoli, about 1 hour 30 minutes
- Train to Lecce + FSE: about 2 hours total
- Private transfer: about 90-100 euros
- Car rental: the most practical solution, all companies at the airport
By car
Gallipoli is reachable via the dual carriageway crossing Salento.
- From Lecce: about 40 minutes via SS101 (40 km), a fast and comfortable four-lane road
- From Brindisi: about 1 hour 10 minutes via SS613 + SS101 (80 km)
- From Bari: about 2 hours 30 minutes via E55 + SS101 (180 km)
- From Taranto: about 1 hour 30 minutes via SS174 (100 km)
- From Rome: about 6 hours via A1 + A14 + SS101 (600 km)
- From Naples: about 4 hours 30 minutes via A16 + A14 + SS101 (410 km)
Parking in the old town is impossible (the island is entirely pedestrianised). Park in the new town car parks: near the covered market or along the seafront. In summer spaces fill up quickly, so arrive early.
By bus
FSE and STP buses connect Gallipoli to Salento:
- Gallipoli - Lecce: about 1 hour, frequent services
- Gallipoli - Otranto: about 1 hour 30 minutes (with change at Maglie)
- Gallipoli - Santa Maria di Leuca: about 1 hour
In summer, services are increased with shuttles to the most famous beaches in the area: Baia Verde, Punta della Suina, Lido Pizzo.
FlixBus operates seasonal direct connections from Rome, Milan and Bologna.
Getting around Gallipoli and surroundings
Gallipoli's historic centre is explored exclusively on foot. The island is small and every corner reveals beautiful views: Baroque churches, noble palaces, the Angevin-Aragonese castle and the bastions overlooking the sea.
For the beaches:
- Baia Verde: the most famous, about 3 km from the centre, reachable by bus or car
- Punta della Suina: natural beach, about 5 km south
- Lido Pizzo: among the most beautiful, about 4 km from the centre
- Spiaggia della Purita: the only beach in the old town, at the foot of the bastions
Practical tips
- A car is almost essential for exploring Salento from Gallipoli
- In summer, traffic on the SS101 and the entrance to Gallipoli gets congested: avoid the 10 AM-12 PM and 4-6 PM time slots
- In the evening the old town comes alive with bars, restaurants and the seafront promenade
- For day trips: Otranto, Santa Maria di Leuca and the Maldives of Salento are within easy reach
Discover Gallipoli
Now that you know how to get there, plan your stay with our guides:
Practical info
What's the best time of year to visit Gallipoli?
April, May, June, September and October is ideal: those are the months with less tourist traffic.
Is Gallipoli a crowded tourist spot?
Compared to the more touristy destinations, Gallipoli is not very crowded.
What area is Gallipoli in?
Gallipoli lies in Puglia, Italia.
How to get there
- 🚆 Nearest station: Gallipoli ~0 km as the crow flies
- ✈️ Nearest airport: Aeroporto "Fortunato Cesari" LCC ~24 km as the crow flies
Nearest points as the crow flies (source OpenStreetMap): actual times depend on the roads, often mountain ones.
