Gravina in Puglia: Train, Car, Bus & Airport Guide
Getting to Gravina in Puglia: train on the Bari-Matera line, car via the A14, flights into Bari-Palese airport, plus regional buses and parking tips.
Foto: ToNio89 (Public domain) — Wikimedia Commons
How to get to Gravina in Puglia by train
Gravina in Puglia is served by the FAL railway (Ferrovie Appulo Lucane) connecting Bari to Altamura and Matera. Gravina station is in the lower part of town, about 10 minutes' walk from the centre.
From Bari Centrale you move to the FAL station (adjacent, entrance from Piazza Aldo Moro) and take the train to Gravina: the journey takes about 1 hour 20 minutes with trains every 1-2 hours. From Matera the journey takes about 40 minutes on the same line.
Practical tips
- The FAL line is not Trenitalia: tickets and timetables are found on the FAL website or at the station
- Trains are local and often replaced by buses (always check whether the service runs on rail or road)
- Gravina station is in the new town: to reach the old centre and the aqueduct bridge, walk up towards Corso Aldo Moro
- There are no direct connections from Rome or the north: you must always transit through Bari
How to get to Gravina in Puglia by car
The car is the most practical way to reach Gravina:
- From Bari: A14 towards Taranto, exit Poggiorsini-Gravina (about 65 km, 50 minutes). Or SS96 via Altamura (70 km, 1 hour)
- From Matera: SS99 direct road (30 km, 30 minutes)
- From Naples: A16 Naples-Bari, exit Candela, then SS655 and SP230 (about 2 hours, 180 km)
- From Rome: A1 to Candela (Foggia exit), then towards Gravina (about 4 hours)
Parking
- Free parking in Piazza Benedetto XIII, large and close to the belvedere over the ravine
- Free parking along Viale Aldo Moro, near the old town entrances
- Blue lines on Corso Vittorio Emanuele (central area)
- The old town is largely accessible by car but streets are narrow: park on the outskirts
How to get to Gravina in Puglia by plane
The nearest airport is Bari-Palese Karol Wojtyla, about 70 km away:
- **From the airport**: shuttle to Bari Centrale, then FAL to Gravina (total about 2 hours 30 minutes)
- **Taxi/private transfer** directly from the airport (about 80-90 euros, 50 minutes)
- **Car rental**: the most practical solution, with 50 minutes' drive from the airport
Alternative: Naples Capodichino airport (220 km), useful for those coming from the Tyrrhenian side and continuing by car via A16.
How to get to Gravina in Puglia by bus
Buses are a valid alternative to the train:
- **FAL buses**: on the same Bari-Altamura-Gravina-Matera route, often replacing trains
- **Marino Bus**: direct connections from Rome, Milan and other northern cities with a stop in Gravina
- **FlixBus**: services to Bari and Matera, then FAL connection
- **SITA Sud**: connections with Murgia municipalities
The main long-distance bus stop is in Piazza Aldo Moro.
Local transport in Gravina in Puglia
Gravina is a city best explored on foot: the old town with its rock churches, the Viaduct Bridge over the ravine and noble palaces can be covered in 30-40 minutes. Note: the city has significant elevation changes between the upper town and the ravine, with stairs and uphill stretches.
To reach the Alta Murgia National Park, Castel del Monte or the farmhouses in the territory you need your own transport. There are no regular tourist shuttle services.
Discover Gravina in Puglia
Practical info
When is the best time to visit Gravina in Puglia?
The recommended time is April, May, June, September and October, when it is less crowded.
Is Gravina in Puglia crowded?
Gravina in Puglia is a almost deserted destination compared with the more touristy ones.
Where is Gravina in Puglia?
Gravina in Puglia is located in Puglia, Italy.
How to get there
- 🚆 Nearest station: Gravina in Puglia ~1 km as the crow flies
- ✈️ Nearest airport: Aeroporto di Bari-Palese BRI ~45 km as the crow flies
Nearest points as the crow flies (source OpenStreetMap): actual times depend on the roads, often mountain ones.
