How to get to Taranto: train, plane, car and bus

How to get to Taranto

Taranto, the city of two seas nestled between the Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo, is one of Southern Italy's most fascinating and underrated destinations. The capital of the province of the same name in Puglia, it is easily reached from across Italy thanks to good rail, road and air connections through nearby airports.

Getting there by train

Taranto station is an important railway hub in Southern Italy. Trenitalia's Frecciargento trains connect Rome Termini to Taranto in about 5 hours and 30 minutes, passing through Caserta and Bari. From Milan, the journey takes about 7-8 hours with a change at Rome or Bologna.

From Bari Centrale, numerous regional and Intercity trains reach Taranto in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The Ferrovie del Sud Est (FSE) connect Taranto to Lecce and the Valle d'Itria towns of Martina Franca and Locorotondo, with scenic routes through the Apulian countryside.

Practical tips

• Frecciargento trains offer discounted fares when booked in advance on the Trenitalia website
• The station is in the Borgo Nuovo, just minutes from the Swing Bridge and the Old Town
• FSE trains to the Valle d'Itria are an excellent option for day trips

Getting there by plane

Taranto does not have its own airport but is well served by two nearby ones. Brindisi-Salento Airport (BDS) is about 70 km away and connected to Taranto by direct buses in about 1 hour. Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport (BRI) is about 90 km away, with a train connection via Bari Centrale.

Brindisi airport is the most convenient, with direct flights from Milan, Rome, Turin, Bologna, Venice and several European cities. From Brindisi, STP buses reach Taranto directly, or you can take a train with a change at Francavilla Fontana.

Bari airport offers more international connections. From Bari Centrale, trains to Taranto depart regularly.

Getting there by car

From the A14 motorway (Bologna-Taranto), you exit directly at Taranto. From Rome it is about 530 km and takes 5-6 hours, either via Naples and the A16 Naples-Canosa, or via the A1 to Bari and then the A14 to Taranto. From Milan it is about 900 km, with a travel time of 9-10 hours.

From Bari, the SS100 state road is a fast, toll-free connection reaching Taranto in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. From Lecce, the SS7ter crosses the Salento to Taranto in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Parking

• Porto car park: spacious and convenient for the Old Town and the Aragonese Castle
• Piazza Garibaldi: ideal starting point for exploring the Borgo Nuovo
• Watch out for restricted traffic zones in the Old Town, especially active on summer evenings

Getting there by bus

FlixBus connects Taranto with Rome, Naples, Milan and numerous Italian cities. Regional bus companies Marino and STP offer frequent services to Bari, Lecce, Brindisi and Salento towns.

The main long-distance bus stop is in Piazza Castello, in the heart of the city. Travel times from Rome are about 6 hours, but prices are often very affordable.

Getting around the city

Amat runs the urban public transport with a bus network connecting the Borgo Nuovo, the Old Town and the outer districts. The historic centre on the island is compact and easily explored on foot, crossing the atmospheric Swing Bridge.

To reach the beaches along the Salento coast or the trulli of the Valle d'Itria, a car is the most practical solution. FSE trains are a valid alternative for Martina Franca and Alberobello.

Discover Taranto

Now that you know how to get there, explore further with our guides:

• Where to stay in Taranto for choosing the best accommodation
• What to see in Taranto in 2 days for an itinerary between history and sea
• Where to eat in Taranto to savour the seafood of the Mar Piccolo