How to Get to Puglia, Italy: Closest Airport & Train
Planning a trip to Puglia, Italy? It’s one of my favorite regions of Italy by far and I’ve traveled all around Italy. I could say I’m in love! Having been to this charming area in the boot of Italy multiple times, here’s just how to get to Puglia, Italy. Located in Southern Italy, Puglia is accessible by train and International airport.
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Closest Airport to Puglia
Puglia has 2 main airports:
- Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI): Located in Bari. It is the largest airport in Puglia with numerous international airport connections.
- Brindisi Salento Airport (BDS): Located near Brindisi, serving many European destinations.
Which Puglia airport should you fly into?
If you wish to explore Central and Northern Puglia, it’s best to fly into the Bair Airport. You’ll have easy access to cities like Bari, Trani, Alberobello, and Matera (though Matera is in Basilicata, it’s close to Bari).
If you want to visit the South of Puglia, it’s best to fly into the Brindisi Airport. From Brindisi Airport, you will find Lecce, Ostuni, Gallipoli, and the Salento peninsula all within a short reach.
However, both airports are feasible to fly into in case one has a better deal than another. The airports are only 1.5 hours driving distance from one another.
How to Get to Puglia, Italy from Rome
By Train (most convenient)
The best way to get to Puglia from Rome is by taking a direct high-speed train from Rome Termini to Bari Centrale. The journey takes approximately 4 hours with no connection.
💰 Cost: €50+
🕒 Time: 4-6 hours
By Bus (cheapest method)
The cheapest way to get to Puglia from Rome is by taking a bus.
You can use bus systems like Flixibus or search Omio to find the routes available from Rome.
💰 Cost: €30+
🕒 Time: 5+ hours
By Flight (fastest)
There are flights from Rome to both Bari and Brindisi Airport. Both take just over an hour to get to Puglia. You will of course have to factor in 2 hours more before your flight to get to the airport.
💰 Cost: ~€83
🕒 Time: 1 h 5 min
By Car
You will need a car once you’re in Puglia anyway, so you could probably just rent one from Rome and it will make life easier!
The drive from Rome to Puglia is 5 hr 15 min (506 km or 314 miles).
Some great stops along the way to make the ride not as bad include Paestum, Montecassino, Potenza, and Matera.
How to get to Puglia, Italy from the USA
Wondering how to get to Puglia from the US from major hubs like NY, Los Angeles (LAX), Miami, etc? Sadly, there is no direct flight to Puglia from the US.
You will need to fly into a major European hub first and connect to one of Puglia’s airports or take a 4-hour train from Rome.
Flying into Rome could be a good and affordable option since you can explore it first and then make your way to Puglia.
You can use CheapOair to find the lowest fares from the US to Bari! Typically connections will be in London, Munich, Rome, or Milan.
Use the widget below to search for flights to Puglia!
Getting to Puglia from the UK or other European hubs
You can fly to Puglia from major hubs like London (LHR, LGW, STN), Paris (CDG), Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), and Barcelona (BCN) offer direct flights.
Getting Around Puglia
Car Rental
Renting a car is the most optimal way to get around Puglia. You can get one from Rome, Bari, Brindisi, or other cities. If you have a car, you have the flexibility to go on an epic road trip through Puglia stopping at hidden gems and staying in the countryside at a Masseria. Staying at a masserie is a must! It is a unique farm stay typically with a family who has their own farm. You will be in a treat if you stay at one, trust me!
Read my full guide on renting a car in Puglia which gives insight on what to expect. It was pretty easy driving roads in my opinion!
Without a Car
Getting around Puglia without a car (<–read the full blog post to know how) is not so convenient but doable. You will need to stay in a bigger city like Bari, Alberobello, Polignano a Mare, and Lecce. From these major areas, you can take a train or a bus to get around.
Note: You won’t be able to go too off the beaten path without a car unless you take part in some organized tours.
Popular tours to get you around Puglia include:
- From Puglia: Local Towns Historic Centers Private Tour
- Brindisi: Alberobello, Locorotondo & Ostuni Tour with Brunch
- Lecce: Alberobello, Locorotondo, & Ostuni Tour with Aperitif
- From Bari: Matera Guided Day Tour
You may also like these posts!
🏨 Where to stay in Puglia
🚌 Puglia Itinerary without a Car
🧚 What to do in Alberobello – the Trulli town in Italy
🤍 Locorotondo, Puglia: The Beautiful White Village in Italy
💎 Martina Franca, a Hidden Gem in Puglia
🏖️ Polignano a Mare – a guide to the most famous beach in Puglia
✨ Insider Tips to visiting the Cave of Poetry in Puglia, Italy
🪨 Things to do in Matera, Italy – Complete Guide
🏖️ 10 Beautiful Seaside Towns along the Coast in Italy
💎 20 Hidden Gems in Italy
💰 Cheap Places to Visit in Italy
🇮🇹 For more travel inspo visit my Italy section!
