Trains to and from Bari Airport (BRI)

Unlike some international airports in Italy, Bari Airport does not have its own railway station on site. However, this won’t pose too many problems for the passengers arriving at Bari Airport, as there are bus services which connect the airport to the main railway station in Bari. This is Bari Centrale, and it is located in the Piazza Aldo Moro square.

The buses that connect Bari Airport to the train station are the AMTAB Buses and the Tempesta Buses. The AMTAB Buses are the more economical option, and they are the urban bus service number 16. They do however take a bit longer to reach the railway station than the Tempesta Buses, as they have more stops along their routes. The Tempesta Buses are a direct connection to Bari Centrale, and they only take approximately 25 to 30 minutes of traveling time, compared to the 35 to 45 minutes of the AMTAB Buses. The AMTAB Buses leave the airport every 40 to 60 minutes, and a ticket costs €0.80 (this is the price for the tickets which must be used within 75 minutes). The Tempesta Buses are also available regularly from Bari Airport, and a ticket costs €4.15. An advantage of the Tempesta Buses is that you can pay the driver directly, and do not have to worry about purchasing a ticket in advance.

At Piazza Aldo Moro square there are actually three railways stations alongside each other, including the main station of Bari Centrale. The main station is used by Italy’s national railway network run by FS. Connections can be found here to other Italian destinations. The second area of railway platforms is operated by the Ferrovie Sud Est (FSE). These are smaller trains, and their destinations are areas within Puglia. They stop at many popular tourist destinations as well, such as Alberobello and Martina Franca. Tickets for these trains can be bought from the ticket office nearby the train platforms. Passengers may need to also ask for some assistance as to which train to catch, as the different trains and locations are not very well signposted.

Besides Bari Centrale and the Ferrovie Sud Est trains, there are another two stations, and these are operated by the Ferrovie Nord Barese and the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane. Ferrovie Nord Barese trains run inland, in the direction of Barletta (north-west). Their stops include Ruvo di Puglia and Andria (for Castel del Monte). The Ferrovie Appulo Lucane trains can be found just next to the Ferrovie Nord Barese, just up a flight of steps. These trains run to the region of Basilicata, and stop at Matera.

Tickets for trains from either of these two operators can be purchased from the office located on the ground floor, below the platforms. Passengers who are unfamiliar with catching trains in Italy should be aware that all train tickets need to be stamped (validated) before boarding the train. They are validated by inserting them into the validating machines which are available at the train stations. Hefty on-the-spot fines can be issued if you are found with a used ticket which has not been validated. Also note that the private railway lines, generally, do not have services on Sundays and public holidays. At these times, they are sometimes replaced by bus services. It is also advised to check the latest timetables before planning your trip.

Besides the train and bus services in Bari, there are also plenty of ferry transportation options, especially since that Bari has one of the most important harbors in the area. Ferries are operated by the companies of Azzurraline, Blue Star Ferries and Superfast Ferries. Their destinations include Durres, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Igoumenitsa and Patras.

For further information on transportation options at Bari International Airport, passengers can find the Information Desk of the airport in the Departures Hall.