Getting to Puglia
Puglia is the heel of Italy, so it feels far, but it’s an easy four-hour train from Rome and a short hop by plane. Here is every way in, which airport to pick and how to reach your base once you land. Already wondering about trains and car hire on the ground? See getting around Puglia.
Getting to Puglia
Four ways in, and for most visitors it comes down to plane or train.
✈️ Fly
Two airports, Bari (BRI) and Brindisi (BDS), with direct flights from across Europe and the UK. From the US you’ll usually connect via Rome, Milan or Munich.
🚆 Train
High-speed Trenitalia (and Italo) from the north: Rome-Bari ~4h, Rome-Lecce ~5.5h, Naples-Bari ~3.5h, Milan-Bari ~7h. Comfortable, central-to-central.
🚗 Drive
Rome is ~4-6 hours, Naples ~3. Worth it only if you’re road-tripping in; otherwise fly/train and rent locally.
⛴️ Ferry
Bari and Brindisi are ferry ports from Greece (Igoumenitsa, Patras, Corfu) and Albania: a scenic, slower way in if you’re island-hopping.
Puglia airports: Bari or Brindisi?
Puglia has two airports, Bari Karol Wojtyła (BRI) and Brindisi, officially the Aeroporto del Salento (BDS), only about 90 minutes apart, so it is not a big mistake either way. The nearest airport to Puglia for your trip comes down to where you are based: Bari for the north and the Valle d’Itria, Brindisi for the Salento. Our full comparison of Bari or Brindisi airport goes through the drive times, the transfers and the open-jaw trick.
From the airport to your base
Once you land, the two easy options are a fixed-price private transfer booked ahead, or a hire car for the freedom to explore. As a rough guide, Bari airport to Polignano a Mare is about 40 minutes, Bari airport to Alberobello about an hour and Brindisi airport to Lecce about 40 minutes.
Flying in from the UK, Europe or the US
Most visitors reach Puglia by plane, and the two airports serve very different route maps. Here is where the direct flights actually come from.
🇬🇧 From the UK
Bari has year-round direct flights from London (Ryanair from Stansted, easyJet and British Airways from Gatwick), a flight of about 2h 50, plus seasonal routes from other UK airports. Brindisi is served year-round by Ryanair from London Stansted and Manchester, with far more choice from May to September (British Airways and easyJet from London and Bristol). For a spring or autumn trip, Bari is the safer bet.
🇪🇺 From Europe
Bari is the bigger hub, with direct flights year-round from Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and beyond. Brindisi leans summer-seasonal (Eurowings from Germany, TUI from Brussels and Amsterdam, Wizz Air from Poland, seasonal French routes), with one exception: SWISS flies from Zurich year-round. Outside summer, check Bari first.
🇺🇸 From the US
There are no direct transatlantic flights to Puglia. Connect through a European hub, Rome, Milan, Munich, Frankfurt or Paris, then take a short 1 to 1.5 hour hop to Bari or Brindisi.
⛴ By ferry
Bari and Brindisi are also ports from Greece (Igoumenitsa, Patras, Corfu) and Albania (Durres, Vlore), a slower, scenic way in if you are island-hopping.
By high-speed train
For Rome, Naples or Florence, the train is genuinely the easiest way in, no airport transfers, station-to-station. Trenitalia’s Frecce (and now Italo) run down to Bari, then on to Brindisi and Lecce.
The catch beyond Bari
Fast trains usually stop only at Bari, Brindisi and Lecce. For the towns in between (Polignano, Monopoli, Ostuni…), change onto a cheap Regional train at Bari: they’re frequent and stop everywhere.
One thing to check (2026)
There’s ongoing engineering work on the Rome-Bari line through 2026 that can alter some direct high-speed times. It’s not a dealbreaker. Just check live schedules with Trenitalia or Italo before you book.
Getting to Puglia from Italy’s main cities
If you are already in Italy, the smartest way to reach Puglia depends entirely on where you start: from Rome the high-speed train wins, from Milan or Venice a short flight beats a very long rail day, and from Naples it is a genuine toss-up. Here is how the six most common starting points compare.
| From | Best by train | Fly | Drive | Bus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rome | Frecciarossa, mostly direct to Bari, approx 3h15 to 4h15 | Bari (BRI), approx 1h5 | Approx 4.5 to 5h | Approx 5 to 6h |
| Milan | Direct to Bari but approx 7h40, so flying usually wins | Bari (BRI), approx 1h15 to 1h45 | Approx 8h20 | Approx 11.5h |
| Naples | Approx 3h to 3.5h (some direct, some with one change) | Bari (BRI), approx 1h (few flights) | Approx 3h | Approx 3h |
| Florence | Frecciarossa, approx 5h30 to 7h | Bari (BRI) via Pisa, approx 1h30 | Approx 6h45 | Approx 9 to 10.5h |
| Venice | Direct to Bari but approx 8h45, so flying usually wins | Bari (BRI), approx 1h15 to 1h30 | Approx 7h45 | Approx 11 to 12h |
| Bologna | Direct to Bari, approx 5h40 to 6h, frequent departures | Bari (BRI), approx 1h15 | Approx 7h | Approx 8h |
For the four most common starting points there is a full step-by-step guide each: Rome to Puglia, Naples to Puglia, Milan to Puglia and Florence to Puglia.
Getting to Puglia: FAQ
What’s the closest airport to Puglia?
Bari (BRI) for the north and the Valle d’Itria; Brindisi (BDS) for the Salento. They’re ~1.5 hours apart, so choose by where you’re based.
How do you get to Puglia from Rome?
Direct high-speed train Rome-Bari in ~4h (Lecce ~5.5h), or a ~1h flight to Bari/Brindisi. Driving takes ~4-6h.
How do you get from Bari airport to the city?
A short Ferrotramviaria train links Bari airport to Bari Centrale in about 17 minutes.
How do you get to Puglia from the UK?
Fly direct: Bari has year-round flights from London (Ryanair, easyJet, BA) and other UK airports; Brindisi is year-round from Stansted and Manchester, with more choice in summer. About 2h 50 in the air.
Related: Brindisi airport & port · Plan your trip · Best time to visit · Where to stay · Best towns · Is Puglia worth visiting? · Is Puglia expensive? · Travel tips
I grew up in the province of Brindisi and spent 30 years in Puglia; the Salento coast is home water. Everything above is checked on the ground; when a place slips, it gets updated. More about who is behind this guide