Airport bus to Bari
A budget and convenient transportation from the airport to Bari is the bus, which stops in different parts of the city. This method is not suitable only for those who arrive late and have large luggage. This method didn’t work for me: my plane arrived after 22:00 and I didn’t make it in time.
Amtab buses (#16) run from Bari Airport to the center, making 33 stops. The route ends near the Bari Centrale train station at Piazza Moro (Aldo Moro Square).
Tickets are sold inside the airport: at the newsstand on the second floor and from the driver. The ticket is valid for 75 minutes from the moment it is validated. You must keep the ticket with you during the whole route (the penalty for fare evasion is 100 €). You can use it to change to other buses within the city.
Detailed information about Bari’s urban public transportation.
To get on the bus, you need to exit the baggage claim area onto the street, turn left and walk behind the cab stand. There will be a pole with a schedule (Orari — schedule) and buses (orange area on the airport diagram).
- Cost: 1 € at the airport, 1.5 € from the driver
- Mode of operation: weekdays from 5:10 to 21:35, weekends — from 6:00 to 21:10.
- Frequency: 30—40 min.
- En route: 30—50 min.
- Schedule: varies from season to season, check www.amtab.it
- Route: bus number 16
In fact, how long it takes to get to Bari by bus depends on the road. Transportation loops through warehouse areas and narrow streets, making many stops along the way. If there is no traffic, it is easy to get there in 30 minutes. During the daytime hours there are heavy traffic jams, in which (in the heat) you can stand for 1.5 hours. Buses are in different condition, air conditioners do not always work.
Metro train from the airport to Bari
The fastest way to get from the airport to the city is by train (actually, metro). The platform is 10 minutes from the airport and is signposted to it. In the arrivals hall, orient yourself by the FM2 sign.
Tickets at the box office and online do not differ in price. They are only linked to the date, not the time of travel. Before traveling, you must validate your ticket at the airport station in front of the turnstiles in special yellow composters, otherwise you can get a fine, and controllers are on every train.
When leaving the city for the airport, do not compost your ticket: this must be done at the gate, in the airport terminal.
- Cost: 5 €
- Frequency: 20—30 minutes
- Travel time: 15 minutes.
- Schedule: on Ferrotramviaria
According to the schedule, the first train from Bari airport is at 5:35 and the last train is at 23:38. The carrier promises that transportation follows the schedule, but once my train at 21:45 did not go and I had to wait for the next one.
Shuttle from Bari airport
Specially organized transportation for travelers are commercial shuttles. They are as comfortable as trains, always air-conditioned, have luggage compartments and usually no one counts how many suitcases you have. And they are much faster than city buses. There are as many as two airport shuttle operators in Bari: Tempesta and Terravision. Both companies transport travelers from 5 a.m. until almost midnight.
- Ticket price for any shuttle: 4 €
Shuttle Tempesta
Tempesta shuttles pick up tourists directly from the airport exit, make three stops (on demand) and complete the route at the Bari Centrale train station.
The buses are new, spacious, there is a luggage compartment.
- Frequency: 20—30 minutes
- Travel time: 30—40 minutes
- Schedule and stops: Tempesta
The first bus leaves at 5:35 and the last one at 23:10. There is also a flight at 0:10. Tickets can be purchased online or from the driver (the price is the same). The online ticket can be presented from your phone.
Shuttle Terravision
Another company operating shuttles from Bari Airport is the Spanish Terravision. The ticket is valid for any bus throughout the day: this is convenient if your flight is delayed. The first flight leaves at 5:35, the last one at 23:30. Terravision has newer buses. Unlike Tempesta, you have to print out your ticket when you buy it online.
- Frequency: 40 minutes
- Travel time: 20—30 minutes
- Schedule and ticket purchase: on Terravision
Shuttles pick up passengers from the exit of the arrival area. You can find them by following the sign. If you have large luggage with you, you can ask the driver to load it into a special compartment and retrieve it on arrival.
Airport cab
There are two accredited cabs at Bari Airport: Nuova Co. Ta. Ba and Apulia Taxi. White cars with a badge on the roof and an identification number on the door operate 24 hours. You can book a ride in advance. The cars are on the left side of the exit from the arrival area and are marked in yellow on the airport map.
The cost of a trip from the airport to Bari is fixed, depending on the neighborhood and time of day. For example, during the day from the air harbor to the church of St. Nicholas, the New Town (Murat) and the railway station — 23 €, in other areas — from 15 to 35 €, at night — from 25 €. It is better to decide on the price in advance, otherwise it may «accidentally» change at the end of the trip.
- Frequency: round the clock
- Travel time: 20 minutes.
- Order a car: www.taxibari.it or www.baritaxi.com
The same transportation operates from Bari to the airport. Train, bus, shuttles, cabs depart from Bari Centrale (train station) in Piazza Aldo Moro. You can catch the city bus and train at any stop along the route.
How to get from the airport to Bari at night or on Sunday
On Sundays and holidays, municipal bus and train schedules are slightly different from weekdays. Saturday is considered a working day. Shuttles run on the same schedule all week.
At night, the only way to get from the airport to the city and back is by cab. The last chance to leave the airport is between 23:00 and 23:30 by train or shuttle. Be sure to check the schedule if you arrive late.