Bari to Brindisi

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 6 min read

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Bari to Brindisi is a short, easy journey across the heel of Puglia — roughly 60 km on a flat coastal plain, with a direct regional train taking well under an hour. For most travellers, it's a quick hop between two Adriatic ports, often made because Brindisi is the main departure point for ferries to Greece.

The quickest and easiest way: the regional train

Trenitalia regional trains run directly between Bari Centrale and Brindisi station, with the journey taking approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes, depending on the service and stops. Trains run several times a day throughout the day, with reasonable frequency at most hours.

Regional trains on this route do not require advance seat reservations — you can buy a ticket at the station, at a self-service machine, or via the Trenitalia app, and board the next available train. This makes the journey very straightforward and entirely flexible. Fares are modest, as you'd expect for a short regional journey.

The Ferrovie del Sud Est alternative

In addition to Trenitalia, Ferrovie del Sud Est (FSE), a regional operator, also runs services in Puglia and may offer an alternative route or connections in the region. FSE trains are typically used for shorter hops within the province, so Trenitalia's direct Bari–Brindisi service is usually the more straightforward choice for this particular journey.

By coach

Several coach companies connect Bari and Brindisi, including Marozzi and other regional operators. Journey times by coach are typically around 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the route and any intermediate stops. Coaches can be the right choice if trains on your preferred day are limited, but for a journey this short, the train is generally more convenient and not much more expensive.

Driving: the most flexible option

The drive from Bari to Brindisi is around 60 km on the SS16 (the Adriatica highway), taking approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour in normal traffic. The road is dual-carriageway for much of the route and largely toll-free. If you're travelling with luggage for a ferry crossing — particularly if you're taking a car onto a Brindisi–Greece ferry — then driving to the port makes obvious sense.

Brindisi's ferry terminal is about 2 km from the main station, accessible by taxi or local bus. If you're taking a car or motorbike on the ferry, you'll need to check in at the ferry terminal directly; foot passengers can walk on from the city centre.

Catching a ferry from Brindisi

Brindisi is one of Italy's main departure points for ferry services to Greece, with routes to Corfu, Igoumenitsa and Patras operated by several companies including Grimaldi Lines and Ferries direct (various operators serve seasonal routes). Ferry crossings to Patras take around 14–18 hours depending on the service; crossings to Corfu are around 8–9 hours. An overnight crossing to Patras can save on accommodation and is a popular option for those continuing to Athens or further south.

Book ferry tickets well in advance in summer, especially if you're taking a vehicle — capacity fills up. Check the specific ferry operator's website for current schedules and cabin options.

Exploring Puglia along the way

If you have time between Bari and Brindisi, Puglia rewards a slow approach. Lecce — often called the "Florence of the South" for its ornate Baroque architecture — is only about 35 minutes south of Brindisi by train and is one of the most atmospheric cities in southern Italy. Ostuni, the white hilltop town, is also on the Bari–Brindisi rail line and makes an easy stop. Find out more about getting around southern Italy by train.

Which should you choose?

The regional train is the right choice for almost all foot passengers — quick, cheap, no reservation needed, and perfectly timed for most ferry connections. If you're taking a car on the ferry, driving directly to the Brindisi ferry terminal is the obvious answer. The coach is a secondary option if trains don't fit your timing.

Bari and Brindisi stations: orientation

Bari Centrale is the main hub for Puglia's rail network, a large station with good facilities including luggage storage, cafés and clear departure boards — arriving with 15–20 minutes to spare is sensible if you need to buy a ticket at a machine or counter rather than in advance. Brindisi's station is considerably smaller and more straightforward, a short walk from the city's compact centre. Both stations have step-free access, though platforms at Brindisi in particular can be reached via underpasses that are less convenient with heavy luggage — allow a little extra time if you're travelling with large suitcases or a car-ferry loadout that needs to be checked in separately.

Practical tips for the ferry connection

• Check in for most Greece-bound ferries opens several hours before departure, and foot passengers should still arrive well ahead of sailing time, particularly in peak summer season when queues at the terminal build up.
• If arriving by train shortly before a ferry departure, factor in the walk or short taxi ride to the terminal — don't assume the two are adjacent.
• Bring snacks or a meal for the crossing if you're not booking a cabin with dining included; onboard prices on ferries tend to be higher than on land.
• Keep printed or downloaded copies of your ferry booking confirmation, since terminal Wi-Fi and mobile signal can be unreliable during check-in.

Money-saving tips

Regional train fares on this route are already inexpensive, so the biggest potential saving is on the ferry crossing rather than the land leg. Booking ferry tickets to Greece well in advance — especially in July and August — typically secures a noticeably better fare than a walk-up booking, and deck-only tickets (without a cabin) are considerably cheaper than cabin berths if you don't mind sleeping in a reclining seat or on deck during a summer crossing. For the train itself, buying via the Trenitalia app avoids any surcharge sometimes applied at station ticket counters, and there's rarely any benefit to booking regional trains far in advance, since prices don't fluctuate the way long-distance fares do.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the train from Bari to Brindisi?

Direct Trenitalia regional trains take approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes from Bari Centrale to Brindisi, depending on the specific service.

Do I need to book in advance for the Bari to Brindisi train?

No. Regional trains on this route do not require advance reservations. Buy a ticket at the station or on the Trenitalia app and board the next available service. Validate paper tickets before boarding.

How far is Brindisi station from the ferry terminal?

The ferry terminal is approximately 2 km from Brindisi station. Taxis and local buses connect them. For foot passengers, the walk along the seafront takes around 20–25 minutes; for vehicles, follow signs to the porto.

Which ferry companies run from Brindisi to Greece?

Several operators serve routes from Brindisi to Corfu, Igoumenitsa and Patras. Grimaldi Lines is among the established names on these crossings. Schedules and operators can change seasonally — check aggregator sites or the port authority's website for current options.