Bari to Polignano a Mare by train
The journey from Bari to Polignano a Mare follows the coastal railway from Bari Centrale. Polignano is on the line towards Monopoli, Ostuni and Lecce, making rail a practical starting point for a visit without a car. Choose a service that stops at Polignano, and keep the walk from the station separate from the train journey when planning your arrival.
The timetable valid from 14 June to 12 December 2026 includes an example departing Bari at 08:01 and arriving at Polignano at 08:31, a journey of 30 minutes. That example is useful for understanding the rail section, rather than the complete journey from an airport or accommodation. Check the service for your actual travel date, including the return if you are visiting for the day.
Polignano station is on Viale Trieste, about five minutes on foot from Piazza Aldo Moro. This is a town-centre reference point rather than a walking time to every address. Use the accommodation area guide to decide whether a station-side location or an old-town address suits your luggage and plans.
For families, children under ten travel free on Apulian regional trains with an accompanying adult holding a valid ticket. From ten the full age-based fare applies under that regional rule. Airport railway and Intercity tickets have separate conditions, so keep those fares distinct when budgeting for the whole arrival.
A day visit from Bari
For an organised visit rather than a transfer, this coach trip combines Polignano with Monopoli and Alberobello.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of November 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Visit Polignano on a day trip from Bari
An organised day visiting Polignano, Monopoli and Alberobello is an alternative for travellers staying in Bari, separate from airport transport.
Taxi and transfers from Bari Airport (BRI)
A direct transfer from Bari Airport to Polignano a Mare avoids changing trains in Bari with luggage. Give the driver the actual accommodation address and agree on the accessible drop-off point, especially for an old-town stay. Compare the quoted journey and luggage arrangements for your party rather than treating an airport ride as a sightseeing tour.
Bari Airport also has a railway connection into Bari. Continue from Bari Centrale on the separate coastal railway to Polignano: the airport train and the coastal service are different legs. Allow for changing between them and for the final walk. The train example above covers only Bari Centrale to Polignano, excluding flight arrival procedures and the airport connection.
Book a fixed-price transfer from Bari Airport (BRI) on Kiwitaxi.
Brindisi Airport as an alternative
Brindisi Airport is another arrival option for Polignano, particularly when comparing available flights. Assess the full onward journey before choosing between airports, including how you will reach the railway or your accommodation. A flight landing time is not a town arrival time; leave room for luggage collection and the onward connection.
For a short visit, choose the airport alongside your intended base. Staying in Bari and taking an organised outing is a different plan from travelling to Polignano with bags for an overnight stay. The Polignano tours guide explains sightseeing formats, while the arrival decision is primarily about your destination address and onward transport.
Car rental and parking
A rental car gives another way to approach Polignano via the SS16/E55 and can suit plans that continue into the hinterland. Decide how much driving your itinerary actually involves before renting for the entire stay. For a town visit built around walking and rail, compare that convenience with parking and carrying luggage from the car.
The municipal parking guide dated 16 June 2026 lists Via Marconi behind the station as free parking. San Francesco d’Assisi and Parco del Lauro/Piazzale Cristoforo Colombo are paid areas. Spaces can fill quickly in high season; the guide recommends arriving in the morning, avoiding the search between 11:00 and 16:00 and allowing 10 to 15 minutes for walking.
Polignano's ZTL uses an access-permit system. An accommodation reservation alone does not confer permission to drive into a restricted area. Arrange the arrival route and unloading point with your accommodation, and read local parking signs, including temporary restrictions. The day-trip guide helps distinguish outings on the coastal railway from journeys with more complicated inland connections.
Roadworks and an organised visit from Bari
The Via Berlinguer SS16 underpass has an announced vehicle closure from 14 September to 16 November 2026, potentially continuing until the works finish. The affected section lies between Via V. C. Basile and the Quintavalle/Via Berlinguer junction. Treat the end date as planned rather than a promise of reopening, and review the current approach before driving.
The organised Bari day trip visits Polignano, Monopoli and Alberobello over 8 to 10 hours, with return coach transportation and free time at each destination. It includes a guide, digital audio material and an Alberobello museum ticket. This is a sightseeing day from Bari, rather than an airport or station transfer to your accommodation.
Arrival questions
How long is the train from Bari Centrale?
30 minutes is the scheduled journey in the example departing Bari Centrale at 08:01 and reaching Polignano at 08:31, in the timetable valid from 14 June to 12 December 2026. Use the timetable for your travel date; airport travel, changing trains and the final walk are additional parts.
Can I use the airport train straight to Polignano?
No, the Bari Airport railway connection and the coastal railway to Polignano are separate legs. Travel into Bari, then continue from Bari Centrale towards Polignano. Plan the change with your luggage and use the appropriate tickets and conditions for each leg rather than applying regional child fares to the airport train.
Where should I park for a visit?
Via Marconi behind Polignano station is listed as free in the municipal guide of 16 June 2026; San Francesco d’Assisi and Parco del Lauro/Piazzale Cristoforo Colombo are paid alternatives. Allow walking time and read the signs at your chosen space. Central parking can fill quickly during the high season.