Many of the key cities, towns and other places in Puglia can be reached using the main FS national railway system. We list these and provide further information on another page of the website, click here.

However, to reach other places you will need to rely on the local train and bus networks. Specific information and advice on how to reach some of these places is given below. We provide links to other pages of our websites where relevant, as it is best to look at our detailed advice on options available before going to particuar websites.

To provide addional help, we also give information on arriving by public transport in our descriptions of the individual places covered in our website, so if you are thinking of visiting a town, it is worth looking at our descriptions (links are provided).

We assume that visitors will be able to reach key "jumping off" places easily using FS/Trenitalia - these are listed below. These are all railway stations on the main national network. We give a few details of key bus and other train termini in rekation to the main stations.

SAN SEVERO

FOGGIA

BARI CENTRALE

BRINDISI

LECCE

TARANTO

OSTUNI (as this is where Puglia Passion visitor accommodation is located).

Please note - there are masses of local bus services operating in even quite small towns in Puglia, serving very local areas and geared to local needs eg schools, industrial estates, shopping centres, hospitals etc. We only refer to these services in a few special cases.

 

Foggia area and the Gargano peninsula

For Peschici, we suggest going to San Severo or Foggia by train and then using the Ferrovie del Gargano train service to Peschici (Calenella); there are then bus connections the short distance to Peschici itself (the bus terminal is just above the old town). The train follows an attractive route along the marine lakes and beaches of the Gargano north coast. Go to our website page on rail networks and scroll down/jump to the section on Ferrovie del Gargano. There are also bus services from San Severo (Ferrovie del Gargano buses) if the few trains a day are inconvenient - go to our website page on bus and coach services and scroll down/jump to details of bus services operated by Ferrovie del gargano.

For Manfredonia, a bus from Foggia (FdG bus services) is the best option. There are quite frequent buses during the day, with direct and more circuitous options available. (NB The FS line between Foggia and Manfredonia operates rather erratically, so best avoided).

For Vieste, you can take the train service to Peschici described above and then go on by bus (FdG buses). Or you can go by bus from Foggia via Manfredonia and the south coast of the Gargano (Sita Sud buses). For details go to the page dealing with bus and coach services and scroll down/jump to the sections describing FdG buses and Sita Sud buses.

The popular and significant visitor destinations of San Giovanni Rotondo and San Michele di Angelo can be reached by buses from San Severo and from Foggia (FdG buses). For details go to the page dealing with bus and coach services and scroll down/jump to the section describing FdG buses.

Lucera has an attractive small historic centre, a massive ruined castle and a Roman amphitheatre. It is  about the easiest "off the beaten track" town to reach in Puglia - 20 minutes by a frequent Ferrovie del Gargano direct train service from Foggia. Go to our website page on rail networks and scroll down/jump to the section on Ferrovie del Gargano.

Bovino is a small village in the hills south west of Foggia, offically listed as one of Italy's most attractive villages. It is served mainly by a reasonably frequent bus service operated by ACPT from Foggia. For details go to the page dealing with bus and coach services and scroll down/jump to the section describing ACPT buses.

Areas north and west of Bari

Go to Bitonto, Andria and other places inland north of Bari using the Ferrotramviaria/Ferrovie del Nord Barese from Bari Centrale (FNB) station which is next to Bari Centrale main station; or in the other direction from Barletta station. Go to our website page on rail networks and scroll down/jump to the section on Ferrovie del Nord Barese.

For the World Heritage Site Castello del Monte, there is a shuttle bus service from Andria operated by Andria City Council bus services;  this runs daily in summer, Sundays and public holidays only between February and March. Timetable details here.

For Matera, Altamura and Gravina, use the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane trains from Bari Centrale (FAL) station next to Bari Centrale main station. Go to our website page on rail networks and scroll down/jump to the section on Ferrovie Appullo Lucane.

Area south of Bari 

Putignano and Conversano are very effectively served by new FSE trains from Bari Centrale. There are frequent trains and the trip takes about half an hour. Castellana Grotte has two stations, one for the famous caves and one for the town; both are served by the FSE Putignano trains from Bari Centrale. Go to our website page on rail networks and scroll down/jump to the section on Ferrovie del Sud Est.

Itria valley - "trullo country" 

Noci, Martina Franca, Alberobello and Locorotondo form a group of wonderful towns, including the World Heritage “trullo town” of Alberobello, perched on the low hills overlooking the Itria valley with its network of trulli, vineyards and olive groves. All are served by the FSE railway line which meanders through this beautiful countryside between Bari Centrale and Martina Franca. The FSE also operates a line from Lecce to Martina Franca, so if you are based in Lecce, use this line and change at Martina Franca to travel to the other places. (So far as we know, there are no trains running through from Lecce all the way to Bari, but the timetables are coordinated to facilitate the change of train at Martina Franca station). Go to our website page on rail networks and scroll down/jump to the section on Ferrovie del Sud Est.

If you are visiting Cisternino, another gem overlooking the Itria valley, you  are best advised to use the FSE train service between Martina Franca and Lecce. If travelling from Bari, you will need to take the FSE train  and change at Martina Franca. If travelling from Lecce take the FSE train heading from Lecce to Martina Franca. It is best to avoid Cisternino station on the main FS line between Bari and Brindisi; it is nowhere near the town itself and there are no convenient bus connections. (However, if you prefer to use the main line rather than the FSE, there is an option of using Fasano station and taking a bus to Cisternino from there - go to our website page on rail networks and scroll down/jump to the section on FS/Trenitalia.

If you are based in Ostuni, there are a very few bus services to Martina Franca and other places in the Itria valley, and the ones which exist are at inconvenient times. We recommend getting an FSE bus from Viale della Sport to Ceglie Messapica, which are reasonably frequent (see below). This trip takes only about 15 minutes. Get the bus to stop as it passes the level crossing near Ceglie railway station. Then walk round to Ceglie Messapica station and catch an FSE train to Martina Franca, which goes through Cisternino; you can change at Martina Franca onto another FSE train which gors through theother places mentioned en route to Bari Centrale. It is worth looking at the advice on our web pages dealing with bus/coach services and on rail services, in both cases scrolling down/jumping to services operated by the Ferrovie del Sud Est.

If you are based in Brindisi, use the FS/Trenitalia service from Brindisi to Francavilla Fontana; there you can change to an FSE train at the same station. Go to our website page on rail networks and scroll down/jump to the sections on FS/Trenitalia and Ferrovie del Sud.

Between Brindisi and Ostuni

Ostuni

For travel between Ostuni and Brindisi, use the FS/Trenitalia line. Go to our website page on rail networks and scroll down/jump to the section on FS/Trenitalia. Brindisi FS station is in the city centre. Ostuni station is about 2 km from the centre, but there is a good STP bus connection.

Ceglie Messapica

From Lecce. ttake the Ferrovie del Sud Est train to Ceglie (possibly changing en route at Novoli). From Brindisi, go to Franacavilla Fontana on the FS/Trenitalia line (heading to Taranto) and pick up the FSE train there (same station). Go to our website page on rail networks and scroll down/jump to the sections on FS/Trenitalia and Ferrovie del Sud Est.

From Ostuni, get an FSE bus from Viale dello Sport (stop outside the school), which is the FSE bus terminus in Ostuni - on the websites it is called Ostuni(bus). It takes about 15 minutes direct. For details go to the page dealing with bus and coach services and scroll down/jump to the section describing FSE buses.

Carovigno, San Vito dei Normanii

Both these towns have FS railway stations on the main line between Brindisi and Bari, but not many trains stop there and they are both a long way out of town (although they are both quite close to seaside resports if that is your destination - Carovigno station is near Santa sabina, San Vito station is near Serranova and Torre Guaceto).

To reach the towns, it is better is to use the STP Brindisi bus services from Brindisi or Ostuni. For details go to our website page on bus/coach services and scroll down/jump to STP Brindisi. The terminus in Brindisi is on Via Indipendenza, near the front of the FS station (NB services also operate from another part of Brindisi, and do not go via the city centre). The stop in Ostuni is on Piazza Italia, at the top end of Viale Pola (near the Carrefour supermarket).

Between Brindisi and Taranto

Mesagne

Oria

Manduria

Francavilla Fontana

Grottaglie

The Salento south of Lecce

Maglie

Gallipoli

Otranto

Copertino

Galatina

Nardo

Tricase

Specchia

Casarano

Ugento

Santa Maria di Leuca

Santa Maria di Leuca is at the tip of the "heel" of Italy, so it is something of an ambition to reach this and look out over the sea from the lighthouse there - it is also an elegant resort, well worth visiting.

It is possible to travel by FSE train direct from Lecce to Gagliano del Capo, where the station is designated as serving Leuca. However, the station is located about two kilometres outside Gagliano del Capo, and is about 10 kilometres from Santa Maria di Leuca. Bus connections between the station and Santa Maria di Leuca are almost non-existent. If you get to the station at 9.00am there is a direct STP Terre d'Otranto service which takes 20 minutes. We have not been able to find a bus back to the station itself, and have in the past resorted to a taxi (cost 20 euros).

It is possible to walk into the centre of Gagliano del Capo where there are a few more bus services - the walk is easy and pleasant enough in fine weather, but bad news if it is hot or raining. There are a few STP Terre d'Otranto services from Santa Maria di Leuca to Gagliano del Capo, after which you will need to walk to the station if you are using the FSE trains. This is the only option outsidfe the summer months. It is easier in the summer months when there are Salento in Bus services running between Lecce and Santa Maria di Leuca which stop at the cross roads on the main road about 10 minutes walk from the station - the stop is called Via 2 Giugno/Ospedale, there is a bar there where you can wait if necessary. For details of the train services, go to the website page dealing with train services and scroll down/jump to the section dealing with the FSE trains. For information on bus and coach travel, go to the website page dealing with buses and coaches and scroll down to the section dealing with STP Terra d'Otranto - this will give information relating to the Salento in Bus Summer services and other services during the rest of the year.

Generally, because of the awkward connections to and from the FSE station at gagliano del Capo, we recommend getting to Santa Maria di Leuca by bus; in summer from various places, in winter from Lecce. However, if you are happy to pay for a taxi between the station and santa Maria di Leuca, the train is excellent.

In summer, we suggest getting there by bus from Lecce, Maglie, Tricase, Gallipoli or Otranto, using STP Terra d'Otranto Salento by Bus services. These provide a selection of routes, so you can travel there by one route and return by another - feasible within a day from any of the places mentioned. The central route takes about two hours. All routes have intermediate stops in larger twons/resorts. For details go to the website page dealing with bus and coach travel, and scroll down to the section dealing with STP Terra d'Otranto, where you will find information specifically relating to the Salento in Bus Summer services.

When the Salento in Bus services are not operating (ie between mid September and mid June), the best option is to travel from/to Lecce using STP Terra d'Otranto bus services. There are only a couple of services each way, but timing is such that you can spend a morning there if you want to return. The route is central, the coastal routes are not available. The trip takes about two hours (limited or non stop). For details go to the website page dealing with bus and coach travel, and scroll down to the section dealing with STP Terra d'Otranto.

Santa Cesarea Terme

Andrano, Marina d'Andrano

West and north of Taranto

The inland towns of Ginosa, Laterza and Castellananta inland can be reached directly via a good Sita Sud service from Taranto Mottola requires a change at Castellanata. Go to the website page dealing with bus and coach travel and scroll down/jump to the sectrion dealing with Sita Sud. The bus leaves Taranto from the Porto Mercantile, which is a five minute walk from the railway station (go straight ahead from the station entrance, stick to the main roads through two roundabouts, the road signs will point towards Massafra). There are several bus stops there, find the one you want.

Note that the coastal marinas south west of Taranto can be reached by the FS railway heading towards Metaponto.