Car Hire at Bari Airport

Airport travel guide

The capital of the Apulia region, the ancient and picturesque Bari has quietly become one of British holidaymakers’ favourite travel destinations. While the city’s main draws are not hard to name — its impressive architecture and gorgeous beaches — there’s plenty of fascinating nearby destinations that you can also visit if you hire a car. Here’s our pick of them:

• Salento. The heel of Italy’s boot, the region of Salento is a truly hospitable and untamed place to visit. Its Ionian Sea beaches include amazing spots like Porto Cesareo and Baia Verde, as well as impressive coastal towers, while further inland you’ll find traditional cuisine and people still speaking Griko, a dialect of Greek that has been preserved since ancient times. Lecce, the largest city of Salento, is located 140 km (87 miles) southeast of Bari and can be reached in less than two hours.
• Matera. The capital city of the nearby Basilicata Province, Matera is famous for its ancient cave dwellings. The caves, collectively known as Sassi di Matera, are carved into the stone cliffs that make up the city’s relief and are assumed to be about 9,00 years old. Located 65 km (40 miles) from Bari, Matera takes about one hour to reach by car.
• Alberobello. Another settlement that is home to a unique type of architecture — albeit relatively more recent one that the caves of Matera — is the village of Alberobello which is home to trulli, a type of dry stone huts with distinctly conical roofs. While some trulli are still inhabited by locals, others have been turned into tourist attractions and accommodations. Located about 55 km (34 miles) southeast of Bari, Alberobello can be reached in about an hour.
• Lecce. Sometimes known as the Florence of the South, Lecce is famous for its refined architecture. The city is about a two-hour drive south of Bari, so visiting on at least a two-day trip might be preferable if you can afford the time for it (the good news is that you can visit the lovely city of Brindisi on the way). In addition to sophistication, Lecce, like Bari, is near some absolutely amazing beaches.
• Alta Murgia National Park. Apulia is home to stunning beaches and coastal cliffs, but the region’s inland nature is just as impressive. Made up of rolling hills, grassy meadows, and pine forests, and home to unique animal and plant species, the Alta Murgia National Park also boasts attractions like ancient caves, the herbarium museum, and well-preserved dinosaur prints. 

Top international routes

• Milan
• Rome
• Tirana
• Munich
• London
• Bologna
• Paris
• Venice

Main airlines

Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, Volotea, Eurowings, and Alitalia

Terminals

The single passenger terminal has three floors and serves all domestic and international flights. The terminal was finished and inaugurated in 2005, replacing the old airport terminal.

Location

Bari Airport is about 8 km (5 mi) northwest of the city center. Motorways SP205 and SS16, and Via Napoli are the main roads connecting the airport to the city.

Most popular types of hire car

• Small cars - starting at £18 per day
• Medium cars - starting at £25 per day
• SUVs - starting at £23 per day
• Large cars - starting at £28 per day
• Station wagons - starting at £35 per day
• People Carriers - starting at £75 per day
• Premium cars - starting at £125 per day
• Convertibles - starting at £153 per day

Car hire desks

Many can be found in the arrivals area.

Services and facilities

You’ll find a few restaurants, a pub, and a wine bar. There are also shops, some of which offer local Apulian goods and crafts. You’ll also find ATMs, a VIP lounge, baby care rooms, a pharmacy, and a chapel. The airport is fully accessible to travelers with reduced mobility. It also offers special assistance, but if you’d like this service, you should contact your airline in advance.

Nearest petrol station

Calia Carburanti, located at SP 156 Km 4+755, can be reached in about five minutes frpom Bari Airport and is open 24/7. There are many other gas stations in and around Bari.

Popular one-way hires

• Naples (255 km / 158 mi)
• Rome (421 km / 261 mi)
• Lamezia Terme (332 km / 206 mi)
• Milan (873 km / 542 mi)
• Catania (542 km / 337 mi)
• Brindisi (117 km / 72 mi)