Travel to & From Polignano: Polignano A Mare

Air Travel Gateways

Major Airports & Airlines

Bari Karol Wojtyłan Airport (BRI): Closest and most convenient international airport, approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Polignano a Mare. Modern, well-equipped, many connections. Brindisi Papola Casale Airport (BDS): Further south, about 75 kilometers (47 miles) from Polignano a Mare. An option, but longer transfer.

Flight Information

Airlines: Bari (BRI) served by full-service (Lufthansa, British Airways, ITA Airways) and budget (Ryanair, Wizz Air, EasyJet) carriers.
Direct Long-Haul: Limited or non-existent from outside Europe; connections usually route through major European hubs (Rome FCO, Milan MXP, Frankfurt FRA).
Seasonal Prices: High Season (June-August) more frequent flights, peak prices. Booking well in advance (3-6 months) for better rates and availability. Shoulder Season (April-May, Sep-Oct) better balance.

Airport Transfers

Bari Airport (BRI): Comprehensive facilities including car rental desks, multiple taxi stands, bus services, dedicated train connection to Bari Centrale station. Brindisi Airport (BDS): Similar, smaller-scale facilities.

Options to Polignano a Mare

From BRI: Take Ferrovie del Nord Barese train to Bari Centrale (~20 min, €5). From Bari Centrale, a regional Trenitalia train to Polignano a Mare (~30 min, €2.70-€3.50). Polignano a Mare station centrally located.
Taxi: From BRI, ~45-60 min, €50-€80. Agree on price with driver before journey.
Car Rental: Desks for major companies (Hertz, Europcar) at airports.

Flights

Direct connections to major European cities. Bari is closer and has more options. Check Dollar Flight Club for deals.

Taxi/Transfer

Door-to-door convenience, especially with luggage or for groups. Most expensive option, especially from Brindisi.

Car Rental

Flexibility to explore Puglia's countryside and other towns. Driving in Italy, potential parking difficulties in Polignano a Mare's old town.

Land Travel Options

Train Connections & Buses

Trenitalia: Polignano a Mare station centrally located. Regional trains connect to Bari Centrale (north) and Monopoli, Ostuni, Lecce (south).
Train Tickets: Purchase at station, self-service machines, or online via Trenitalia website/app. Validate paper tickets on platform.
Long-Distance Bus: FlixBus and MarinoBus connect to major Italian cities (Rome, Naples) usually stopping in Bari. From Bari, regional trains or local buses to Polignano a Mare.
Border Crossing: From another Schengen Area country, typically no border checks.

Self-Driving & Road Conditions

Requirements: Valid national driver's license. Non-EU citizens need International Driving Permit (IDP) with domestic license. Minimum age 21 (young driver fee for under 25). Credit card for deposit.
Roads: Generally well-maintained. Motorway network (Autostrade) includes tolls (A14). Secondary roads free.
ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato): Many historic city centers, including Polignano a Mare's old town, restrict traffic. Cameras enforce. Park rental car outside ZTL.
Parking: Paid street parking (blue lines), requires payment at machine/app. Free parking (white lines) rare. Parking near historic center challenging.

Road Safety & Conditions

Driving Style

Road conditions generally good. Italian drivers assertive; defensive driving suggested. Rural roads narrow.

Speed Limits

50 km/h urban, 90 km/h provincial, 110 km/h main roads outside urban, 130 km/h Autostrade. Speed cameras present.

Navigation Aid

A Car phone mount with GPS capabilities for navigation.

Sea Arrivals

Ferry & Cruise Ports

Polignano a Mare a coastal town, but no large commercial port for ferries or cruise ships. Nearby cities do.

Major Ports in Puglia

Bari Port: ~50 km north. Major port with extensive ferry services to Greece, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro. Popular cruise port for Adriatic/Mediterranean.
Brindisi Port: ~75 km south. Significant ferry port, mainly connections to Greece and Albania.
Polignano a Mare: Small, picturesque fishing harbor for local boats and sea cave tours, not commercial ferry or cruise ship traffic.

Immigration & Connections

River transportation not applicable. Polignano a Mare coastal, no navigable rivers.

Port Procedures & Transfers

Immigration: Standard Schengen entry/exit procedures at Bari and Brindisi ports for non-Schengen passengers. Passport control upon disembarkation/before boarding.
Connections to Land Transport: From both Bari and Brindisi ports, take local bus/taxi to respective train stations. Catch regional Trenitalia train to Polignano a Mare.
Refer to "Land Transportation" section for train details from Bari/Brindisi stations.

Bari Ferry Terminal

Extensive ferry services to Greece, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro.

Brindisi Port

Significant ferry port, mainly connections to Greece and Albania.

Polignano's Harbor

Small fishing harbor for local boats and sea cave tours.

Departure Preparations

Exit Fees & Timing

No specific exit fees or taxes paid separately when departing Italy by air or land. Airport taxes typically in flight ticket price.

Recommended Departure Times

Airports: For international flights (long-haul/non-Schengen), arrive at Bari (BRI) or Brindisi (BDS) at least 2-3 hours before scheduled departure.
Domestic/Schengen flights: 1.5-2 hours generally good.
Train Stations: For regional trains from Polignano a Mare, arrive ~15-20 minutes before departure. For high-speed trains from Bari Centrale, 30 minutes.

Airport & Station Facilities

Time for check-in, security screening, and potential queues.

Amenities for Departing Travelers

Airports: Bari and Brindisi airports offer shops, restaurants, cafes, duty-free stores, restrooms, often lounges.
Train Stations: Major stations like Bari Centrale amenities: newsstands, cafes, restaurants, restrooms, sometimes luggage storage.
Polignano a Mare's station smaller, with basic facilities.

Departure Checklist

Flight/Train Times

Double-check your flight or train departure times the day before you leave.

Traffic Consideration

Account for potential traffic delays if driving to the airport or train station.

Paper Ticket Validation

If paper ticket needs validation, do so at green machines on platform before boarding.

Final Departure Tip

Confirm all bookings and transport arrangements for a smooth departure.

Travel to & From Polignano