Escape the bustle of the Eternal City for the southern delights of Puglia. Find out about taking the train from Rome to Bari.
After spending time in the busy city of Rome, there’s nothing like heading for the beaches of Puglia for a well-deserved break. Bari is both Puglia’s largest city and its capital, making it a perfect gateway into the region.
Direct trains can cover the Rome to Bari distance of 280 miles (451 km) in four hours. The drive would not only take longer, but taking the train also allows you to watch the landscape of southern Italy pass by your window from the comfort of your seat.
Frequent Trains from Rome to Bari Centrale
With the network of Italian trains expanding, getting to cities like Bari become much easier to include in your Italy trip. Thanks to the high-speed trains that now run direct from Roma Termini station to Bari Centrale station, the journey time can take as little as four hours.
There are 18 trains each day leaving Rome headed for Bari, though only a few are direct. The transfer point may be Benevento, Barletta, or Ancona, so be sure to look at each route option before booking. Some of the trips requiring a train change also use a combination of AV trains and Regionale trains. Ticket prices on this route range from $37-71.
Note that weekends and holidays typically mean less frequent service and sometimes longer travel times.
Direct Trains from Rome to Bari Centrale
There are only a few direct trains from Rome, to Bari each day. The difference in trip between direct and indirect routes is quite significant, so it would be best if you can select one of the direct options. The journey time increases from roughly four hours on a direct train to 6-7 hours if a transfer is required.
Amenities on Trains from Rome to Bari Centrale
Frecciargento trains are very similar in terms of passenger experience to the top of the line AV trains, they’re just not as fast. There are both 1st class and 2nd class cars. Passengers in 1st class cars get a free drink and a newspaper. Both typically have a cafe car which all passengers can use, and power outlets are in both class cars at each seat.
There are sometimes 1st class and 2nd class cars on Regionale trains, but not always. Because reservations are not required on these trains, you simply find an available seat on a car in the appropriate class for your ticket. There is no food service or cafe car on these trains, and although they are supposed to be air-conditioned, it isn’t always functional.
Rome and Bari Centrale Train Stations
Roma Termini is the city's largest train station, and also a major transportation hub within Rome. Many bus lines stop right outside the station, and there is also a Metro (subway) station inside Termini.
Bari Centrale is the primary station in Bari, located in the city center on Piazza Aldo Moro. It’s one of the busiest stations in the country. Several local buses stop just outside the station, as do several regional bus lines, which is handy if you’re headed to other parts of Puglia.
Journey Information
See below for details on traveling from Rome to Bari Centrale by train.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Train Travel in Italy
From seat assignments and luggage space, to the different types of tickets, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about train travel in Italy.
Arrival and Departure Train Destinations
Read on for information about Rome to Bari Centrale train stations.
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