By rail
Trains
From high-speed Frecciarossa services along the Adriatic to the little Ferrovie del Sud Est that links the trulli towns — and the narrow-gauge FAL up to Matera.
Network
Puglia's train lines
Click any station for the operator and line name. Four operators share the region: Trenitalia along the coast, Ferrovie del Sud Est through the inland valleys, Ferrotramviaria north of Bari, and FAL across to Matera.
Operators & tickets
Who runs what — and how to buy tickets
Trenitalia — Adriatic main line
The national operator runs every level of service along the Adriatic coast: high-speed Frecciarossa and Frecciargento from Milan, Bologna and Rome down to Lecce, slower Intercity trains, and frequent Regionale trains that stop in Trani, Bisceglie, Molfetta, Bari, Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, Fasano, Ostuni, Brindisi and Lecce.
How to buy tickets
Book Frecce and Intercity in advance for the best prices — assigned seats, no validation needed. Regionale tickets are open-date until you board: if you bought a paper ticket, stamp it in the green machine on the platform; the app activates it automatically. Children under 4 travel free; under 15 get steep discounts on Frecce.
Tip: The Trenitalia app is the easiest option — same prices as the website, with a QR code shown directly to the conductor.
Ferrovie del Sud Est (FSE)
The little regional railway that connects the trulli towns. Two main routes start from Bari: one heads through Putignano, Alberobello, Locorotondo and Martina Franca on to Francavilla Fontana and Lecce; the other branches from Martina Franca down to Taranto. Slow, scenic, single track for much of the way — often the most charming way to reach Alberobello.
How to buy tickets
FSE is now operated by Trenitalia, so tickets are sold through the same channels: the Trenitalia website and app, station ticket machines, and tabacchi shops. Select 'Regionale' and search e.g. 'Bari – Alberobello'. Paper tickets must be validated in the green machine before boarding. Some rural sections are replaced by a connecting bus (servizio sostitutivo) — the booking shows this automatically.
Tip: Trains run roughly hourly on weekdays and are reduced on Sundays and public holidays. Allow extra time between connections.
Ferrotramviaria (FNB)
Privately operated regional line known locally as Ferrovie del Nord Barese. It runs from Bari Centrale via Bari Airport and Bitonto up to Ruvo, Corato, Andria and Barletta — the easiest train link between Bari Airport and the city, and the main way to reach Andria's Castel del Monte area by rail.
How to buy tickets
Buy tickets at FNB ticket machines, station counters, tabacchi shops, or in the FNB / Ferrotramviaria app. The airport line has a fixed €5 fare from Bari Aeroporto to Bari Centrale. Paper tickets must be validated at the orange/yellow FNB machine on the platform before boarding.
Tip: Trains run roughly every 30 minutes on the airport line during the day, with reduced service on Sundays.
Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL)
The narrow-gauge regional line linking Bari with Altamura and Matera — the only direct rail option to Matera from Puglia. Trains depart from a dedicated FAL platform next to Bari Centrale and the ride takes about 1h 30min.
How to buy tickets
Tickets are sold at FAL ticket counters and machines at Bari Centrale, at tabacchi shops, and through the FAL Bus & Train app. Standard single Bari – Matera is around €6. Validate paper tickets before boarding. Sundays and holidays are often served by a replacement bus from the same departure point.
Tip: Always double-check whether your departure is a train or a sostitutivo bus — both leave from the FAL area at Bari Centrale.