Bauru

Bari Centrale is the city's main railway hub and one of the most important transport gateways in the Apulia region. Hundreds of trains pass through this station daily, connecting the south of the "Italian boot" with Rome, Milan, Bologna, and other major cities in the country. The station building, facing the bustling Piazza Aldo Moro, combines the convenience of modern infrastructure with classic architecture, welcoming travellers to the heart of the Adriatic.

It is important for passengers to know that the station has several levels and exits, but the main entrance is located on the Piazza Aldo Moro side, where city bus stops and taxis are also located. The station serves both high-speed national Trenitalia lines (Frecciarossa) and regional routes, so watch the information boards carefully to find the correct platform (binario).

To move between tracks, use the underpasses, which are equipped with elevators, making movement with luggage more comfortable. From here, you can easily reach the Karol Wojtyla Bari Airport: a dedicated line ensures a quick and convenient transfer for arriving and departing tourists.

Please note that terminals for other railway operators, such as Ferrovie del Nord Barese and Ferrovie Appulo Lucane, are located next to the main building. These connect Bari with neighbouring picturesque towns, such as Matera or Alberobello. Within the complex itself, you will find ticket counters, self-service machines, luggage storage, cafes, and shops.

For comfortable trip planning and on-site navigation, the following contacts and service details for Bari Centrale station will be useful:

• Official Website: Current information about the station can be found on the portal of the management company Grandi Stazioni (www.grandistazioni.it) or on the Italian Railways website Trenitalia.
• Information Phone: +39 06 68475475 (for international calls) or the unified Trenitalia Call Center number 89 20 21 (valid within Italy).
• Address: Piazza Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari BA, Italy.
• Opening Hours: The station complex itself is open to passengers daily from 05:00 to 24:00, although ticket offices and shops may have individual schedules.
• Luggage Storage: Luggage storage services are provided by KiPoint, typically located near Platform 1. Please note that this is a paid service and operates during daytime hours (usually from 08:00 to 20:00).
• Accessibility: The station is equipped for passengers with reduced mobility. On the ground floor (atrio), there is a Sala Blu (Blue Room) assistance service, through which you can arrange accompaniment to the train (it is recommended to submit a request 24 hours before the trip).

Thanks to its location on the border of the historic centre and the modern Murat district, Bari Centrale station is easily accessible from anywhere in the city. The transport infrastructure here is well-developed, allowing tourists to choose between speed, comfort, and economy.

If you are arriving from Bari Airport (Karol Wojtyla), you have several convenient options to get to the station:

• Train: This is the fastest and most reliable method. The Ferrotramviaria line connects the airport to the central station. Trains run every 20–30 minutes, and the journey takes about 17–20 minutes. The arrival station is located directly within the station complex.
• Shuttle Bus: Comfortable buses by Tempesta Autoservizi depart from the arrival terminal and go directly to Piazza Aldo Moro in front of the station. The trip takes approximately 30 minutes.
• City Bus: Route No. 16 by the city carrier AMTAB is the most budget-friendly option, but also the longest. Due to many stops, the travel time can take 40–50 minutes.

For those located in the historic centre (Bari Vecchia), the easiest way to reach the station is on foot. It is a pleasant walk that will take 15–20 minutes. The route is simple: head from the old town along the main pedestrian and shopping street Via Sparano da Bari. It will lead you straight to the station square, avoiding traffic and allowing you to enjoy the architecture of the Murat district.

From the seaport, you can reach the station on city bus route No. 50, which runs specifically for cruise ship and ferry passengers. Travel time depends on traffic but usually takes about 15 minutes.

If you prefer a taxi, a taxi stand can be found at the exit of the arrivals area at the airport, or you can call one by phone. The trip from the airport to the station has a fixed fare (it is recommended to confirm the current cost before boarding, approximately 23–25 Euros), and travel across the city to the station will cost on average 10–15 Euros depending on distance and time of day. All official taxis are white with a meter.

The station's infrastructure is designed so that travellers can spend time comfortably before their train departs. In the main hall, there are traditional ticket counters where you can speak personally with a cashier, as well as numerous self-service machines. The terminals support multiple languages and accept cards and cash, allowing you to quickly issue travel documents without queuing.

For those wishing to walk around Bari light, there is paid luggage storage (usually under the sign Deposito Bagagli or KiPoint), located near the first platform. Clean restrooms also operate within the complex; please note that entry is most often paid (via a turnstile) and requires coins.

Waiting areas at the station are divided by comfort levels. In addition to general benches in the hall and on the platforms, passengers with high-class tickets (Gold, Executive) or special loyalty cards have access to the FrecciaClub VIP lounge. Here you can relax in a quiet atmosphere, use free Wi-Fi, and read the latest press.

Special attention is paid to accessibility. The station is fully adapted for passengers with reduced mobility: access to tracks is equipped with spacious elevators, and navigation is duplicated by tactile signs. The Sala Blu ("Blue Room") assistance service operates on the ground floor, where staff assist with boarding and moving luggage free of charge (it is recommended to book the service in advance).

Among other amenities, it is worth noting the presence of power outlets for charging gadgets (mainly in waiting rooms and cafes), a pharmacy, newsstands, and a railway police station. If you are hungry, there are several coffee shops and snack bars at your service, where you can always grab a sandwich for the road or drink a traditional Italian espresso.

The dining scene at Bari Centrale station and its surroundings is perfectly adapted to the rhythm of travellers' lives. If there is little time left before departure, you certainly won't go hungry: chain cafes, such as Chef Express, operate right in the station building (both in the main hall and near the platforms). Service here is streamlined: you can instantly drink a cup of espresso at the counter or buy a fresh sandwich (panino) and water for the journey.

For a more substantial meal, it is worth stepping out onto Piazza Aldo Moro. Immediately to the left of the exit, you will see the popular fast-food restaurant McDonald’s. This is a reliable option for tourists who need free Wi-Fi, a familiar menu, and predictable prices. It stays open late, which is especially valuable if you arrive on a night service when most traditional Italian establishments are already closed.

However, to taste the flavours of the Apulia region, we recommend visiting one of the nearby local cafes or bakeries (panificio) located on the streets branching off from the station (for example, Via Capruzzi or the beginning of Via Sparano). Be sure to try the famous Focaccia Barese (flatbread with tomatoes and olives) or a fried panzerotto with mozzarella and tomatoes. This is the ideal format for street food: filling, delicious, and inexpensive.

Practical information on prices and hours:

• Average bill: A classic Italian breakfast (coffee and croissant) will cost just 2.50–3.50 Euros. A hearty snack (sandwich/focaccia + drink) will cost about 6–9 Euros.
• Opening hours: Cafes inside the station open early, around 06:00, and work until the last train (approximately until 22:00–23:00).
• 24/7 Availability: There are practically no full-service 24-hour restaurants in the station zone. At night, vending machines with snacks and coffee located in the waiting rooms, or 24-hour shops at nearby petrol stations, come to the rescue.

The history of the city's railway heart began back in 1864. It was then, shortly after the unification of Italy, that the station opened, forever changing the economic and urban landscape of Bari. The arrival of the railway gave a powerful impetus to the development of trade and turned the city from a simple port into a key logistics hub on the Adriatic coast.

Initially, the station building was designed on a scale that might have seemed excessive for a mid-19th-century city, but this proved to be a far-sighted decision. The station effectively determined the development vector of the Murat district, becoming a kind of border between the historic quarters and the new developments. The classic façade of the building with its strict lines and arches has survived to this day, remaining a witness to changing eras on the square that today bears the name Aldo Moro.

Throughout the 20th century, the station was modernized repeatedly to cope with the growing flow of passengers heading to the south of Italy. However, the most significant stage of modern transformation occurred in the 21st century, when Bari Centrale was included in the prestigious national Grandi Stazioni programme. This large-scale reconstruction allowed for the careful restoration of historic elements while simultaneously implementing advanced security, lighting, and navigation systems.

Today, the role of the station in the city's transport system is hard to overestimate. It is not just a transit point, but a complex engineering hub where the main lines of the state RFI network and tracks of local lines (such as Ferrovie del Nord Barese) converge. Thanks to constant development, the station successfully handles high-speed trains, reliably connecting sunny Apulia with the central and northern regions of the country.

To ensure your journey through Bari Centrale goes smoothly and without unnecessary stress, we have prepared several important practical recommendations. This station is not just a single stop, but a complex hub uniting several railway operators, so navigation here has its own specific features.

Arrival Time. If you are departing on a high-speed Frecciarossa or Intercity train, try to arrive at the station at least 20–30 minutes before departure. This time will be needed to pass through potential security gates before entering the platform. For regional trains and private line commuter trains (for example, to Matera or the airport), allow even more time — their platforms may be located in remote parts of the complex or even require exiting the main building.

Tickets and Boarding Rules. The most important rule of Italian railways concerns paper tickets for regional trains (Regionale): they must be validated before boarding. Look for green or yellow validators in the station building or at the beginning of the platform. If you are travelling with an electronic ticket (PDF or QR code on your phone), validation is usually not required, but the ticket must be ready for inspection by the conductor at any moment.

Transfer Specifics. Pay attention: lines of the state company Trenitalia and private carriers (Ferrovie del Nord Barese, Ferrovie Appulo Lucane) converge in Bari. Their tracks and ticket offices are often separated. For example, trains to the airport depart from Ferrotramviaria platforms, while the narrow-gauge railway to Matera has its own separate terminal next to the main building. Always check the carrier logo on your ticket and follow the corresponding signs so as not to wait for the train on the wrong platform.

Safety and Luggage. Like any major transport hub, the station attracts many people. During peak hours and in underpasses, keep a close watch on personal belongings and pockets. Do not leave suitcases unattended even for a minute. If you are travelling with large luggage on regional trains, be prepared that there may be little space on the racks; try to occupy seats at the beginning or end of the carriage, where there is usually more space.

Night Time. Bari station closes for the night (usually from 00:00 to 05:00), and staying inside the building is not permitted. The Piazza Aldo Moro square outside may not be the most comfortable place for a lone tourist at night. If you have a long night layover or a very early departure, it is strongly recommended to book a room in one of the nearby hotels in advance to spend time in safety and comfort.