Two airports serve Puglia: Bari in the north, better connected year-round, and Brindisi in the south, more convenient for the Salento but with more seasonal service. The choice mainly depends on where you’ll be based. Here’s how to decide based on your itinerary.
- Bari (BRI): main hub served year-round, direct train link to the city center
- Brindisi (BDS): mostly seasonal (May to October), closer to the Salento
- For the Itria Valley or Bari: Bari Airport is the most logical choice (~55–60 min)
- For Lecce and the Salento: Brindisi is much closer (~40 min vs. 1 hr 30 min from Bari)
- The two airports are about 1 hr 15 min apart: you can fly into one and out of the other
Contents
Bari Airport: Puglia’s main hub
Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) is the region’s main airport, with around 6 million passengers per year. It is served year-round from most major European hubs, with airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air, plus several full-service carriers seasonally. The airport has a direct rail link to Bari city center—useful if you’d rather rent a car in town than at the airport, or combine train travel and car rental.
Brindisi Airport: the gateway to the Salento
Brindisi Papola Casale Airport (BDS) is smaller and operates mainly as a seasonal Ryanair base from May to October, with more limited winter service. It has no direct rail link and closes between midnight and 5 AM—something to plan for if you have a late-night or very early flight. Its main advantage: proximity to the Salento, unlike Bari, which is much farther away.
Distances from each airport
| Destination | From Bari (BRI) | From Brindisi (BDS) |
|---|---|---|
| Lecce | ~130 km, approx. 1 hr 30 min | ~40 km, approx. 40 min |
| Alberobello | ~62 km, approx. 55 min | ~75 km |
| Ostuni | ~95 km, approx. 1 hr | ~35 km, approx. 50 min |
| Otranto | farther away, less direct route | ~55 km, approx. 50 min |
| Polignano a Mare | ~45 km, approx. 35 min | ~85 km |
The two airports are about 115 km apart via the A14 motorway—around 1 hr 15 min between them—an option to consider if you want to fly in via one and fly back from the other, depending on your itinerary.
How to choose based on your itinerary
For a stay focused on the Itria Valley (Alberobello, Ostuni, Locorotondo), Bari, and Polignano a Mare, Bari Airport is the most logical choice. For a stay concentrated on the Salento (Lecce, Otranto, Gallipoli), Brindisi significantly reduces driving time on arrival. For an itinerary combining both areas—like our 7-day itinerary or our 5-day itinerary—it can be worth flying into one airport and out of the other, to avoid backtracking at the end of your trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport should you choose to visit Alberobello and Ostuni?
Bari—much closer (about 55–60 minutes by car vs. over 1 hr 15 min from Brindisi).
Which airport should you choose for Lecce and the Salento?
Brindisi—about 40 minutes from Lecce vs. 1 hr 30 min from Bari.
Can you fly into one airport and out of the other?
Yes—this is a common option for an itinerary combining the Itria Valley and the Salento, as the two airports are about 1 hr 15 min apart.
Is Brindisi Airport open year-round?
Service is mostly seasonal (May to October), with more limited winter service; Bari remains served year-round.
Plan your arrival in Puglia with APULIA
To build an itinerary that fits your arrival airport:
In summary
Bari is better for a stay focused on the Itria Valley, Bari, and Polignano a Mare, while Brindisi significantly reduces distances for a stay concentrated on the Salento. For an itinerary combining both areas, flying into one airport and back from the other can save several hours of driving.
Once you’ve chosen your airport, also consider on-site rental: our dedicated guide details ZTLs and the insurance to check for renting a car in Puglia without any unpleasant surprises.
