Puglia remains one of the most affordable regions in southern Italy, but your final budget depends above all on your pace and the level of comfort you are after. Here are concrete benchmarks, item by item, so you can build a realistic estimate before you go.
- Budget option: €60 to €90 per day (simple B&B, quick bites, public transport).
- Comfort option: €120 to €180 per day (3-4 star hotel, regular restaurant meals, rental car).
- High-end option: €250 to €400 per day and more (charming masseria, fine-dining restaurants, private excursions).
- Airfare: €40 to €90 in low season, €80 to €300 in high season, depending on how far ahead you book.
- Tip: compare Bari and Brindisi, as flights to Brindisi are sometimes cheaper in high season.
Daily budget by travel style
There are three main ways to travel in Puglia, with very different daily budgets (accommodation, meals and getting around included, flights excluded):
€60 to €90 / day
Simple B&B or hostel, quick bites or trattoria meals, public transport, free beaches.
€120 to €180 / day
B&B or 3-4 star hotel, regular restaurant meals, rental car, a few paid activities.
€250 to €400 / day and more
Charming masseria or 5-star hotel, fine-dining restaurants, premium rental car, private excursions.
| Item (per day) | Budget | Comfort | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €25 to €40 | €50 to €90 | €150 and more |
| Meals (3 meals) | €20 to €30 | €40 to €60 | €80 and more |
| Transport | €10 to €15 | €25 to €40 | €60 and more |
| Activities | €0 to €10 | €15 to €30 | €50 and more |
Estimates per person, flights excluded, to be adjusted for the season: allow 20 to 30% more in July and August.
The price of a plane ticket
The two gateways are Bari airport or Brindisi airport, both served by low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, easyJet or Wizz Air from most major European cities. In low season, a return ticket can often be had for between €40 and €90. In high season (July-August), expect more like €150 to €300 if you book late, compared with €80 to €150 if you book several months ahead.
Accommodation budget
This is the most variable item. A simple B&B in the hinterland costs around €60 to €90 a night for two, a 3-4 star hotel or a charming B&B between €90 and €160, and a high-end masseria can exceed €300 in high season. The breakdown by area is in our guide to where to stay in Puglia.
Food and restaurant budget
A coffee at the counter costs around €1 to €1.50, a slice of pizza al taglio €3 to €5, a plate of pasta in a trattoria €10 to €15. For a full meal with starter, main course and dessert, allow €25 to €40 per person in a standard trattoria, and €50 to €80 at a fine-dining address. Many restaurants also charge a coperto (cover charge), generally €1.50 to €3 per person — a point covered in detail in our article on mistakes to avoid in Puglia.
Local transport budget
Car rental costs around €30 to €60 per day in low season, and can climb to €80-120 in August if you have not booked ahead. On top of that comes fuel (around €2/L for petrol — the highest level since 2022). If you would rather avoid the car, our train and bus itinerary details the alternatives: a regional journey most often costs between €3 and €10.
Activities and sightseeing budget
Many of the best experiences in Puglia are free: strolling through villages, swimming at a free beach, watching the sunset from a viewpoint. On the paid side, a boat trip costs around €30 to €60 per person, a cooking class €50 to €80, and admission to a site such as the Castellana Caves is around €15 to €20. The breakdown by type of activity is in our guide to the best activities.
Tips for cutting costs
Travelling in June or September rather than in the middle of August already brings down the cost of flights, accommodation and car rental. Booking your accommodation several months ahead avoids last-minute rates, especially for the most sought-after masserias. Eating at trattorias frequented by locals rather than on the most central tourist squares often makes a real difference to the bill, and the FSE network remains an affordable alternative to the car for exploring the Itria Valley.
To find out what to taste in each area — often cheaper than eating out — see our guide Puglia Food Guide: The Specialities You Absolutely Have to Try.
Frequently asked questions
What budget should you plan for a week for two in Puglia?
At a comfort pace (decent accommodation, restaurants, rental car), allow roughly €1,700 to €2,500 for two people for a week, flights included. On a budget, this figure can come down to around €900 to €1,300.
Is Puglia cheaper than Tuscany or the Cinque Terre?
Yes, on the whole. Accommodation and dining are on average 20 to 30% cheaper than in central or northern Italy, even though the most sought-after places (charming masserias, renowned restaurants) can reach comparable prices.
Is tipping mandatory in Puglia?
No. Service is generally included, and the coperto (cover charge) is not a tip. Rounding up the bill for a warm welcome is appreciated but remains optional.
How can you save on car rental in summer?
Book at least two to three months ahead, compare rental companies at the airport and in town, and check the insurance excess and fuel policy before signing: it is the extra charges, more than the advertised daily rate, that often push the bill up.
Plan your budget with APULIA
In summary
The budget for a trip to Puglia varies above all with the level of comfort you are after, far more than with the length of the stay itself. Travelling outside high season, booking your accommodation in advance and favouring good local places over the most touristy areas lets you make the most of the region without exceeding a reasonable budget.
To go further on preparing your trip in full (ideal time to go, car rental, ZTL, local habits), see our guide Travelling in Puglia: Practical Tips for Planning Your Stay.
