How to Get from Bari to Ostuni by Train or Bus (2025 Update) (original) (raw)
Are you planning a trip from Bari to Ostuni during your Puglia getaway? This guide details how to get to Ostuni from Bari by train or bus.
This journey involves a few more steps than getting around other parts of Puglia, so be sure to read my ‘overview’ to see what it entails and why it requires a little pre-planning!
The first time I made this journey was years ago, but I have had the chance to use my own guide since, and it worked, so now I update it for each season to ensure prices are accurate and details are still relevant.
In the guide, I will mark down, step by step, how to take the train from Bari to Ostuni and how to take the bus from Bari to Ostuni. The guide also discusses luggage storage options, ticket purchasing, and additional information.
If you have questions about getting to Ostuni from Bari, let me know in the comments. Thanks!
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the following:
- An overview of what it is like getting from Bari to Ostuni, including bus and train options
- How to take the train to Ostuni (+ ticket info)
- How to take the bus to Ostuni (+ ticket info)
- How to get back to Ostuni train station from the city center
- Information about Bari Centrale and Ostuni train stations, including luggage storage details
Bari to Ostuni Overview (+ My Experience)
What people don’t realize about visiting Ostuni is that the train station is 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) from the part of the city that is in the photo below. You can walk this, but there is a shuttle bus that shows up at the station.
I took the shuttle bus up and then walked back down (definitely preferred that downhill walk instead of an uphill one)!
Ostuni, Italy…. yea… I should probably move here.
The shuttle bus will be waiting for your train’s arrival and if you do NOT see it there, look for the crowds that are loitering around the station (or just outside of it) because they are likely doing the same thing as you, meaning the shuttle will show up soon!
That shuttle bus is on a route that takes people from Ostuni’s center to the Villanova beaches, so it may run behind.
Before heading to Ostuni by train, I researched how to get there by bus, hence including it in this guide. I will give you the pros/cons of each mode of transportation so you can select which one is right for you!
Should you take the train or bus to Ostuni?
Train from Bari
The train is much faster. It merely takes an hour from Bari to Ostuni, yet the train station is quite a bit away from the old city center, as mentioned above. You will have to walk 2.5 kilometers. But there is a shuttle bus that comes to take you (more about that below).
It will cost extra money to get that shuttle, so I advise you to pre-purchase the ticket that includes it when you’re at the Trenitalia machine in Bari. The ticket you will want will be ‘_Ostuni Citta_‘ instead of just ‘_Ostuni_‘. This will be a bit extra, but you will not have to pay again to hop on the shuttle bus in Ostuni.
More about this below. I did this wrong on my first trip, so just trust me on this!
Bus from Bari
The bus journey takes anywhere from 2 hours or more. The bus also has varying ticket prices depending on when you leave, so you may pay more.
Pros/Cons
✅ Pros of taking the train to Ostuni: The ticket prices tend to be all the same (€6.80). The train takes around one hour, or slightly less, from Bari to Ostuni. It is also an enjoyable ride.
❌ Cons of taking the train to Ostuni: You will arrive in Ostuni and need to get a shuttle or taxi into the city center. Or, you can walk 2.5 kilometers up the hill to the old city.
✅ Pros of taking the bus to Ostuni: You will be dropped off in the city center and avoid a shuttle bus or taxi from the train station up there.
❌ Cons of taking the bus to Ostuni: It is a 2-hour journey (but can be shorter or longer depending on the bus). The prices of the tickets vary from €6.50 and up. Several companies offer this route, and most buses start from somewhere else in Italy, so it may be delayed or off-schedule slightly.
Buying a Train Ticket to Ostuni
Here is how you obtain a train ticket to Ostuni from Bari:
- Select your destination, which is Ostuni Citta. You will see several options for Ostuni, but this is the ticket that INCLUDES the shuttle bus. If you would prefer to walk, just get the ticket to Ostuni.
- Don’t choose the bus option (it may pop up as an option, just ignore it).
- There will be times of the day increments (around four hours each), and you can select which time frame you’ll be traveling within.
- Then select the exact train you want. Even though I specified the one I wanted, it never printed it on my ticket.
- Pay for your ticket with either a card or cash.
- Please wait for your printout, and make sure you validate it at one of these green machines!
Trenitalia ticket machines.
Trenitalia machine to validate your ticket. Don’t forget to do this!
How much is a ticket to Ostuni from Bari?
The train fares are €6.80 one-way (you can purchase round-trip tickets, but there are no savings in doing this). The bus tickets start at around €6.50 one way and go up depending on the hour the bus leaves for Ostuni.
Do keep in mind that you will have an added taxi or shuttle bus fare once in Ostuni if you decide to take the train, and DO NOT pick ‘Ostuni Citta’ as your final destination.
The taxi price is around €8 -10 one way, and the shuttle bus is supposed to be €1.50, but the machine didn’t work when I went, and no one wanted me to be charged. I walked from Ostuni back to the train station later in the day. More about that later.
If you have opted to take the train from Bari to Ostuni, you must find out which platform it leaves from and then head there. Mine left from Platform 1, and it was a train headed to Lecce (via Fasano).
This train had friendly power outlets and was fantastic. On the way back, my train was different, although still nice. Always make sure you validate your ticket before boarding the train!
Validate your ticket!
The train journey is around 1 hour long. Fifty-nine minutes, to be exact. It goes quickly, and if you sit on the left-hand side of the train, you will get lovely sea views.
You will pass Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, and Fasano on your way before arriving in Ostuni.
Train from Bari to Ostuni, Italy.
Getting From Ostuni Train Station to the Center
As mentioned several times above, arriving at Ostuni train station does not put you in the city center. You have three options to get from the station to the city center: walk, take a taxi, or wait for the shuttle bus.
Shuttle Bus (Recommended)
When I initially did this journey, I was the only traveler on this bus (I went in the off-season then), and the locals helped out as much as they could because I was confused. The fare is around €1.50-2, but you can purchase this within your ticket from Bari if you pick ‘Ostuni Citta’ instead of just ‘Ostuni’. I didn’t do that.
The machine didn’t work on the bus, and I ended up with a lift for free.
Ostuni shuttle bus from the train station to the city center.
Please note that your bus may not look like this. There are also regularly scheduled buses that run this route, so you may end up on one of those. Just follow the locals and others around you once in Ostuni and ensure you hop on the right bus to the city!
If you take this option, ask to get off at Freedom Square (Piazza della Libertà).
I zoomed around town for a while before realizing I should have already gotten off the bus. You will recognize the square thanks to a prominent spire standing in its center and some stunning historic buildings around the square.
Walking
I would not advise this, especially during the summer months. It is 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) and you’ll be walking along narrow roads with no sidewalks most of the time. On the other hand, you’re walking through olive trees and olive oil pressing companies, so it is kind of pretty!
The way from the train station to the center is uphill, and the way back is, of course, downhill. I walked the way back just to check things out.
Taxi
Several signs have different taxi company numbers right outside the station to the right. There may also be a taxi waiting outside. The price should be anywhere from €8-10.
Buying a Bus Ticket to Ostuni
To purchase a bus ticket, you will need to go to the ticket machines that are the same ones you will use for train services. You can also go to the main ticket office pictured below:
Bari Centrale ticket office.
The machines are easy to use and have English and several other language options.
They also take cards or cash (unless they are faulty that day, and they will state such information when you try to pay).
Here are the steps you need to go through to purchase a bus ticket:
- Select your destination. In this case, it is Ostuni. You will see the options OSTUNI or OSTUNI (BUS). Choose ‘bus’.
- Check out the bus times listed and pick which works well with your schedule. The fares will be listed, too, and they will vary depending on the bus and time.
- Pay for your ticket.
- Wait for your printout.
- Your bus will leave opposite the train station at the said time. Show up early so you can ensure you can find it and hop on the correct bus.
Getting Back to Bari From Ostuni
Getting back to Bari from Ostuni is simple. Just do the reverse of what you already did. The trains leave regularly except at that random midday hour when none go. Check ahead of time and plan accordingly.
If you want to catch a ride from the center of Ostuni back to the train station, you will need to find the bus stop you previously got off at. Otherwise, you can head here (this exact location is a pick-up point). You can find the bus schedule here, but it is all in Italian (and pretty difficult to understand the layout of the schedule anyway).
This is part of the reason I opted to walk back to the station!
Bari and Ostuni Train Station Information
About Bari Central Station
If you’re in Bari, you will undoubtedly go through the Bari Central Station (Bari Centrale Stazione) at some point.
The train station is sizable yet manageable. It has an annual ridership of 14 million passengers and is one of the main train stations in southern Italy, if not all of the country.
Bari Centrale Station at dusk.
The station has all the necessary amenities, from grocery stores to luggage storage to wheelchair accessibility. Below are some additional details about Bari Central Station.
Is there luggage storage at Bari Central Station?
Yes, there is luggage storage at Bari Central Station.
Luggage storage at Bari Central is located on Platform 1 on the far left-hand side. It is now operated by a company called Ki.bag, and you can prepay or just pay when you get there. Look for the bright yellow sign that says ‘Ki.point’. They are open from 8am until 8pm. You can see more on their website.
Is there food at the Bari Train Station?
Bari Train Station has a supermarket (Despar) as well as quite a few restaurants, cafes, kiosks, bakeries, and other things that will keep you equipped and well-fed before your train journey.
There is also a fantastic cafe just outside of it (cross over the fountain roundabout onto the main drag) called ‘My Day’ cafe.
C House Bakery and Cafe at Bari Centrale.
They make a lovely cappuccino, have friendly customer service, and don’t siesta for hours on end in the middle of the afternoon. Their wifi is super fast (I am currently using it while writing this), and they’re open until midnight daily.
About Ostuni Station
The Ostuni station was pretty lively for being so far removed from the city itself. There was a cafe/restaurant, and many cars were parked there in a spacious parking lot.
A toilet and an indoor waiting area were available if you do not want to sit outside. My train went back to Bari from platform 1 in Ostuni.
Is there luggage storage at Ostuni Train Station?
No, there is no luggage storage at Ostuni Train Station.
Is there food at the Ostuni Train Station?
There is a small cafe and restaurant there called ‘Bar La Stazione’. I bought a snack inside for my train ride. It is a good option for travelers, as the trip back to Bari is an hour long.
Ostuni Train Station.
Ostuni train station.
The trip from Bari to Ostuni and back was a straightforward experience, but more cumbersome and stressful than other Puglia journeys I did, only because it involved slightly more effort than other journeys around the region!
Ostuni is such a grand place to visit, and I highly recommend you take the bus or train from Bari to Ostuni to experience it for yourself!
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Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now lives in Finnish Lapland after previous stints in Norway, Germany, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor's Travel 'Essential Norway' (2020) and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.