Train or Plane from Rome to Bari & back?

The Rome2Rio site gives you a list of options that may help you decide which works best for you.

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Rome-Airport-FCO/Bari

Regarding car rental in Italy, the "Tips and Trip Reports" section of these forums has lots of info on car rental under "Transportation."

Wendi,

Absolutely, take the train from Rome to Bari, as it will be much shorter and most certainly more pleasant! On the current schedules, there's a direct departure leaving Roma Termini at 08:54, arriving Bari Centrale 11:59 (time 3H:54M).

If you want to go to Matera by train, have a look at Ferrovie Appulo Lucane as the trip is only 1H:28M. You can also travel by Bus on that route.

Check out car rental locations in Matera for your trip to Acceturra (travel time about 1H:15M) or Alberobello (just over an hour). Note that each driver listed on the rental form will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. The I.D.P. is easily obtained at any AAA / CAA office for a small fee, and is valid for one year. You'll also have to be extremely vigilant to avoid the dreaded ZTL (limited traffic) areas in whichever cities you visit (hefty fines which you may not know about until several months after you return home).

Happy travels!

Ken, thanks for all the info. Do you really think it would be better to take the train? The flight is only an hour and I understand there is a place to pick up a rental car at the airport. The day we go to acceturra is a sunday and no place in matera is open for car rentals that day. Maybe we should look into hiring a driver for the day to go to acceturra and scrap the idea of renting a car from the jump and paying to have it parked in Matera? Thoughts?

We have taken the train from Rome to Bari and also from Rome to Foggia and then rented a car and it's an easy trip. I don't remember any issues with renting a car, except that I think we had to take a taxi from the Foggia train station to the Europcar rental agency.

This year, however, when we had our son, daughter-in-law, a 3-year-old and a baby with us, we decided it would be more sane to fly from Rome to Puglia with all the carseats, travel crib, stroller, etc. (We actually flew Rome to Brindisi, which is a nicer, smaller airport.)

The real deciding factor, which may or may not be the case for you, is that we were all flying from New York and so we were at the airport ANYWAY, so it was just a matter of getting on another plane for a short trip, rather than taking a train or bus to Termini in Rome and then another train to Puglia.

Do note that it takes more time to rent a car in Italy, at least it does from Europcar. And you'll need an International Drivers Permit for each driver. Also, double check that the office will be open at the time that you need it to be for pick up and drop off. Driving in Puglia and to Matera will be fine, not a big deal.

Oh, and here's another thing to note. I was not paying close attention to the small print on our cheap tickets from Rome to Brindisi on Alitalia --- those tickets only allowed one carry-on bag each, so we did have to pay about $30 to check a duffle bag full of baby stuff. But it was still cheaper than the next more expensive tickets.

I took the fast train from Rome direct to Bari
I was able to get first class tickets for 39 euros by buying a month ahead of the journey . I prefer trains also . The trip was around 3 and half hours as I recall.

The train is just as fast, city center to city center. Less than 4 hours. It’s more comfortable too.
When you consider the flight time you must include:
30 min travel time to Rome airport
90 min for check-in and boarding procedures
60 min flight time
30 min deplaning and baggage claim
30 min travel from airport to city center
The total is also 4 hours.
There are rental offices near the Bari station.

I have used the Hertz near Bari centrale train station, and it was just as easy as using the airport location (even requesting an automatic). The location is outside the ZTL.
BTW, somewhat between Matera and Accettura (check spelling for your GPS!), there is Craco, an abandoned village where you can do a fascinating tour. I would most certainly want a car in this area if you will be exploring small villages.

I just took this flight and it was only 1 hour five minutes. Inexpensive too, Alitalia.

I vote for the train. We did the high speed train from Rome to Bari a few years back and it was quiet, comfortable, and easy. Everything you need is at the train station, including cabs if you need one to the car rental place.

Thank you so much everyone! I didn’t even think about all the logistic issues around flying in. Train it is and I’ll get the car secured at hertz near the station! This was all very useful info. I appreciate it!

Wendi,

"Do you really think it would be better to take the train? "

Yes, absolutely! As Roberto mentioned above, you also have to factor in time to and from airports, waiting time, check-in, security, more waiting time, boarding and de-planing and of course the actual flight time. There's also the aggravation of the usual "dog & pony show" that's typical of airports and flying these days, cramped seats, expensive baggage charges, etc.

In this case I think train would be faster. Keep in mind that the high speed Freccia trains travel at up to 300 km/h, so they're the best option in many cases.