We have a trip coming up and are thinking of adding a night or 2 in Bari before heading to Matera. Any info on transportation, train, bus, etc. Is it convenient, easy to maneuver, etc? A cab seems pretty pricy. Appreciate any suggestions.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1151 posts
There appear to be several bus options.
ITABus, infobus and busmicrolis all seem to be the route from the Bari train station to Matera - often for under 5e.
https://www.itabus.it/en/autobus/bari
https://infobus.eu/en/bus/italy/bari
https://booking.busmiccolis.it/
Some of these seem to only do the route once or twice a day but that may change with the seasons since it is winter.
A bus aggregator like Omio https://www.omio.com/ might help you look into options.
Here is a page about options to get to get to Matera: https://www.amoitaly.com/matera/access.html
There is no train option. [Not true - see below.]
Hope that helps,
=Tod
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1727 posts
Matera is not serviced by Trenitalia, but FAL (Ferrovie Appulo Lucane) run buses and a commuter narrow gauge train line from Bari to Matera; trains leave from a couple raised tracks by the main railway station, do not run on Sunday and usually you have to change trains in Altamura. It is not a very convenient train service (buses are quicker), but there is.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1151 posts
Thanks for the correction, lachera, that narrow gauge actually sounds pretty cool.
=Tod
Posted by
US
605 posts
We took the FAL train to Matera several years ago. The train itself was very modern and clean, one of the nicest we'd used in Italy. We failed to change trains in Altamura (our fault) and the train personnel were very kind and helpful; they didn't even make us buy another ticket. Here's a link: https://ferrovieappulolucane.it/en/
Buon viaggio!
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1727 posts
Most FAL trains from Bari go to Gravina; you have to get down one stop earlier, at Altamura, where the corresponding train to Matera will be waiting you. On the back trip the train from Matera will meet in Altamura the one coming back from Gravina; the Gravina train goes to Bari.
The line was recently renovated, it is quite curvy and slow among never ending hills.
For railway lovers, two cab-cam videos; you may have a look to understand exactly what would be expecting you.
Bari to Gravina
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYS0Or3TuRM
Matera to Altamura and back
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPWg-dRaDeA
In Bari Trenitalia (national railway) and three local railway networks meet. Ferrovie del Sud Est (to Martina Franca and Alberobello) run from the last two tracks of Bari Centrale. - Bari Nord railway (airport shuttle and other destinations) and FAL stations are "stacked" on the right side of Bari Centrale: Bari Nord is underground and FAL elevated.