A guide to Bari's traffic for getting around by car.

A terrace overlooking the Adriatic Sea, characterized by a harmonious symphony of Romanesque churches, courtyards, arches, and ancient workshops; a vibrant social and cultural scene set against splendid seaside landscapes; a seafront, the longest in Italy, winding between Art Nouveau lampposts, fishing boats, and scenic bars: Bari is all this and much more, and between a chat in dialect, a hot panzerotto, or handmade orecchiette in Via Arco Basso, it will win you over with its enchanting simplicity. Here you’ll find some useful information to explore the city by car without stress.

How to get to Bari by car, train, and plane

Bari is well connected with the rest of Italy and Europe thanks to an efficient transport network: first of all, those traveling by plane can land at Bari-Palese “Karol Wojtyła” Airport, located just 10 km from the city center and connected to it by trains, shuttles, and taxis.
By train, the city can be reached from Rome in about 4 hours and from Milan in just over 7 hours thanks to high-speed rail. For those who prefer to drive, Bari lies along the A14 Bologna-Taranto motorway and the SS16 Adriatica, and is also easily reachable from Naples, about 250 km away.
Finally, Bari also has a major port, with ferry connections to Croatia, Albania, and Greece—perfect for those looking to combine a city visit with a Mediterranean itinerary.

Getting around the historic center: Bari’s ZTL

If you’re planning to visit Bari by car, it’s useful to know that the city has a ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) active mainly in the historic center, known as Bari Vecchia. Bari’s ZTL is active every day, 24 hours a day, and access is permitted only to residents, authorized vehicles, and guests staying at accommodations that have agreements in place with the Municipality. For more details on temporary permits or exceptions, it is advisable to visit the official website of the Municipality of Bari.

Where to park in Bari: free and paid parking

Finding parking in Bari can be challenging during peak hours, especially near the center. Blue lines cover much of the central areas, with rates between €1 and €2 per hour, usually active from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM, excluding Sundays. After these hours, parking is free.
For those looking for free parking in Bari, the best options are slightly outside the center:
• The San Nicola Stadium parking lot, served by shuttles to the center;
• The “Pane e Pomodoro” Park & Ride, near the sea and connected by city buses;
• Some residential areas near Via Re David or Viale Unità d’Italia, where free spaces can be found.
Another convenient option is to leave your car in secure parking lots near the central station or the port area, especially for longer stays or if arriving by ferry.

Driving in Bari: useful but beware of the ZTL

Driving in Bari can be convenient for visiting nearby destinations—such as Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, or the Gargano—but less so in the city center, where traffic and ZTL restrictions make car use inadvisable. If you arrive in the city by car, the best option is to park in an area served by public transport and then move around on foot, by bike, or by city bus. The center is indeed pedestrian-friendly and enjoyable to explore without a car, among historic alleys, markets, and the smell of freshly baked focaccia.

Do you need a car to explore the city and its surroundings? Try our Bari car rental or check out other Locauto rentals available in Puglia.