Wondering how to get from Bari to Matera using public transport? Contrary to what some guides say, this journey is in fact possible and relatively painless to do once you know where you need to go, etc.

After doing this journey myself in May 2024, I quickly wrote up this guide to help anyone in a similar position because wow was it ridiculously difficult to find the necessary info! 

So, in this post I’ll be guiding you through everything you need to know to travel between Bari and Matera, including…

• Where to find the Bari – Matera train timetable 
• How to find the special train station that you take this journey from 
• How to buy train tickets from Bari to Matera 
• Important Tips for Finding the Right Stations/Trains

How to Get from Bari to Matera: A Brief Overview

In sum, it is absolutely possible to take the train from Bari to Matera, but the journey a) departs from a second little station a short walk from Bari Centrale and b) is quite long, taking about 1h 50 minutes total, often requiring a change in Altamura. 

While direct trains supposedly exist, I’m only seeing one per day on their official timetable so odds are you will need this Altamura change. I’ve heard that the connecting train does wait in case of delays, so this bit isn’t actually as stressful as it sounds! 

Now, the main reason the Bari to Matera journey is so confusing is because the train is operated by the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane, a private company run independently of the main Italian train companies, Trenitalia or Italo. This is why if you search the route on the main companies’ websites, you won’t find anything.

If you go to the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane website though (while it’s not the best), you’ll be able to find crucial things like the timetable, and (supposedly) even buy tickets! Sadlyk this function wasn’t working on my trip, so I had to buy them in person at one of the automatic machines for €6 per person, each way.

NOTE: Their website has infinitely more detail and information in the Italian version (compared to English), so I would recommend browsing in Italian and using a built in translator like the Google Translate Chrome extension.

Where to Take the Train from Bari to Matera 

Now here’s the fun part! If you try to find Matera on the Departures board at Bari Centrale, you won’t… this is because the train leaves from the Ferrovie Appulo Station, which is close to the Bari Centrale station but entirely separate.

To remove any guesswork and ambiguity, this is the station you want to get to:

Don’t get confused like me and duck into the first station building RIGHT next to KFC which is confusingly says “For All Trains” and has machines where you can buy tickets for the Bari – Matera train…… but not actually board it.

This is the building that will sell you tickets, but ISN’T where you need to board:

How to Take the Train from Bari to Matera (Step by Step)

Alright, let’s break down the train journey from Bari to Matera step by step in the easiest possible way to follow!

Step One: Get Tickets

While you should be able to get tickets online from their website (when it’s working), there’s actually no incentive to because the price doesn’t change. 

So, your options are…

• Buy online here 
• Buy in person at either a ticket machine or at the ticket office from a person 

The ticket machine option is surprisingly intuitive – they show you a map of the route and you choose where to go, then pay.

NOTE: The ticket gates for these trains are electronic and require you to scan the QR code present on your ticket so be sure to have that handy as you make your way to the platform.

On both legs of my journey, nobody checked my ticket once I got on the train but it would be good to hold onto just in case they do a ticket control. You will also need to scan it to exit the train station so don’t throw it away just yet!

Step Two: Get to the train 

Once again, the train departs from the Ferrovie Appulo Station, which from the outside honestly just looks like a small convenience store, but duck inside and you’ll find some ticket machines, and a hallway that leads up to the train platform. 

As far as I could tell, all the trains seemed to leave from Platform 1 (and there weren’t other options anyway) so head there.

To open up the gates to the platform, you must scan the QR code on your ticket. Once that’s done, proceed through the gates and walk down to find the right carriage class (not sure if there even is a first class) 

NOTE: I find the farther you walk the more free seats there will be.

Step Three: Enjoy the ride until Altamura

Then just sit, relax and enjoy, keeping an eye out on the screens to see when you are approaching Altamura. 

Again, there may be ticket control checks so keep your ticket on you. I however didn’t get checked! 

The trains are really modern and nice, with fresh air conditioning and plenty of seats and room for bags (either above the seats or under). Overall it’s a very pleasant journey, though quite slow. 

Step Four: Transfer at Altamura 

Now, this is the confusing bit. I assumed that it would be really obvious where to catch the transfer train to Matera but there were zero signs or staff upon arrival. 

We arrived at Platform 3 and then ended up catching the next train from Platform 1, but I’m not sure if it’s always like this as I noticed there were some repairs being made at the station.

In any case, once you arrive at Altamura, have a look around and see if you can spot another train that lists its destination as “Matera Sud”. 

To get to other platforms, you must take an underground passage so look for stairs to follow down and then head in the direction of the train you saw.

I would walk as quickly as you can, but don’t stress too much because it seemed to me that they were waiting for the last passengers to board before departing. Of course this won’t help you if you’re not visibly making your way to the platform so don’t dilly dally.

Step Five: Enjoy the ride to Matera!

Beer in mind there are multiple stations that the train stops at in Matera, so be sure to check in advance which stop is closest to your accommodation. If you are just day tripping, then Matera Centrale is probably a good bet.

The stops are:

• Matera Serra Rifusa
• Matera Villa Longo 
• Matera Centrale 
• Matera Sud 

NOTE: On the way back to Bari, it may be advisable to board at Matera Sud just because it’ll be much easier to secure a seat on the train as it’s the first stop. Just don’t be surprised if there’s delays though! On our way back, the train arrived/left 20 min late. 

I Hope This Guide to Bari from Matera by Train Was Helpful!

Let me know in the comments if you have any more questions 🙂