Car Hire Bari Airport

Bari Airport Mini Guide

Why do People go to Bari?
Many people travel to Bari to take a ferry to one of the destinations accessible from its port. It’s the main Italian departure point for ferries to Greece as well as the Balkan States. The city has built its tourist reputation on the architecture and history of the old town which dates to before the Roman Empire. Today, many of the buildings are chic bars and restaurants. Around the city there are some beautiful beaches worth a visit. In early December, the city celebrates the feast of its patron saint, St Nicholas, with four days of exuberant festivities including fireworks each night.

How do I get to Bari?
Bari has its own airport called Karol Wojtyla after Pope John Paul II or Palese Airport after the nearby town. It’s also known as the Aeroporto di Bari. It’s only five miles north of the city with good transport links. From the UK, both BA and Ryanair fly there, BA from Gatwick and Ryanair from Stansted. Such is the viability of the airport that four of the airlines which currently use it introduced new routes from June 2012 including an easyJet flight from London Gatwick.

What is the Airport Like?
Whilst looking like a typical concrete airport building from the outside it is stunning inside with glass roofs letting in the brilliant Italian sunlight. Fully air-conditioned, it is clean and well organised despite accepting nearly four million passengers last year.

What Should I do When I Arrive?
After collecting your luggage and passing through passport control and customs you’ll find yourself in the arrivals meeting hall. If you need any help or information, you’ll have to go to the departures area for the information desk although tourist information is in the arrivals area. If you need money, a bank is found at the far end of the arrivals hall on the left hand side. It has an ATM for quick cash withdrawals. The car hire desks are dotted around the hall, in three different locations, but it shouldn’t be any problem finding yours if you’ve pre-booked a car. If using public transport to get into Bari, buses and taxis stop just outside the terminal doors.

And on the day of my Departure?
If you need assistance at the airport you must make sure you give them two days warning. The airport meets EU regulations for the disabled and staff are always willing to assist. After checking in your bags there are a handful of bars and restaurants before security but they only serve light meals, snacks and ice creams. There’s a small kiosk too selling newspapers and confectionery and some fashion stores including Benetton. Once you pass through security, the food choices become more limited still with only very light snacks available plus drinks. There, though, you’ll find a further selection of shops including a duty free shop with alcohol products, tobacco, perfumes and gifts as well as a bookstore, confectioners and travel products retailer.  The airport offers Wi-Fi on a pay per use basis with vouchers purchasable from information or from some of the shops.

Bari Airport is the gateway to Puglia, or Apulia as it is otherwise called. Here in the southern part of Italy, the beautiful coastline is waiting to be explored. Miles of sandy beaches and secluded coves make hiring a car a great idea.

Further afield you have the UNESCO designated town of Matera with its stunning architecture. Closer to the airport, Bari itself has a delightful old town which is well worth a visit. Park your car near the centre and amble through the sun warmed streets, stopping for a coffee and to watch the locals drift by.