Photo Credits: Manuel Pappacena (Unsplash)
Bari Airport is the most convenient gateway for travellers heading to Matera. The city of the Sassi lies just over an hour away by road, and choosing the right transport makes all the difference.
Bari and Matera: one airport, two destinations
Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (IATA: BRI) sits approximately 65 kilometres from Matera, linking Puglia to Basilicata along the SS99 state road. The route crosses the Murgia plateau — a landscape of limestone hills and ancient farmsteads — and takes around an hour and fifteen minutes in normal traffic conditions.
Travellers arriving at Bari with Matera as their destination have several options: a private transfer, a taxi, a bus connection or a hire car. Each suits a different set of priorities, whether that means comfort, cost or flexibility.
Private transfer: the most straightforward option
A private transfer from Bari Airport to Matera is the preferred choice for families, groups with heavy luggage, or anyone who would rather avoid logistical stress on arrival. A driver waits in the arrivals hall with a name board, loads the bags and takes passengers directly to their accommodation — whether that is a cave hotel in the Sassi, a B&B in the centre, or an agriturismo on the outskirts.
Most operators offer vehicles ranging from saloon cars to minivans for groups of up to eight. Booking is done online in advance at a fixed rate, with no meter running and no unexpected detours. For late-night arrivals or early-morning departures, a pre-booked private transfer is often the only genuinely practical solution.
Taxi: flexible but worth clarifying upfront
Taxis are available outside Bari Airport, but not all drivers accept long-distance fares into another province. Before getting in, it is worth confirming the destination and agreeing a price: the journey exceeds 60 kilometres and costs vary depending on the operator and time of day.
Some ride-hailing apps also allow passengers to book a licensed private hire vehicle (NCC) from Bari to Matera at a flat rate, visible before confirming the booking — a useful alternative to waiting at the taxi rank.
Bus: affordable but indirect
There is no direct bus service between Bari Airport and Matera. Passengers opting for public transport must first reach Bari Centrale station by local bus or train, then pick up a coach operated by Flixbus or Ferrovie Appulo Lucane towards Matera. The total journey takes at least two to three hours, with a mandatory change.
This option makes sense for light travellers with flexible schedules and a tight budget, but it is poorly suited to anyone with large bags or arriving during the evening when services become infrequent.
Car hire: freedom to explore Basilicata
Hiring a car directly at Bari Airport is a popular choice among visitors to Matera, particularly those who plan to explore the wider Basilicata region. All major car hire companies have desks in the arrivals terminal: collecting the vehicle on landing and returning it before departure is the smoothest possible arrangement.
The drive from Bari to Matera is straightforward — follow the SS99 westwards and signage for Matera is clear throughout. Parking in Matera itself requires some planning, as much of the Sassi area is a restricted traffic zone. The most convenient car parks are along Via Lucana and near Piazza Vittorio Veneto, from where the historic centre is a short walk.
If your itinerary includes Aliano, Metaponto, Maratea or the Dolomiti Lucane, a hire car is almost essential. You can find more detail in our guide to car hire in Matera.
Practical tips for planning your transfer
Whatever option you choose, booking ahead is advisable. Bari Airport handles a growing number of low-cost routes from across Europe, and demand for transfers peaks in spring and autumn — Matera's most popular seasons. Early booking secures availability and often a better price.
Travellers arriving on international flights or with bulky luggage will find a private transfer or hire car the most practical solution. Those travelling light with time to spare can consider the bus combination, provided they factor in the longer journey and the connection at Bari Centrale.
From Matera back to Bari Airport
The same options apply in reverse. Passengers with an early morning flight should allow at least two and a half hours from Matera if using public transport, and around an hour and a half with a private transfer or hire car.
Several transfer operators offer hotel pick-up directly from the Sassi, which is particularly useful given the narrow lanes of the historic centre — not all vehicles can reach certain addresses, and knowing this in advance avoids any last-minute complications.
A stop in Bari: worth considering?
Travellers with an afternoon flight or an early arrival might consider spending a few hours in Bari before moving on. The old city centre — Bari Vecchia — with its Basilica di San Nicola and the waterfront, can be explored in a couple of hours and offers a striking contrast to Matera's cave landscape. A hire car or a flexible transfer with a waiting option works best for this kind of itinerary.