Rome to Bari by train

Rome to Bari is a direct high-speed run: about four and a half hours from Roma Termini to Bari Centrale, with no change of train.

Frecciarossa or Italo

Two companies run direct trains from Termini, south to Caserta and then across the Apennines via Benevento and Foggia. Trenitalia's Frecciarossa gives you the most choice, with about six direct trains a day on most days. Italo runs three.

Choose the departure that fits your day, then weigh up the two fares at that time. Each company sells tickets only for its own trains. Miss an Italo train and your ticket is no good on the next Frecciarossa, or the other way round.

Journey time and timetable

The Frecciarossa takes between about 4 hours 15 minutes and 4 hours 40 minutes. Italo's journey is about 4 hours 15 minutes. Direct Frecciarossa leave Rome from morning until early evening. After the last one, Trenitalia's only options involve a change and arriving in Bari the next morning.

Bari is not always the end of the line. Some Frecciarossa carry on to Brindisi and Lecce, so have your bags ready once the train leaves Barletta, its last stop before Bari Centrale. A slower Intercity also runs on some dates and takes about six and a half hours.

The timetable changes on 13 December 2026. The line between Caserta and Foggia closes for upgrade works from time to time, most recently from 10 to 30 June 2026, when Frecciarossa from Rome ran only as far as Caserta, so check your date if you travel during a works period.

Leaving from Roma Termini

Start at Roma Termini. The direct trains to Bari leave from there, including Frecciarossa that begin their run in Milan and call at Florence on the way. In Rome they stop only at Termini, so do not plan on boarding a Bari train at Roma Tiburtina.

Tickets, fares and passes

Trenitalia sells each Frecciarossa seat at several prices. Base is the flexible fare: you can change it as often as you like up to departure, and a refund costs you 20% of what you paid. Economy is cheaper, but it goes off sale at midnight two days before travel and cannot be refunded. The lower prices disappear as a train fills.

Italo fares start from €12.90 when booked in advance.

An Interrail pass covers the Frecciarossa, but a seat reservation is compulsory and typically costs pass holders €13. Italo does not take Interrail passes at all. On a pass, travel with Trenitalia; otherwise you need a full Italo ticket.