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Between Rimini and Ancona

Bologna to Bari by train

How to travel from Bologna to Bari by train along the lovely Adriatic Coast

There is a choice of two express services when taking a train from Bologna to Bari:
1 - The more frequent Frecce services are also faster, despite the lack of a high speed line; but that speed tends to come at a higher price.
2 - There also InterCity services, which are slower because they make more station calls.

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Routes

Option 1: taking the faster Frecce trains

Journey Summary

From
Bologna
The main departure hall is to the right, the Ovest entrance is on the far left
Bologna Centrale Rail Station Guide
To
Bari (for ferries to Patras, on to Athens)
Bari Centrale Rail Station Guide
Travel Time
5hr 28min - 5hr 58min
Frequency
Daily
Travel Information

Final Destination: Lecce (or Taranto or Bari)

The trains also call at: Ancona and Pescara

There is no high speed line between Bologna and Bari but these Frecce trains are faster than the alternative Intercity trains for Bologna to Bari journeys, because they make fewer station calls.

10 x trains per day

The first departure of the day is around 30 mins slower than the norm as it takes a different, partially high-speed route, via Roma.

Tickets

*Save by booking in advance: Yes, for more details on how to obtain the cheapest prices for Frecce trains see the guide to Italian rail tickets.

Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date; though the booking period will be typically be shorter when looking up journeys for travel after the second Sunday in December.

The faster (AV) train services between and The AV train service between Bologna and Bari is provided by:

(1) these Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia and
(2) alternative Italo trains

Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed up to 6 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are typically made available around 3 to 4 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains - and Italo does not sell tickets for the Trenitalia trains.

Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.

If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce and Italo trains can be directly compared with Trainline or Omio, though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.

Rail Pass Users:

If you will be travelling with a valid Eurail or InterRail pass, you will need to reserve prior to boarding these trains, either at the station (using a Trenitalia ticket machine or ticket desk) OR by booking them online.

How to book the rail pass reservations online is included on our guide to using rail passes in Italy.

If you will be travelling with a rail pass, it's worth targeting the faster trains, as the reservation fees are the same regardless of which Frecce service you travel by.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Italia rail from €30

Italia rail Guide

Italiarail lives up to its name by selling tickets for rail journeys within Italy and the core feature of its service is that it is primarily designed to be used by international visitors to Italy.
So the English translations of place names are used when looking up journeys and the terms and conditions for using each type of ticket are clearly explained.
It also clearly points out the additional costs of upgrading to other classes and types of tickets while spelling out the additional benefits of doing so.
Though Italiarail will charge a booking fee, typically of around €3.

The Early Bird service

Italiarail has launched an 'early bird' pre-booking service for journeys by Frecce trains.
Tickets can be booked up to a year ahead of travel at a flat-rate price per route, before the tickets have been released for sale by Trenitalia.
If when they are placed on sale, the price is cheaper than what you have already paid to Italiarail, it will automatically refund the price difference.
Conversely, if the price is more expensive, you won't be charged the price difference.
You can also have the peace of mind of securing your seat(s) on the Frecce train(s) when you are first planning a trip.
If before the tickets are placed on sale, you decide to change your plans, you can request a refund; but once the tickets are released for sale, you will then be bound by the terms and conditions of the ticket(s) you have booked.

Trenitalia from €29.90

Trenitalia Guide

Trenitlalia is the national rail operator in Italy and in addition to its cheaper types of ticket; it also typically offers other discounts available to non-Italians, which include:

  • Group Offers, provides for a discount of up to 50% when 3-5 Adults travel together.
  • Family Offer for when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 11 and under.
  • The Children Free Offer is available for journeys by Frecce trains, when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 15 and under.
    Those aged 15 and under travel for free, but the Adults will need to purchase full price 'Base' tickets.
Trainline from €29.90

Trainline Guide

Omio from €30

Omio Guide

Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.

The three key advantages of using Omio are

  • it offers prices in multiple currencies
  • it usually offers price comparison with other modes of travel including flights and buses
  • when visiting Europe, you can book journeys in multiple countries in one transaction.

The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.

Save A Train from €29.90

Save A Train Guide

On this journey

Travelling On
A Frecciarossa train has arrived at Venezia St Lucia
Frecciarossa 500 (Frecce) (Italy) Train Guide
A full side view of a Frecciarossa 1000 train - two of these trains can be joined together
Frecciarossa 1000 (Frecce) (Italy) Train Guide
Frecciarossa 700 (Italy) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - YesCoastal viewsNot High Speed

Good to Know

These trains DON'T depart from the AV station at Bologna Centrale, instead they depart from the main part of station in the open air.

Between Rimini and Ancona Between Rimini and Ancona
Between Rimini and Ancona Between Rimini and Ancona
Between Rimini and Ancona Between Rimini and Ancona
Between Rimini and Ancona Between Rimini and Ancona

If your reserved seat is on the left the train (when facing the direction of travel) you'll be able to fully appreciate the highlights of the journey - which kick in after the train has departed from Rimini.
(If your seat isn't on the left, temporarily move over to one which is).

Once the train has travelled around 20 mins south of Rimini, you'll be able to revel in one of the best coastal train journeys in all of Europe.
For much of this part of the trip, the beach is all that separates The Adriatic from the train - a particular highlight is the part of the journey to the north of Ancona.

The sea views then continue, with the train travelling by the coast for around an hour in total either side of Pescara.

Option 2: taking the generally cheaper InterCity trains

Journey Summary

From
Bologna
The main departure hall is to the right, the Ovest entrance is on the far left
Bologna Centrale Rail Station Guide
To
Bari (for ferries to Patras, on to Athens)
Bari Centrale Rail Station Guide
Travel Time
6hr 52min - 7hr11min
Frequency
Daily
Travel Information

Final Destination: Taranto or Bari

The trains also call at: Ancona and Pescara

These Intercity train are slower, but generally cheaper than the alternative faster Frecce trains.
They can be much cheaper when the most heavily discounted 'Super Economy' tickets on those Frecce trains have sold out.

Rail pass users should take these IC trains, do so and you will save €10.

Sunday to Friday = 5 x trains per day
Saturday = 6 x trains

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: 3 months* ahead of the travel date

*Not all departures may be available when looking 3 months ahead, but all trains should be visiible around 11 weeks ahead.

Take care when choosing departures on this Bologna to Bari train journey, these Intercity trains are nearly always cheaper than the alternative Frecce trains.

Rail Pass Users:

If the timings of the alternative Intercity trains suit, then target these trains and not the alternative Frecce trains.

Target these IC trains if you want to save €10 on rail pass reservation fees.
Though in the summer and at weekends, if you'll want the peace of mind of being able to remain in the same seat for the entire journey, paying the optional €3 reservation fee is virtually essential.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Trenitalia from €12.90

Trenitalia Guide

Trenitlalia is the national rail operator in Italy and in addition to its cheaper types of ticket; it also typically offers other discounts available to non-Italians, which include:

  • Group Offers, provides for a discount of up to 50% when 3-5 Adults travel together.
  • Family Offer for when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 11 and under.
  • The Children Free Offer is available for journeys by Frecce trains, when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 15 and under.
    Those aged 15 and under travel for free, but the Adults will need to purchase full price 'Base' tickets.
Italia rail from €12.90

Italia rail Guide

Italiarail lives up to its name by selling tickets for rail journeys within Italy and the core feature of its service is that it is primarily designed to be used by international visitors to Italy.
So the English translations of place names are used when looking up journeys and the terms and conditions for using each type of ticket are clearly explained.
It also clearly points out the additional costs of upgrading to other classes and types of tickets while spelling out the additional benefits of doing so.
Though Italiarail will charge a booking fee, typically of around €3.

The Early Bird service

Italiarail has launched an 'early bird' pre-booking service for journeys by Frecce trains.
Tickets can be booked up to a year ahead of travel at a flat-rate price per route, before the tickets have been released for sale by Trenitalia.
If when they are placed on sale, the price is cheaper than what you have already paid to Italiarail, it will automatically refund the price difference.
Conversely, if the price is more expensive, you won't be charged the price difference.
You can also have the peace of mind of securing your seat(s) on the Frecce train(s) when you are first planning a trip.
If before the tickets are placed on sale, you decide to change your plans, you can request a refund; but once the tickets are released for sale, you will then be bound by the terms and conditions of the ticket(s) you have booked.

On this journey

Travelling On
A refurbished train with the new red/white colour scheme
Intercity (Italy) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - YesCoastal viewsNot High Speed

Good to Know

These trains DON'T depart from the AV station at Bologna Centrale - instead they depart from the main station.

Travellers have stepped out into the corridor on the IC train in order to take in the coastal views Travellers have stepped out into the corridor on the IC train in order to take in the coastal views

These trains take the same route as the Frecce trains.

Option 3: taking the Italo trains

Journey Summary

From
Bologna
The main departure hall is to the right, the Ovest entrance is on the far left
Bologna Centrale Rail Station Guide
To
Bari (for ferries to Patras, on to Athens)
Bari Centrale Rail Station Guide
Travel Time
7hr 15min (approx)
Frequency
Daily
Travel Information

Final Destination: Bari

2 x trains per day

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open:: around 3 months ahead of the travel date

The high speed (AV) train service between Bologna and Napoli is provided by:

(1) these Italo trains
(2) alternative Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia

Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale around 6 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are made available around 3 to 4 months ahead.
However, Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains - and Italo does not sell tickets for the Trenitalia trains.

If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce and Italo trains can be directly compared on with Trainline or Omio, though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.

Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.

Eurail and InterRail passes can't be used on Italo trains.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Italo *

Italo Guide

Trenitalia *

Trenitalia Guide

Trenitlalia is the national rail operator in Italy and in addition to its cheaper types of ticket; it also typically offers other discounts available to non-Italians, which include:

  • Group Offers, provides for a discount of up to 50% when 3-5 Adults travel together.
  • Family Offer for when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 11 and under.
  • The Children Free Offer is available for journeys by Frecce trains, when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 15 and under.
    Those aged 15 and under travel for free, but the Adults will need to purchase full price 'Base' tickets.
Omio *

Omio Guide

Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.

The three key advantages of using Omio are

  • it offers prices in multiple currencies
  • it usually offers price comparison with other modes of travel including flights and buses
  • when visiting Europe, you can book journeys in multiple countries in one transaction.

The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.

On this journey

Travelling On
One of the newer Italo trains which are mainly used on services to/from Venice/Venezia
Italo (Italy) Train Guide

Journey Features

High Speed (partial journey)

Good to Know

These trains take a different route to most of the Frecce services operated by Trenitalia

This trains travel on the high speed speed to the outskirts of Roma.
After reversing direction in Roma Termini station they then travel on another high speed line until Caserta, with the final 3hr 30mins on a conventional railway

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