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Milano / Milan / Mailand to Bari by train
How to make the journey by rail from Milan to Bari
Travelling by day has two ticks in the box over taking the overnight trains:
(1) the night trains are usually scheduled to arrive in Bari before 08:00
(2) South of Rimini, this is one of Europe's most lovely coastal rail journeys.
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Routes
Option 1: taking the faster Fecciarossa trains
Journey Summary
6hr 57min - 7hr 14 min
Daily
Travel Information
The Frecciarossa 5000 trains from Milano Centrale station to Bari have taken over the departures on this route from other types of Frecce train, despite some of the trains on this route not travelling on a high-speed line.
Though the departures which typically leave at 15:35 and 17:30 have a faster journey time by around 25 - 30 mins as they do use the high sped line between the edge of Milano and Bologna.
One departure at 10:13 now leaves from Milano Porta Garibaldi station and this train does take that high-speed line, so it is faster than the other morning departures, but only by around 15 mins.
Final Destination:
Bari or Lecce
These trains also call at: Ancona and Pescara
Connecting to Greece:
On Mondays to Saturdays the usual 08:05 departure from Milano will be typically scheduled to arrive in Bari at 15:27 and the ferry to Patras (connect for Athina/Athens) will be typically scheduled to depart Bari at 19:30.
The ferry company request that passengers should be at the port terminal two hours prior to departure in time to check-in, so by taking this train, there will be time enough for both contingency in the event of delay and a stress-free transfer from the the railway station to the port.
On Sundays the ferry to Patras will typically be scheduled to depart at 13:30, too soon for a connection to be available from a daytime train, so the only option is to take the second of the two night train departures (see below, though it will be due into Bari more than four hours before the ferry departure.
5 x trains per day from Milano Centrale
1 x train per day from Milano. P. Garibaldi
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
**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 Milano and Bari is provided by
(1) these Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia and
(2) alternative Italo trains (which take a different route)
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.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trenitalia | from €49 approx | |
| Trainline | from €49 approx | |
| Save A Train | from €49 approx | |
| Italia rail | from €49 approx | |
| Omio | from €49 approx |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
There is also a daily Frecciarossa 1000 train from Milano to Bari, but it takes an entirely different route via Roma/Rome, so it's journey time is around an hour longer than any other daytime train.
It also tends to be more expensive, so is best avoided, but if you'll need to arrive in Bari around 14:30, you can take that train.
This is a journey of contrasts.
Between Milano and Rimini between the numerous towns and cities the train will travel mainly across flat farm land.
However, there are then some fabulous views of the Adriatic Coast to be enjoyed from the left of the train, particularly between Rimini and Pescara.
Option 2: taking the slower, but cheaper IC trains
Journey Summary
10hr - 10hr 16min
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Lecce or Taranto or Bari
These trains also call at: Ancona and Pescara
These typically cheaper Intercity trains are typically scheduled to depart from Milano Centrale daily at 07:05 and on Saturdays only at 10:00
Mon-Fri: 1 x train per day
Saturday: 2 x trains
Sunday: 1 x train
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 4 months ahead of the travel date - usually
Rail pass users:
Target these IC trains if you want to save €10 on rail pass reservation fees.
Though 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.
How to book these optional pass reservations online is including on our guide to using rail passes in Italy - though this is one instance, when the only option may be to book the reservations at ticket desk at the station.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trenitalia | * | |
| Trainline | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
If you have a rail pass you can save by €10 by taking these trains and opting not to reserve seats, but if the timings don't suit it can be worth heading to Bologna on an IC or RV train and connecting there for the IC trains on from Bologna Centrale, which typically depart from there to Bari at 14:00 or 16:00.
Final Destination: Lecce or Taranto or Bari
These trains also call at: Ancona, Pescara
The service of direct trains between Milano and Bari is split between
(1) These Inter city trains
(2) alternative departures by Frecciarossa trains - fastest of all, but also usually the most expensive
(3) alternative departures by Frecciabianca trains - more frequent, faster and can be booked online
Italo trains don't operate on this route
If you are new to travelling by train in Italy, we also recommend taking a look at our Italian Train Travel Guide.
It is packed with info and useful links to help ensure you’ll have a stress-free trip.
The journey:
Type of Scenery: Coast
Star Rating: **
If your seat is on the left of the train (when facing the direction of travel) there are some fabulous views of the coast south of Rimini.
Option 3: taking an Italo train
Journey Summary
8hr 30min - 8hr 37min
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Bari Cle.
These Italo high speed services are typically scheduled to depart from Milano Centrale at 07:40 (arrive Bari at 16:10); and from Milano Centrale at 13:40 (arrive 22:17).
2 x trains per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
**Online bookings open: around 3 months ahead of the travel date
The faster (AV) train service between Milano and Bari 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 Trainline or Omio, though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.
Eurail and InterRail passes can't be used on Italo trains.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Italo | * | |
| Trainline | * | |
| Omio | * | |
| Happy rail | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
These Italo trains are slower than the Frecce trains as they take the longer route via Roma.
These Italo trains from Milano to Bari take a completely different route after Bologna to that followed by the Frecce trains, as these trains remain on Italy's north to south high speed route and don't leave it until shortly before Napoli, from where they then follow the route taken by the Rome to Bari trains.
Option: 4 travelling overnight
Journey Summary
9hr 43min - 9hr 47min
Nightly
Travel Information
Unusually for an overnight European rail service there are two nightly departures to choose from on the Milano to Bari route:
- The first train of the evening typically departs from Centrale station at 21:15 and is due into Bari shortly before 07:00
- The second train typically departs at 21:50 and is sue into Bari shortly before 08:00
Final destination: Lecce (both trains)
On Sundays the ferry to Patras (connect for Athina/Athens) will be typically scheduled to depart Bari at 13:30, so that 21:50 departure will allow time for a leisurely breakfast in Bari before heading to the port for the 11:30 check-in
2 x trains per night
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 3 months ahead of the travel date - usually
See the 'Train Guide' below for info on the type of accommodation available and the how tickets can be booked.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trenitalia | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
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