Getting Around Taranto
Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, Southern Italy, and the capital of its province. It sits on a peninsula that separates two bays: the Mar Grande, where the commercial port lies, and the Mar Piccolo, formed by the peninsula of the old city. That geography shapes how you move around: much of what a visitor wants to see is concentrated on and near the old town island, while the wider city spreads out around the bays.
Orientation and Walkability
The old town is the natural starting point for exploring on foot. The main railway station sits just a few steps north of the old town, which makes the historic core easy to reach without a car or bus once you arrive. The bus terminal on Via Cristoforo Colombo is likewise close to the commercial port and only a few steps from the stone bridge of Via Napoli, so the transport hubs and the old town are effectively within walking distance of one another.
For the rest of the city, walking is practical for short hops between nearby points, but the distances across the wider urban area mean you will likely want public transport or a car for anything beyond the centre.
Rail and Metro
Taranto's railway station is the key rail gateway, located a few steps north of the old town. It connects the city to the wider Italian network: you can reach Taranto by Eurostar from Milan, Rome, Bologna, Rimini and Bari without changing trains. For a visitor already in Italy, arriving by rail is straightforward and drops you within walking distance of the historic centre.
Buses and Public Transport
Local bus services are managed by AMAT. This is the main way to get around the city by public transport, and tickets are easy to buy:
- Where to buy: a single ordinary ticket (biglietto ordinario) can be purchased at any tobacconist or newspaper seller.
- On board: you can also buy a ticket on the bus, but it costs more than buying in advance.
- Validity: the ordinary ticket is valid for a single ride.
- Passes: longer options are available, including a time-limited ticket, a one-day solution ticket, a three-day ticket, and a seven-day ticket — useful if you plan to make several journeys during your stay.
Buying from a tobacconist or newsstand before boarding is the cheaper and more convenient habit.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The source material does not describe taxi ranks, ride-hailing apps, or private transfer services in Taranto, so it is best to arrange any taxi or transfer locally — for example, by asking at your accommodation or at the railway station — rather than relying on a specific app or company.
Getting In: Airports and Arrival
Taranto has no airport of its own; visitors fly into one of two Apulian airports and continue overland.
- Brindisi Airport (BDS), also known as Aeroporto del Salento, is the closest airport to Taranto. It is reached via freeway and has efficient shuttle services as well as many rental car agencies. It is described as the best way to reach the town from central and northern Europe, and it is served by various airlines.
- Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) is another option, mainly because it offers a higher number of destinations. It is a little further away and is reached via the Adriatic motorway. It handles many cheap flights from various European airports, including discount flights from London, Rome, Milan and elsewhere.
From either airport you can continue to Taranto by shuttle, rental car, train or long-distance bus.
Arriving by Train, Car, Bus or Boat
- By train: Taranto's railway station is a few steps north of the old town, with direct Eurostar services from Milan, Rome, Bologna, Rimini and Bari.
- By car: the motorway runs from Bologna to Taranto, making it the best route from northern Italy and the Adriatic coast. There are also defined routes from Rome, Naples and Lecce.
- By bus: the bus terminal is on Via Cristoforo Colombo, close to the commercial port and a few steps from the stone bridge of Via Napoli. Private operators connect Taranto with many cities in Italy, France, Germany and Switzerland. Almost all routes from abroad require a transfer in Milan or Bologna, and fares can change drastically depending on the period and even the day chosen.
- By boat: Costa Crociere includes the port of Taranto on some Mediterranean cruise routes. The city has no ferry companies of its own, largely because of its position in the gulf and the proximity of the Brindisi passenger port. If you arrive by pleasure craft, the tourist port is in the northern part of the old town island, facing the cruise terminal.
Practical Tips
- Base yourself near the old town or the station if you want to walk to the main sights and reach the bus and rail hubs easily.
- Buy bus tickets at a tobacconist or newsstand rather than on board to pay less.
- Consider a multi-day bus pass if you plan several journeys; single-ride tickets only cover one ride.
- If you are flying in, Brindisi is the closer airport, while Bari offers more destinations — choose based on your flight options and onward connections.
- Long-distance bus fares vary widely by date, so book early if your travel dates are fixed.