A Travel Guide on How to Get To Matera, Italy
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Find out exactly how to get to Matera by driving, taking the train or bus and which airport to fly into!
Unlike the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, Matera is a gem in Italy that isn’t exactly one direct flight away. Nestled in the southern end of Italy between the sea, mountains, and farmlands is an ancient marvel worth the small hurdles to get to.
Reaching Matera will likely require a multi-leg journey but once you’re there, you’ll be glad you made the effort!
Whether your trip involves a couple of plane rides, switching trains and catching buses, or road-tripping through various regions, just getting to Matera can be a small adventure in itself.
In this guide, you’ll find the most convenient ways and tips on how to get to Matera, Italy.
🧳 Top Rated: Day Trip to Matera From Bari
Not interested in a self guided trip? Book a day trip with transportation and a guide included!
Quick Guide: How to Get to Matera
💻 You can only book a train from Bari to Matera on this website or in-person. You won’t find train tickets or routes posted on any apps like Omio or Trainline but the train does exist.
🚐 A bus ride from Bari to Matera is quicker than the train.
🛫 The closest international airport to Matera is located in Bari.
🚉 Getting to Matera from Rome or Naples is effortless by train. However, given the travel time, do not plan a day trip to Matera from Rome or Naples.
🤝 Guided tours to Matera that depart from Bari and are the perfect solution for anyone who doesn’t want to plan their own transportation.
Where is Matera?
The 9,000-year-old urban phenomenon can be found in southern Italy, over 400 km from Rome. From both the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea, Matera is situated approximately one hour away.
Matera belongs to the Basilicata region, despite it being popularly included in Puglia trip itineraries.
The region of Basilicata is small, primarily consisting of rural villages and only having two provinces – Potenza and Matera.
Overall, Basilicata is a quiet region that doesn’t experience many tourists, with the exception of Sassi di Matera (Matera’s historic town). Its landscape varies from nature reserves, dense forests, a charming coastline, and captivating towns.
Taking Public Transportation to Matera
How to Get To Matera by Bus
Bus transportation in Italy is undeservedly overlooked due to the romanticizing of European train travel. Yes, the train is a fantastic way to travel, but it really does depend on where you are.
In southern Italy particularly, the bus is a really convenient, inexpensive, and quick way to get around.
Reaching Matera from major departure points in neighboring regions by bus often takes just as long as if you were to travel by car. Some of the most prominent routes to Matera by bus include:
- Naples to Matera – 4 hours
- Rome to Matera – Ranges from 6 to 8 hours
- Lecce to Matera – 4 hours
- Taranto to Matera – 2.5 hours
- Bari to Matera – 1 hour
- Brindisi to Matera – 3 hours
- Salerno to Matera – 3 hours
Bus routes heading to Matera are operated by a few different companies, including Flixbus, Bus Miccolis, Marino Bus, and Itabus.
Instead of referencing each individual website for timetables, save yourself the headache and use a bus search engine instead. Busbud and Omio are both extremely easy to use and are known to provide accurate timetables and prices.
📍 The main bus stop for arrivals from outside of Matera will drop you off here (Matera Via Don Luigi Sturzo). From there, it’s roughly a 20 minute walk to the historic center of Matera.
How to Get To Matera by Train
The Matera Centrale train station is relatively newly reconstructed (as far as train stations in Italy go), which may be a sign that the city is preparing itself for increased train traffic.
As of now, it’s not particularly versatile, especially for tourists but perhaps there is incentive to improve this. Of course, train travel to Matera isn’t just for the benefit of tourists, as many locals also commute throughout the region without a car.
The central train station in Matera is located within a short 5-10-minute walk of Sassi di Matera. Tourists who are flying into Bari and planning on visiting Matera will need to know that this is the station which connects Bari Centrale to Matera.
A bit more on this below, but the train tickets from Bari to Matera are unfortunately challenging to book online and it’s best to do this at a physical station.
If you are coming from western Italian cities like Rome or Naples, trains depart regularly and will likely make a stop in Salerno for a train change.
It’s important to keep in mind that train travel can be an efficient way to reach Matera, but it depends on where you’re departing from. Furthermore, train tickets commonly cost twice as much as bus rides.
Flying to Matera, Italy
How to Get To Matera, Italy From the UK
Flying from one of London’s airports to Bari Airport is the quickest way to reach Matera, Italy. Two popular budget airlines, Ryanair and easyJet, offer nonstop flights to Bari Airport from London.
Direct flights from London to Bari are possible when departing from STN and LGW. During the peak travel season, nonstop flights between Bari and the UK are frequent, with even additional airlines like British Airways joining in.
The journey by plane from London to Bari takes just under three hours, plus the additional travel time to get to Matera from Bari.
Getting To Matera, Italy From the US
Americans planning to visit Matera should prepare for a flight to Bari Airport (also known as Bari Palese) with at least one layover.
If you’re flying from a major US airport hub like Chicago or NYC, a brief stop in Rome before landing in Bari is typical. Based on the frequent airline companies that make the transatlantic journey, it’s also common to have a layover in Munich before reaching Bari Airport.
Visitors flying to Europe from America may benefit from searching for tickets for two separate round trips.
Often times, it’s possible to receive a better price if you book a round trip ticket to Rome and then a second round trip ticket from Rome to Bari. This isn’t always a sure win, but if you’re mindful of a budget, it’s a trick worth trying.
Driving to Matera, Italy
Reaching Matera by car is eventful from any direction. After all, a drive throughout any part of Italy is bound to include many beautiful towns, breathtaking views, and historical sights.
Whether you treat your drive to Matera like a road trip or mere commute, it’s guaranteed to be a scenic journey.
Although they are not freeways by US standards, the major motorways in Italy are the quickest ways to get from point A to point B. They are easy to navigate, clearly marked, and the smoothest way to reach Matera.
Motorways from neighboring destinations in Puglia are also not tolled, something that is uncommon in comparison to the rest of Italian highways. We found that toll roads begin in Bari and stretch north but do not apply south of Bari.
From Bari, the quickest way to drive to Matera is along the SS96 highway to Altamura, then the SS99 highway to Matera.
If your schedule permits, it’s recommended to take the back roads instead, as they’re typically far more enjoyable and allow you to come across additional attractions without any planning.
Nearby gems that can be seen around Matera include Chiesa Diruta on the west and Gravina in Puglia in the north. The local routes are also never tolled, which is something to be mindful of if you’re watching expenses.
From the Adriatic side of Puglia, it takes one hour by car to reach Matera from Bari. Naples is 3 hours away, while Rome is 5 hours away from Matera.
Where to Park in Matera
Driving and parking in Sassi di Matera are off-limits for non-authorized vehicles (non-residents).
Although this may sound like a hassle, the town has done a good job of providing sufficient solutions for tourists. Just outside the perimeter of the historic town is where you’ll find parking lots, garages, and even street parking.
Before arriving by car, it is recommended to research the parking options beforehand so you’re not aimlessly circling around town. The easiest way to do so is by searching for parking (or “parcheggio” in Italian) in Google Maps.
When doing so, don’t overlook the step of checking the street view of the parking lot to ensure it’s a legitimate option. Alternatively, you can follow signs with a large “P” on them while driving throughout Matera.
There are a couple of things to keep in mind when deciding on where to park. First, if you’re budget-conscious, know that the closer you park to Sassi di Matera, the more expensive the tariff will be.
In fact, if you are okay with walking 10-15 minutes, it’s possible to find free street parking within the residential streets on the opposite side of town. However, if you’re visiting Matera in the summer, you shouldn’t rely on this as plan A.
Matera Parking Recommendations
Paid lots and garages will be the norm when finding parking in Matera. The cost ranges from €0.50 – €1 per hour, and there is usually a maximum total or daily rate as well.
Our favorite parking garage in Matera is Parcheggio Sant’Isidoro, which costs around €20 for the entire day and is very closely located to Sassi di Matera. The best open car park is here, near the Matera train station and costs a bit less.
For public parking lots that aren’t privately operated, it’s possible to pay with the EasyPark App (super convenient to have downloaded when driving in Italy) or in cash.
🚐 Travelling in a camper van or bigger car? There are outdoor parking lot options like this one available in Matera for taller vehicles.
Taking a Ferry to Visit Matera, Italy
Bari is not only the gateway to Matera by plane, but also by sea. To visit Matera from across the Adriatic Sea, it’s possible to reach Italy by ferry.
Puglia has two major ferry ports (Bari and Brindisi) which serve routes across the Adriatic Sea and from the Balkan countries or even Greece.
The sea journeys are much more frequent during the summer months and are an efficient option for travelers looking to cross the Adriatic with a car. Voyaging from Durres (in Albania) to Bari’s port by car ferry takes around 8 hours, which typically takes place overnight.
Upon arriving in Italy after taking a ferry, you’ll finish the last leg of journey by driving to Matera from either Bari (1 hour) or Brindisi (2 hours).
FAQs for Getting to Matera, Italy
What Is the Best Way to Get From Rome to Matera?
Although it’s not recommended to make a day trip to Matera from Rome, the accessibility between the two is really convenient. Both Rome and Matera are fantastic destinations that don’t require a car to explore.
For travellers who are not driving during their time in Italy, getting to Matera from Rome by train is the best method.
On a daily basis, the train from Rome to Matera typically leaves at noon from Roma Termini Station. The travel time takes just over 5 hours and is equivalent to if you were driving.
Traveling to Matera from Rome by train does require one change of trains, usually in Salerno. Unfortunately, the speedy transition between Rome and Matera doesn’t come too cheap unless you book well in advance!
Bus rides from Rome to Matera are more affordable and nearly half the cost. However, travelers who opt for the bus must prepare for a longer trip of nearly 8 hours.
Is There a Train From Bari to Matera?
It is possible to reach Matera from Bari by train. The service is operated by a private line (Ferrovie Appulo Lucane) which doesn’t post their schedule anywhere online but on their own website.
For the time being, you won’t be able to book train tickets from Bari to Matera (or vice versa) by using an app like Omio or Trainline. But, this doesn’t mean that the train schedule/route doesn’t exist.
You must book train tickets from Bari to Matera online here or in-person at the train station (either in Bari or Matera). This local train does make a ton of stops so if you’re in a hurry, the train ride will feel very tedious.
Alternatively, take the bus from Bari to Matera instead. Routes and tickets can effortlessly be booked with Omio ahead of time and without any issues.
Is Matera Worth Going To?
It is no secret – we really love Italy. But even we can admit that some of its destinations are just too popular because of their accessibility. When places like Rome are a nonstop flight away from an entirely different continent, some of the magic that comes with just getting there is lost.
Reaching Matera requires a bit of a hop, skip, and leap, which makes finally arriving in Matera even more beautiful.
So, is the multi-step journey to Matera really worth it? Absolutely!
To have the privilege of visiting one of the oldest cities in the world is not something you’ll come across every day, not even in Italy. Matera is an exemplary scene of a historic civilization, culture, art, and the sheer creativity of humankind.
As one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it’s a place that will astound any visitor with just one glimpse of it. The beauty of Matera’s manmade and natural landscape has attracted international travelers, poets, and even filmmakers.
Whether you’re most intrigued by the rock churches, cave dwellings or the allure of getting lost in its labyrinth or staircases, Matera is simply unlike any other place in Italy. If you are ever remotely within the area of Matera, highly consider planning a visit you’ll never forget.
👍 Read More: One Day in Matera Itinerary
What Are the Best Things to Do in Matera?
Palombaro Lungo – Go underground and see the rock-carved cistern historically built to provide drinking water to Matera’s population.
Casa Grotta nei Sassi di Matera – Visit a preserved example of what it was like to live in the caves of Matera until the 1950s.
Belvedere Piazzetta Pascoli – This observation deck has one of the most breathtaking views of Sassi di Matera.
Palazzo Lanfranchi – A national museum filled with important art exhibits from various eras in a 16th-century palace.
Marvel at the architectural details of the many churches: Chiesa di San Francesco d’Assisi, Chiesa del Purgatorio, Basilica Cattedrale di Matera, San Pietro Caveoso
Belvedere Murgia Timone – A complete panoramic view of Sassi di Matera from across the ravine.
Culture Walking Tour – Join a guided walk throughout the maze of Matera’s old town to see all of its secrets, gems and important landmarks.
Explore More Destinations Nearby:
- How to Visit Calabria
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- Is Tropea Worth Visiting?
- Top Things to Do in Polignano a Mare
- Cutest Towns to See in Puglia
Matera Travel Resources
☔️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage
✈️ FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com
🚙 CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com
🚊 TRAINS & BUSES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio
🛳 FERRIES: Direct Ferries
🛌 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago
☎️ ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo
📸 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator
