From Bari Centrale, Polignano a Mare is 29 minutes away by regional train, Monopoli 35, Ostuni 57 or 58, Brindisi 79 or 81 and Lecce 112 or 113, on two example trains from the 2026 timetable. The tourist tax for a night in a 3-star hotel runs from €2 in Bari, Polignano a Mare and Monopoli to €4 in Lecce in high season. The Bari figure comes from a 2023 document and the Lecce figure from a city decision whose current validity is not established.
On this page
Almost every figure on this page was read on 9 November 2026 from the railway operator’s timetable and fare sheet and from municipal documents, and each label says where a source is older. Where a source is old, undated or disputed, this page says so. It does not rank the bases.
How the Bases Compare
| Base | Distance from Bari Centrale along the line | Example trains from Bari Centrale | Regional fare band (second class, adult, single) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bari | 0 km | not applicable | not applicable |
| Polignano a Mare | 33 km | 29 minutes | €3.10 |
| Monopoli | 41 km | 35 minutes | €4.00 |
| Ostuni | 75 km | 57 or 58 minutes | €7.00 |
| Brindisi | 111 km | 79 or 81 minutes | €10.60 |
| Lecce | 150 km | 112 or 113 minutes | €13.20 |
The times come from two trains that leave Bari Centrale at 5:02 am (05:02) and 5:20 am (05:20). Slower trains take longer. The timetable marks some trains as running only on certain days, so check the date before you travel. The fares are fare bands matched to the timetable distances, not quoted station-to-station prices.
This page does not say which pair of bases visitors usually choose. It compares the train time and the tourist tax of each base.
Tourist Tax by Base
The tax is charged per person and per night, the property collects it, and each municipality sets its own rates.
| Base | 3-star hotel | B&B, guesthouse or short-term rental | Most consecutive nights taxed | Source status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bari | €2.00 | €2.00 | 4 | Reported: 2023 rates, children under 14 exempt |
| Polignano a Mare | €2.00 | €2.00 for B&Bs and guesthouses, €1.00 for short-term rentals | 6 | Reported: tariff sheet without a date |
| Monopoli | €2 | €2 | not stated | Verified: in force since 1 March 2026 |
| Ostuni | not established | not established | not established | the rates are not on the municipality’s page |
| Lecce | €4.00 from 1 April to 31 October, €2.00 from 1 November to 31 March | €3.00 from 1 April to 31 October, €2.00 from 1 November to 31 March; short-term rentals €2.50 and €1.50 | 5 (7 for short-term rentals) | Verified as a decision of 20 February 2026; whether it is in force is not established |
In Lecce, the decision of the city executive is the only document that states amounts. The municipality’s own tax page lists none, and a search snippet reports that another city document confirms older rates, so ask your host which rate applies to your dates. Treat the Lecce rate as open.
In Ostuni the rate schedule sits on a transparency portal. It showed a bot check, and this page did not bypass it.
Does the Category of Your Stay Change the Tax?
Yes. The rate follows the category the property is registered under. An agriturismo pays €2.00 in Bari, €1.00 in Polignano a Mare and €3.00 in Lecce in high season (€2.00 in low season). A 4-star hotel pays €3.00 in Bari, €2.00 in Polignano a Mare, €4 in Monopoli and €4.50 in Lecce in high season.
This page cannot say how a given masseria is registered. If you are choosing between a masseria and a town hotel, ask the property for its category. It decides the rate.
What Is Not Confirmed Yet
- The price of a room or an apartment in any of the six bases.
- The tourist tax in Ostuni, the maximum number of taxed nights in Monopoli, the current rate in Bari and the rate in force in Lecce.
- The distance from each station to the old town.
- Places off the Trenitalia line, such as Alberobello, Locorotondo, Gallipoli and Otranto.
- How a masseria is classified.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Far Is Monopoli From Bari by Train?
Monopoli lies 41 km from Bari Centrale along the line. On two example trains of the 2026 timetable the ride takes 35 minutes, and the regional fare band for that distance is €4.00.
Can I Reach Ostuni by Train?
Yes. Ostuni has a station on the line at 75 km from Bari Centrale, and the two example trains take 57 or 58 minutes from Bari Centrale. This page does not say how far the station is from the old town.
Is There a Tourist Tax in Puglia?
Yes. Each municipality sets its own. Among the six bases, Monopoli charges €2 for a night in a hotel up to 3 stars (rates in force since 1 March 2026), and Lecce’s rates range from €1.50 to €5.00 depending on the type of stay and the season, according to a city decision whose current validity is not established.
Do Children Pay the Tourist Tax?
In Bari, children under 14 are exempt under the 2023 rules. This page did not establish the rules for the other bases, so ask your host.
Which Base Is the Cheapest?
This page did not read room prices, so it cannot say. The table shows the cost of the train and of the tax only.
Times, fares and rates on this page were read on 9 November 2026 from Trenitalia and from the municipalities of Bari, Polignano a Mare, Monopoli and Lecce. How the checks work is explained on the page about how this guide verifies facts.