VRENTY CAR is an independent comparison service. The search above is provided by our partner Localrent and lists local agencies side by side; you book directly with the provider. Always confirm the price, insurance and deposit before you pay.
📍 Bari: the main city of Puglia on the Adriatic coast; the airport (BRI) is about 10 km north-west of the centre.
Do You Need a Car in Bari?
Not for Bari itself, which is compact and walkable. But Puglia's best places are towns and coves with little public transport, so a car is almost essential for a road trip.
Our advice: pick up the car on the day you leave the city, pick a compact car for the trulli villages and old-town lanes, and park outside the historic centres.
Drive Times from Bari
Times are approximate and depend on traffic; use live navigation for the real figure.
| Destination | Approx. distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Bari Airport (BRI) | ~10 km | about 15–30 min |
| Polignano a Mare | ~35 km | about 35–50 min |
| Alberobello | ~55 km | about 1 hour |
| Matera | ~65 km | about 1–1.25 hours |
| Lecce | ~150 km | about 1.5–2 hours |
ZTLs, Ferries and Country Roads
Bari Vecchia and the historic centres of Ostuni, Lecce and Polignano are ZTL or heavily restricted, so park outside them. The port has ferries to Greece, Albania and Croatia; a rental car may be taken on a ferry only with the agency's permission and the right insurance, so ask in writing before you plan a crossing.
- Do not enter the old towns without checking ZTL signs
- Ask the agency before taking the car abroad or on a ferry
- Summer parking at the beaches fills by mid-morning
- Fines from ZTLs and cameras are sent to the agency, which charges you after the rental
Pick-Up and Delivery
Pick-up is usually delivered to your hotel in Bari, or collected at Bari Airport (BRI). Use the "Specify location" option in the search to choose, and check the car card for any fee. Do not rely on a named office unless it is written on the car card. If you arrive late, give the provider your flight number.
Documents and Age
- Valid driving licence, usually held for at least a year; minimum age is typically 21 (23 or 25 for larger or premium cars)
- Your valid driving licence; licences issued outside the EU or EEA are commonly accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a certified translation — rules depend on the country that issued your licence and can change, so ask the agency what it requires before you travel
- Passport and the booking voucher
- A payment method that matches the offer: many agencies block the deposit on a credit card; use the No deposit or No credit card filter if you need an alternative
Insurance and Deposit Explained
With basic insurance the excess — your share of any damage — can be large and the agency blocks a deposit. Full coverage brings the excess close to zero and, with many local agencies, means no deposit. Typical exclusions are tyres, glass, the underbody, interior damage and lost keys, and the cover is not valid off-road. ZTL fines, autostrada tolls and parking are billed separately. Photograph the car with the agent at pick-up and return and make sure all damage is in the acceptance document.
Driving in Bari: Roads and Habits
Puglia is flat with straight roads, but lorries, tractors and slow traffic are common on country lanes. In the trulli area, stone walls line the road, and olive groves sometimes block visibility at junctions.
- Traffic drives on the right; seatbelts are compulsory and children need a suitable seat; the rental should include a warning triangle and a reflective vest
- ZTL (zona a traffico limitato) zones are the biggest pitfall: many historic centres are closed to non-resident cars, cameras read the plate, and the fine can reach you months after the trip, billed by the agency with a handling fee
- Speed limits are signed: typically 50 km/h in towns, around 90 km/h on main roads outside towns and up to 130 km/h on autostrade (lower in rain); speed cameras, including average-speed (Tutor) sections on autostrade, are common
- On the autostrada you usually take a ticket at the entry and pay at the exit; ask the agency about the lanes and any electronic tag, and avoid yellow tag-only lanes
- Parking lines: white is usually free, blue is paid (pay at a machine or app), yellow is reserved for residents, disabled drivers or loading; check the signs for time limits and street-cleaning days
- Drink-driving limits are low and enforced; do not drive after drinking, and no handheld phone while driving
- Dipped headlights are generally required outside built-up areas; check the signs and ask the agency
- Winter tyres or snow chains are required on many signed roads, roughly mid-October to mid-April; verify the current rules and ask the agency what is fitted
- Do not take the car off the paved road: insurance is not valid there