We visited Puglia (Apulia) in June 2026 and spent 11 days driving around in an SUV, starting from Bari. After the trip, our conclusion is simple: renting a car was the best decision we made.
The region has white towns, historic cities, olive groves and crystal-clear beaches. Many of the places we liked most are nowhere near a train station.
In this guide we tell you what we paid, what driving and parking were like, and what you should know about insurance, ZTL zones and documents before you book.
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Train or car in Puglia?
The train is a good option for linking some of the main cities. There is rail service between:
- Bari
- Polignano a Mare
- Monopoli
- Brindisi
- Lecce
If your trip focuses on the bigger cities, the train may be enough.
The limits show up when you want to go further. The network doesn’t reach many inland towns, doesn’t cover rural areas and doesn’t give direct access to several beaches. Alberobello, Locorotondo, Ostuni and Martina Franca are much harder to visit using public transport alone.
So the train works for going from city to city, but it doesn’t replace a car on a more complete trip.
Is it worth renting a car in Puglia?
For us, yes. If you want to get off the obvious routes, it pays off.
The car let us visit several towns in a single day, stop at viewpoints and beaches that aren’t on the usual itineraries, and set our own pace. It also let us sleep outside the busiest cities and get to know the countryside better.
With an SUV we went even further: we reached the masserias where we stayed along dirt roads. Without a car, many of these trips would have taken much longer or simply wouldn’t have been possible.
How much our rental cost
So you can compare, these were the numbers for our June 2026 trip:
- Car: SUV, for 11 days
- Price: €343 with Super CDW (full coverage), about €31 per day
- Deposit: €820 pre-authorization held on the credit card
- Fuel: we filled the tank twice over the 11 days; what you spend depends on your itinerary and on fuel prices at the time
- Tolls: none on our itinerary
Prices change with the season and with how early you book. Always compare before you commit.
Where to rent a car in Puglia
We booked through DiscoverCars, the site we have used for years to book cars. We like being able to compare several companies, see the terms clearly and add insurance right in the booking.
We picked up the car at Bari airport, simply because our route started in Bari. If your itinerary starts somewhere else, compare the pick-up points. And if you need to sleep in Bari before you pick up the car, see places to stay in Bari.
If you have rented a car in other destinations, you can see how we did it in Japan and in Tasmania.
Which car to choose
In most situations a small car is enough: it’s easier to drive on narrow streets, simpler to park and uses less fuel.
We rented an SUV because of the masserias where we stayed, which are reached by dirt roads. With an SUV we had no worries on those roads, but looking back, a small car would have been enough for most of the route. If your accommodation is in a rural area, ask your host what the access is like before you decide.
Insurance, deductible and full coverage
This is one of the most important points when you rent a car. Look carefully at:
- the type of insurance included
- the amount of the deductible (also called the excess)
- what the coverage excludes
We always choose full coverage, travel assistance and zero deductible. It costs a little more, but it gives us peace of mind. In tourist areas, scratches and bumps while parking are common, and with a high deductible the bill can add up quickly.
Driving in Puglia: what to expect
Driving in Puglia was easy. The roads were in good condition, there was little traffic outside the big cities and the driving was calm.
Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL)
Many cities have historic centers with restricted access. Entering a ZTL without authorization can get you a fine, even if you do it by mistake.
We didn’t get any. The trick is to watch for the signs that mark the start of the zone, because they tell you whether the ZTL is active or not at that moment. Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE) warns that fines usually arrive after the trip and that rental companies may charge an administrative fee to process them. And don’t leave valuables in sight in the car: the MNE warns of frequent break-ins in car parks.
Parking
To pay, we used the EasyPark app almost everywhere. Just check in the app that the city you are in is available. In most towns there are also car parks near the historic center.
Documents you need to rent a car in Italy
For Portuguese citizens:
- a valid driver’s license
- citizen card or passport
- a credit card in the driver’s name
The credit card matters for the deposit (in our case, €820). If you only have a debit card, check with the rental company before you book. If you hold another nationality, check the rental company’s requirements for your passport and license.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Puglia
How much does it cost to rent a car in Puglia?
In our case, €343 for an SUV for 11 days, with Super CDW. The price changes with the season and with how early you book.
How much was the deposit?
€820, as a pre-authorization on the credit card. Check the amount in the terms of your own booking.
Are there tolls in Puglia?
On our itinerary we didn’t come across any. Check your own route before you set off.
How do I avoid fines in a ZTL?
Look for the signs that mark the start of the zone: they tell you whether the ZTL is active or not. It worked for us, and we got no fines.
Do we really need an SUV?
To reach the masserias along dirt roads, it helped. For the rest of the trip, a small car would have been enough.
How much do you spend on fuel?
We filled the tank twice in 11 days. It depends on your itinerary and on the price of fuel at the time.
Conclusion: train or car in Puglia?
The train is for getting between the big cities. The car is what lets you really get to know Puglia: more flexibility, access to less touristy places and nights outside the busiest cities.
There is much more to see in Italy. If you are planning your trip, also see our guide to Bergamo and the other articles about Italy.
