Nearest Airport to Matera: How to Get to Matera in Italy

Where is Matera in Italy and what is the closest Airport to Matera?

Matera is a historic city located in the region of Puglia in Southern Italy. It is renowned for its iconic carved ancient cave dwellings in its historic centre, known as the Sassi di Matera. Matera is situated about 65 kilometers (40 miles) south of Bari, which is the nearest major city and also where you will find the closest airport to Matera, if you’re looking to fly in.

In recent years Matera has risen in popularity as a must-visit destination in Italy, thanks in part to Instagram and also having featured as a picturesque backdrop in recent movies including Wonder Woman and 007 – James Bond.

The best way to get to Matera – What is the nearest Airort to Matera?

The best way to get to Matera depends on whether you are commuting from within Italy or Internationally. Matera is easily accessible by car and train if you are commuting within Italy. If travelling from overseas, the closest Airport to Matera Italy is Bari Airport (BRI) located north of Matera about 53.7km (33.4 miles). Based on my own recent travels across Puglia and Matera, below is a complete guide on how to get to Matera, to help you plan out your trip itinerary to this stunning city.

Nearest Airport to Matera Italy

If you are visiting Matera directly from the UK or US, it’s best to fly into one of the two nearest airports to Matera in the Puglia region noted below, rather than flying into other cities in Italy like Rome or Florence – unless of course these are on your itinerary.

What is the Nearest Airport to Matera Italy?

You have a few options of where to fly into when it comes to the closest International Airports to Matera, these are:

1. Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) – Nearest Airport to Matera

Bari Airport (BRI) is the nearest airport to Matera and considered the most convenient one to fly into.

Distance to Matera: Approximately 65 kilometers (40 miles).
- Bus: Direct buses from Bari Airport to Matera take about 1.5 hours. Companies like Pugliairbus provide this service.
- Train: Take a train from Bari Airport to Bari Centrale (main train station), then switch to the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL) train to Matera Centrale. This journey takes approximately 2-2.5 hours in total.
- Car Rental: Car rental services are available at the airport, and the drive to Matera takes about 1-1.5 hours via SS96 and SS99 highways.

2. Brindisi Papola Casale Airport (BDS) – Second Nearest Airport to Matera

Distance to Matera: Approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles).
- Bus: Direct bus services to Matera are limited, so it may be necessary to first take a bus to Bari and then switch to a service heading to Matera. This can take around 3-4 hours in total.
- Train: Take a train from Brindisi Airport to Bari Centrale and then transfer to the FAL train to Matera. This journey takes around 3-3.5 hours in total.
- Car Rental: Renting a car is a convenient option, and the drive to Matera takes about 2 hours via SS7 highway.

3. Naples Capodichino Airport (NAP)

Distance to Matera: Approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles).
- Bus: Direct buses from Naples to Matera are available and the journey takes around 4-5 hours.
- Car Rental: Renting a car is a viable option, and the drive to Matera takes approximately 3-3.5 hours via the A16 and SS655 highways.
- Train: Although there trains are technically an option, from Naples these require multiple changes with the journey taking 5 – 6 hours, so I would avoid this option if possible.

Nearest Airport to Matera – Things to consider when booking flights

When deciding which Airport to fly into to visit Matera, I would highly recommend mapping out your full itinerary for Italy before deciding. I personally found that although Brindisi Airport (BDS) is not the closest Airport to Matera, it is still considered one of the best Airports to fly into. The reasons being that Brindisi Airport is actally a lot closer to many of the smaller cities and towns in the Puglia region in Italy where Matera is located. As such, if you are covering other destinations in Puglia such as Ostuni, Lecce and Monopoli, in addition to Matera, then Brindisi may actually be the better choice of Airports to fly into. I personally flew into Bari and flew out from Brindisi Airport and found both reasonably easy to get to.

Driving to Matera

Hiring a car is also an excellent option to get around Italy, if you don’t mind the narrower roads and Italian road rules.

From Bari:
- Distance: Approximately 65 km (40 miles)
- Route: Take the SS96 highway towards Altamura, then follow the SS99 to Matera.
- Estimated Drive Time: About 1.5 hours
From Naples:
- Distance: Approximately 250 km (155 miles)
- Route: Take the A16 highway towards Candela, then follow the SS655 and SS99 to Matera.
- Estimated Drive Time: Around 3.5 hours
From Rome:
- Distance: Approximately 460 km (285 miles)
- Route: Take the A1 highway south towards Naples, then follow the A16 towards Candela, and finally take the SS655 and SS99 to Matera.
- Estimated Drive Time: Around 5-6 hours

Where to Park in Matera

It is important to note that the inside of the Old City of Matera – Sassi as it is known is classified as a ZTL zone, meaning there is restricted traffic inside and the zone and the roads inside are off limits to unauthorized vehicles during certain hours.

This means if your hotel is located inside the Sassi, you will most likely need to park outside the Sassi zone, and make your way into the Sassi with your luggage on foot.

However I would recommend checking guidance from your hotel in advance as they are typically able to guide you to the closest and most convenient parking locations based on the location of your hotel. Nonetheless, here are some of the best places to park, conveniently located close to the entrance into the Sassi.

1. Parcheggio Via Rocco Scotellaro (Central Park)

This centrally located parking facility is very convenient for accessing the Sassi and other major attractions. It’s one of the largest parking areas in Matera, providing ample space and close proximity to the historic sites

Rate: Approximately €1.50 per hour.
Address: Via Rocco Scotellaro, 75100 Matera MT, Italy.

2. Parcheggio Sant’Isidoro

Located close to the Sassi, Parcheggio Sant’Isidoro offers a large number of parking spaces and easy access to the historic center. It’s an excellent choice for tourists who want to be near the ancient cave dwellings
Rate: Approximately €1.00 per hour.
Address: Via Sant’Isidoro, 75100 Matera MT, Italy.

We personally chose to park at this place, given its proximity to Sassi and price.

3. Parcheggio Piazza Cesare Firrao

This parking area is conveniently close to the Sassi and the city center. It provides easy access to Matera’s main attractions, making it a practical option for tourists.

Rate: Approximately €1.00-€1.50 per hour.
Address: Piazza Cesare Firrao, 75100 Matera MT, Italy.

Overall, I would say there are some cheaper place located further away, but given most tourists will need to make their way to their hotel in Sassi, without a car, its best to pick somewhere close to the Sassi, as you will be walking with luggage and there is a lot of steps once you’re inside the Sassi!

Public transport to Matera

One of the best things about Italy is its extensive rail and bus network which makes a lot of the country easily accessible without a car.

Matera by bus

Naples to Matera

Top Providers: MarinoBus, FlixBus
Duration & Frequency: The journey typically takes around 4 to 5 hours, with several daily departures.
Ticket Prices: Approximately €15-€30 one-way.
Booking: Purchase tickets online via the MarinoBus website and the FlixBus website.

Bari to Matera

Top Providers: Miccolis, Pugliairbus
Duration & Frequency: The journey typically takes around 1.5 hours, with frequent departures throughout the day.
Ticket Prices: Approximately €5-€10 one-way.
Booking: Book tickets online on the Miccolis website and the Pugliairbus websites.

Rome to Matera

Top Providers: MarinoBus, FlixBus
Duration & Frequency: The journey typically takes around 6 to 7 hours, with several daily departures.
Ticket Prices: Approximately €20-€40 one-way.
Booking: Tickets can be booked via the MarinoBus website and the FlixBus website.

How to get to Matera by train

Matera from Bari

Route: Bari Centrale to Matera Centrale station on Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL)
Duration & Frequency: Approximately 1.5 hours, with trains running frequently throughout the day, typically every hour.
Ticket Prices: Approximately €5-€7 one-way. Tickets can be purchased at Bari Centrale station or online via the FAL website.

Matera from Rome

Route: Rome Termini to Bari Centrale on Trenitalia to Bari
- Duration & Frequency: Approximately 4 hours by high-speed train (Frecciargento or Frecciarossa), with multiple trains daily.
- Ticket Prices: Starting from €30 for economy class if booked in advance; higher prices apply closer to the travel date. Tickets are available via Trenitalia or Italo.
Transfer: Bari Centrale to Matera Centrale on Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL)
- Duration & Frequency: Approximately 1.5 hours, with trains running frequently throughout the day, typically every hour.
- Ticket Prices: Approximately €5-€7 one-way. Tickets can be purchased at Bari Centrale station or online via the FAL website.

Matera from Naples

Trenitalia to Salerno, then to Bari, and FAL to Matera

Route: Naples Centrale to Salerno
- Duration & Frequency: Approximately 30-40 minutes by regional train, with frequent departures.
- Ticket Prices: Approximately €5-€8 one-way. Tickets are available via Trenitalia.
Transfer: Salerno to Bari Centrale
- Train Operator: Trenitalia (Intercity or Frecciargento).
- Duration & Frequency: Approximately 3 hours, with multiple trains daily.
- Ticket Prices: Starting from €20 for economy class if booked in advance. Tickets are available via Trenitalia.
Transfer: Bari Centrale to Matera Centrale
- Train Operator: Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL).
- Duration & Frequency: Approximately 1.5 hours, with trains running frequently throughout the day, typically every hour.
- Ticket Prices: Approximately €5-€7 one-way. Tickets can be purchased at Bari Centrale station or online via the FAL website.

For Naples to Matera, I personally wouldn’t recommend trains as an option. Flying to Bari, or taking the Flixbus are quicker options.

Is Matera worth going to?

Having recently visited the Puglia region I have to say that Matera was my absolute favorite place in the region. The city is known for its ancient cave dwellings, also known as the Sassi.

Inside the sassy itself you will find the Labyrinth of medieval Streets, cave churches and ancient dwellings which are carved into limestone rock formations. The houses and dwellings ability or date back 1000s years and it truly feels like overlooking an ancient storybook city.

A highlight for me was sitting on the balcony of our cave hotel as the sunset over the sassy, and the stone cave dwellings across the city glow with a warm golden hue.

5 Best Things to Do in Matera

1. Explore the Sassi di Matera

There is no better way to experience Matera than getting lost in the Labyrinth streets of the Sassi. One of the best places to explore, which also provides excellent vantage point views is along the Rione Casalnuovo.

2. Visit the Matera Cathedral:

This cathedral is located at the highest point of the city. Even if you aren’t going inside, being here offers some of the best panoramic views of the Sassi’s landscape.

3. Discover Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario

This Museum provides a glimpse into the past showing how people lived in the ancient cave dwellings for thousands of years

4. Frescoes in the Rock Churches:

The Santa Maria de Idris and San Pietro Barisano are adorned with ancient frescoes that showcase artistic history of the region.

5. Tour the Palombaro Lungo:

This is a massive ancient cistern that was intricately designed to provide water to the city of Matera centuries ago. Known also as the ‘cathedral of water’. I found this place to be a fascinating and unique experience.

Best viewpoints in Matera

1. Belvedere di Murgia Timone

This viewpoint is located across the Gravina River from the Sassi and provides an iconic panoramic view of Matera capturing the beauty of the ancient cave dwellings and the dramatic limestone cliffs. It’s great for sunset shots when the warm glow accentuates the stone buildings

2. Piazza Duomo

This is located right to the Matera Cathedral, which also happens to be the highest point in the city. As such, this viewpoint has some of the best broad views of the cave dwellings below.

There are literally so many more, some of the best viewpoints I found, were simply ones I just stumbled upon while walking around getting lost in the labyrinth of streets!

Matera Travel Tips

Some suggestions based on my own research and travels to Matera – in no particular order.

Late spring and early autumn are ideal to enjoy mild weather and fewer tourists .
Plan ahead and book early if you want to stay in one of Matera’s unique cave hotels for the full cave city experience, these places get booked up early or can go up in price significantly the later they are booked.
The best times for photography are early morning and late afternoon, including sunset. The glow from of the cave dwellings come alive with sunset.
Matera’s streets are uneven and hilly, the rocks can also be slippery at times, so good footwear is essential, as waking is literally the only way to explore this place.
If you are driving to Matera, make sure you know where you will be parking outside the Sassi when you arrive. It is best to check for guidance from your hotel if you have any doubts.

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