By plane
Several airlines (including lowcost) fly to the two main Apulian airports of Brindisi and Bari (Aeroporti di Puglia) from the main European Capitals and other national and international destinations, both directly and with daily connections to the major Italian hubs (i.e., Rome Fiumicino, Milano Malpensa or Milano Linate).
- The closest airport to the city of Lecce is the “Aeroporto del Salento (BDS)”, located in Brindisi (c.a 45-50 km).
From Brindisi Airport, several shuttle bus run at different times of the day (aligned with flight arrivals and departures), reaching Lecce, in Largo C. Bene (Foro Boario) or nearby:
CO.TR.A.P. Consorzio Trasporti Aziende Pugliesi (one-way ticket cost: online 6.50 € and 8.50 on-board; travel time: 40-45 min);
PugliairBus (one-way ticket cost: online 6.50 €; travel time: 40 min);
Transfer service from the airport to your accommodation is offered from 20 €/person (one-way).
Another (less comfortable) solution that could be considered is:
1. reaching Brindisi train station from Brindisi Airport by shuttle bus (route AP by STP Brindisi, frequency 30 minutes; one-way ticket cost: 1,20 €; travel time: 15 min) or taxi (one ride cost 15-20 €; travel time: 10 min);
2. getting to Lecce station from Brindisi Centrale by regional (one-way ticket cost: 3,40 €; travel time: 30 min) or high-speed trains (InterCity and Frecciargento).
Also, connections between airports and to other destinations (i.e., Brindisi station) are available here.
- The second option is the International Airport “Karol Wojtyla” of Bari (BRI), at about 160 km from Lecce.
BRI (Bari) airport is connected:
- to Lecce by train that could be taken directly at the airport station (one-way ticket cost: 15-24 €, online tickets available here), with a change at Bari Centrale FNB station;
- to Bari Central Station by shuttle (one-way ticket cost: 5,00 €; travel time: 25-30 min) and urban (one-way ticket cost: 1,00 €; travel time: 39 min) bus and train (one-way ticket cost: 5,30 €; travel time: 20 min), then proceeding for Lecce in the desired way.
Private taxy service is available at both Brindisi and Bari Airport. However, if it is the choice, it is recommended to book the ride from Brindisi to Lecce (one-way ticket cost: c.a. €80-90; travel time: 30-40 min).
By train
Lecce station make rail connections to/from: Milan (9 h), Bologna (7 h), Turin (10 h), Rome (5 h), Naples (5 h), Venice (9 h), Bari (90 min) and Brindisi (30 min). Train station is about 1 km from the historical city center.
For information on ticket costs and schedules, you can visit the Trenitalia website.
By car
If you are coming from the Adriatic Coast, take the A14 (E55) highway to Bari. Then follow the signs for the SS16 Bari-Lecce.
If you are coming from the Tyrrhenian Coast, take the A16 highway to Bari and then follow the signs for the SS16 Bari-Lecce.
