Brindisi is a straightforward city for travellers, but a few practical details make the difference between a smooth trip and a frustrating one. This guide covers transport, money, safety, and the questions visitors ask most often: how to get from the airport to the centre, whether you can drink the tap water, and what a taxi should actually cost. Brindisi operates on southern Italian rhythms; shops close for the afternoon riposo (roughly 1pm to 4:30pm), dinner starts at 8pm or later, and things move more slowly in August when half the city is on holiday.
Brindisi Travel Tips & FAQ: Airport and Arrival
Brindisi-Salento Airport (BDS), also called Aeroporto del Salento or Papola Casale Airport, is 6 km north of the city centre. It handles Ryanair, easyJet, ITA Airways, and seasonal charter flights from across Europe. The Airport Bus (STP line AP) runs from the terminal to Brindisi Centrale station every 30-60 minutes depending on the season, takes about 15 minutes, and costs 1 EUR (buy tickets from the machine in the arrivals hall or on the STP app). A taxi from the airport to the city centre costs a fixed 20 EUR (official rate posted at the taxi stand); confirm the price before getting in, as some drivers quote higher rates to tourists. Car rental desks at the airport include Hertz, Avis, Europcar, and Sicily by Car; book ahead in summer. For more detail, see our Brindisi weather by month.
Brindisi Travel Tips & FAQ: Getting Around
Brindisi’s centre is walkable; you can cross from the train station to the Roman Column in about 15 minutes on foot. STP Brindisi operates the city bus network. Single tickets cost 1 EUR (valid 90 minutes) and are sold at tabacchi (tobacco shops) and newsstands, not on the bus. The most useful lines for visitors: Line 4 to the Commenda district, Line 6 to the hospital area, and the AP airport bus. Buses run roughly 6am to 9pm with reduced Sunday service. For Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve, take the STP bus toward Serranova from the stop on Via Cristoforo Colombo near the station. Taxis wait at the station and Piazza della Vittoria; a trip within the centre costs 8-12 EUR. Uber does not operate in Brindisi; use the appTaxi or ChiamaTaxi apps to book. For more detail, see our best time to visit Brindisi.
Brindisi Travel Tips & FAQ: Ferries to Greece
Brindisi is Italy’s main ferry gateway to Greece. Grimaldi Lines and Anek Superfast operate routes to Igoumenitsa (8 hours), Corfu (7 hours), and Patras (16 hours overnight). The ferry terminal is at the end of Via del Mare, a 15-minute walk from the train station or a 5-minute taxi ride (8-10 EUR). Check-in closes 2 hours before departure. Summer schedules (June-September) offer daily departures; winter schedules drop to 2-3 per week. You can book tickets at the port ticket offices, online at grimaldi-lines.com or anek.gr, or through Direct Ferries. One-way deck passage to Igoumenitsa costs 40-70 EUR per person in high season; a 2-berth cabin on the overnight Patras route costs 90-140 EUR per person. Bring snacks and water; the ferry cafes are expensive. Vehicles cost extra (60-100 EUR for a standard car one-way). For more detail, see our things to do in Brindisi.
Brindisi Travel Tips & FAQ: Money and Practicalities
Italy uses the euro (EUR). ATMs (bancomat) are plentiful in the centre; look for Banca Popolare Pugliese, UniCredit, or Intesa Sanpaolo branches on Corso Garibaldi and Piazza della Vittoria. Many smaller restaurants, B&Bs, and market stalls are cash-only, so keep 50-100 EUR in cash. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels and mid-range to high-end restaurants. Tipping is not expected in Italy; round up to the nearest euro for coffee (a 1.10 EUR espresso becomes 1.20 EUR) and leave 5-10% at restaurants only for notably good service. Tap water in Brindisi is safe to drink but has a slightly chlorinated taste; most locals drink bottled water, which costs about 0.30 EUR for 1.5 litres at supermarkets. For more detail, see our Brindisi events and festivals.
Brindisi Travel Tips & FAQ: Eating and Drinking
Dinner in Brindisi starts late by northern European standards; most restaurants open at 7:30pm or 8pm and fill up after 9pm. Lunch is served from 12:30pm to about 2:30pm. Between 3pm and 7pm, most kitchens are closed; you can get coffee, pastries, or a panino at a bar, but do not expect a full meal. An espresso at the bar costs 1.00-1.20 EUR; sitting at a table adds a coperto (cover charge) of 1-3 EUR. A three-course dinner with house wine for two at a mid-range trattoria costs about 50-70 EUR total. Local specialities to try: orecchiette con cime di rapa (ear-shaped pasta with turnip greens), riso patate e cozze (baked rice with potatoes and mussels), bombette (stuffed pork rolls from the butcher grilled on the spot), and pasticciotto (a small oval pastry filled with custard cream, the signature sweet of Salento). For more detail, see our Brindisi neighborhoods guide.
Brindisi Travel Tips & FAQ: Safety and Etiquette
Brindisi is a safe city with low violent crime rates. Petty theft (pickpocketing and bag-snatching) is the main risk, especially in crowded areas like the ferry terminal, the station, and busy markets. Keep wallets in front pockets, do not hang bags on chair backs at outdoor cafes, and be alert around the port area at night. The area around the station can feel sketchy after midnight; take a taxi if you are returning late. Dress code for churches: shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the Cathedral and San Giovanni al Sepolcro; carry a light scarf in summer. Italians dress more formally than beach-tourist attire suggests; shorts and flip-flops are fine for the Lungomare but look out of place in a nice restaurant. The riposo (afternoon closure) from roughly 1pm to 4:30pm is real; do not expect to shop, visit the post office, or handle bureaucratic tasks during these hours. For more detail, see our where to stay in Brindisi.
Brindisi Travel Tips & FAQ: Language and Communication
English is spoken in hotels and tourist-facing restaurants in Brindisi, but it is less common than in Rome or Florence. In smaller trattorias, shops, and when dealing with bus drivers or taxi drivers, knowing a few Italian phrases helps: “Buongiorno” (good morning/day), “Per favore” (please), “Grazie” (thank you), “Il conto, per favore” (the bill, please), “Quanto costa?” (how much does it cost?). The local dialect is Salentino, a variant of Sicilian-influenced southern Italian; you will hear it among older residents. Free WiFi is available in Piazza della Vittoria and around the port area (Brindisi WiFi, register with an email address). Most hotels and B&Bs offer free WiFi, though speeds can be slow in historic stone buildings. Italian mobile data is cheap; a TIM or Vodafone tourist SIM with 20 GB costs about 15 EUR at the airport or city-centre phone shops.
Suggested Hotels in Brindisi
Grande Albergo Internazionale
Brindisi’s iconic seafront hotel in a Liberty-style building on the Lungomare, with a rooftop terrace bar overlooking the Adriatic. Best for travellers who want a grand, historic hotel with sea views and old-world service. Check rates and availability
Palazzo Virgilio
A design 4-star hotel 100 metres from the train station with soundproofed rooms and a generous breakfast buffet. Best for train travellers, early ferry departures, and anyone who prioritises modern comfort. Check rates and availability
Hotel Orientale
A 3-star hotel on Corso Garibaldi at the edge of the historic centre, offering free bicycle rental and a fitness room. Best for couples and solo travellers who want a central, reliable base with good transport links. Check rates and availability For the complete overview, visit our Brindisi travel guide.
