Italy - Bari harbour, and Bari to Sicily => Malta

Some questions revolving around Bari.

My partner and I intend to take a ferry from Dubrovnik to Bari arriving late on a Saturday evening. Just wondering if the ferry docks around Bari are less-than-savoury at night or otherwise, and how far it would take to get to the town. We'd like to rent a car but it appears most intown car rental agencies are closed sometime Saturday afternoon until Monday. The airport locations are open but BRI is quite a ways from Bari. Any recs on where to stay around Bari port? We were thinking of the Hilton Garden Inn but it's not close to either Bari or BRI.

From there, we intend to, over the course of < 1 week, travel from Bari to Palermo, Sicily. Other than the region with trullis, and Matera, are there are any places worth seeing in the far south of Italy?

Also, what public transportation is there from Palermo to southern Sicily where the ferries to Malta go? Or would one have to go with a private car? Any recs re: this?

YVR Cockroach, I did a trip to Italy in April, flying into Bari and touring around there. We stayed in a Best Western Executive Hotel near downtown for the night. I never saw the port but we (2 women) felt fairly safe walking around the town. There really is not much to do in Bari. They definitely take siesta much more seriously in the south than most of the big tourist cities. We walked around the historic area, visited some churches and then took the train north to Ascoli Piceno, which was lovely. We then went south to Lecce, which was interesting. We stayed there for almost a week and toured all the towns in the south. Matera was very interesting. Very relaxing trip in the southern beach towns.

I have also been to Sicily and absolutely LOVED it. I would probably choose to go to Sicily rather than stay around Bari unless you just want to do something different. If you have any questions about Sicily I would be glad to help if I can. Not sure where the ferries depart for Malta.

You pretty much went where we are planning to go. I'm trying to determine if we can get to BRI before the rental locations close. Would welcome what your highlights were.

We've given ourselves 4 whole days to spend in southern Italy before getting to Sicily where we have 6 nights in Palermo and then an extra night to get to the ferry to sail to Malta.

Hello YVR Cockroach,
You can find info about visiting Malta at www.visitmalta.com (http://www.visitmalta.com), with info about ferries at http://www.visitmalta.com/ferry_service
I never used the ferries, but as far as I know you can get the local ferries Malta - Sicily at Catania and Pozzallo (East and South of Sicily) and there're also ferries from Palermo and Catania. The latter should be main lines from continental Italy stopping in Sicily before getting Malta.

On top of that, Air Malta operates the Catania - Malta route. Fares are low and the journey takes only a few minutes.
I think there'll be a limited, seasonal service Palermo - Malta during the Summer.

Leaving from Catania can be good since it's close to Taormina, Etna and some other nice place.

I'd consider to rent a car in Brindisi and drop it at the location where you'll leave Sicily.
This way, you can avoid problem with public transport in Sicily, and you may drive to / stop at some selected nice destinations in Calabria (the far south of continental Italy). About that, some of local atractions can be somehow seasonal. May you share some details about the season when wou'll travel?

In Italy, I'd consider also Targarent (http://www.targarent.it) (FIAT group) and Maggiore (http://www.maggiore.it) - partner of National - on top of the foreign companies like Hertz, Avis, Thrifty and Sixt. Usually good cars, good service, good rates, decent networks even in the South.

Thanks for the car rental and ferry tips. We'll be travelling in the latter half of October so ferry (and air) options may be more limited.

Schedule is:
Arrive Bari from Dubrovnik on a Saturday evening
Get to Palermo on the Thursday
Check out Wednesday following
Check in Malta Thursday
Checkout Malta Wednesday

Fly out Munich Wednesday following

We have also changed our schedule (see above). Instead of flying out of Malta on our way home, we now have a week between checking out of Malta hotel and flying out of MUC. We're thinking of crossing back to Sicily and driving up Italy, dropping the car somewhere and taking the train to MUC.

p.s. our hotel stays in Malta and Palermo can't be changed after tomorrow (Hilton redemption rates will be too high!).

There are several ferries from Siracusa and Catania to Malta. Air Malta also flies from Catania if you are heading over here to the east side of the island.
Buses from Palermo to Catania and the east are plentiful and cheap.
It is always smart to check online for any strikes planned on the trains, busses and ferries.

Ciao,
FH

YVR Cockroach, How are you planning on getting from Bari to Palermo? Taking a flight or driving over on the ferry? We based ourselves in Lecce without a car. We hired a guide one day to go to Matera. The other days we took the trains and buses. If you have the option, keep the car for your stay around Bari. It will be much easier for you to get around.

I don't remember BRI having much going on when there were no flights landing or leaving. I do recall that it was not that far a drive from the airport to the main part of town. It was very easy to get a taxi and not too expensive.

While you are staying around Palermo most of your stay in Sicily, I would recommend spending some time in the eastern part of the island. Taormina is beautiful. The Greek Theater is amazing and the main part of town is beautiful. Siracusa is also an amazing place. We also loved hanging out in Giardini Naxos - beach area, very relaxing.

From Palermo, make sure you get to Piazza Armernia to see mosaics. Cefalu is a beautiful beach town near Palermo. It has a beautiful church in the main square and is just a lovely town.

Sounds like a wonderful trip. I will be curious to hear about the Hilton properties near Palermo. I just cleaned out my HHonors account for a week in Paris and New York but I'm sure I'll earn more points to use for my next Italian holiday!

We're firming up our plans. Bari port will just be an arrival point. Unfortunately the ferry from Dubrovnik (2x weekly) arrives on a Saturday evening and all car rentals in town are closed by then until Monday (AFAIK). So we will have to get to BRI to get a car either that evening on Sunday. Not planning to stay in Bari otherwise. Planning to stay in Matera and Crotone vicinity for 2 nts, and then a further 2 nts in eastern/central Sicily before 6 nts in Palermo.

We have found flights from Sicily to Malta (MLA). Palermo-Malta is only biweekly and not good for us. We can and will probably make Catania-MLA work despite midnight departure/arrival.

Ferry in the off-season from Palermo-Malta is only once a week so not an option.

There are several ferries from Siracusa and Catania to Malta.


Can you provide me with the names of the Siracusa - Malta ferry operator? I've only been able to find Virtu and Grimaldi so far which don't operate from Siracusa (Grandi Navi Veloci operates the Palermo-Malta). Catania is not daily offseason and we're nto sure how easy it'll be to get to Pozzallo.

At any rate, we're tempted to fly as the ferry fares are €55 p.p. OW while air fare for 2 is €70!

Thanks

Can you provide me with the names of the Siracusa - Malta ferry operator? I've only been able to find Virtu and Grimaldi so far which don't operate from Siracusa (Grandi Navi Veloci operates the Palermo-Malta). Catania is not daily offseason and we're nto sure how easy it'll be to get to Pozzallo.

At any rate, we're tempted to fly as the ferry fares are €55 p.p. OW while air fare for 2 is €70!

Thanks

I can once I get home to my papers and schedules. Flying at CTA is very easy and there are extensive buses and taxis to CTA (and the new terminal is 150,000% better than the old one). Unless you want to see the Med or have some love of ships, flying CTA to MLA on Air Malta is quick and easy, and cheap if bought in advance. April fares are 51$US oneway on some days, 75$ on others. Not bad. I don't know as much about Palermo's flights.

Ciao,
FH

I had a wonderful taxi driver in Bari in November, extremely knowledgeable about the city, it's architecture and history. I could PM you his name and phone number if you'd like, but I'm not sure whether he speaks English. (If you're seriously interested, PM me and I can call him and ask)

Can you provide me with the names of the Siracusa - Malta ferry operator? I've only been able to find Virtu and Grimaldi so far which don't operate from Siracusa (Grandi Navi Veloci operates the Palermo-Malta). Catania is not daily offseason and we're nto sure how easy it'll be to get to Pozzallo.

At any rate, we're tempted to fly as the ferry fares are €55 p.p. OW while air fare for 2 is €70!

Thanks

I almost forgot about this thread, sorry!

These are the two I've heard of and seen advertised here:
Fron the port at Siracusa
-Euro Malta Express (0931) 463866

From very near by Augusta (Siracusa) (0931) 978300
Malta Besamar Lines is another good one to check out

Some of my family tells me these were moved up to Catania recently??? I will try and stop by a travel agent tomorrow and check.

For other ferries from Sicilia to Malta check www.traghetti-sicilia.it or www.traghettionline.net or http://www.sicilyhotels.com/raggiungerelasicilia-traghetti.htm
As an aside, other than www.gnv.it that you mentioned www.tirrenia.it is another source for the western side of the island.

Ciao,
FH

So we did this trip.

Off-season ferry to Bari is Dubrovnik-Bari only (Rijeka-Split-Dubrovnik) is seasonal now. Used to be year-round.

Ferry is uneventful. If the ship is not full (very empty mid October) the recliner deck chairs are free as the free seats are very uncomfortable. This was on the Dubrovnik and not the Marco Polo that usually operates the route.

There is security and passport control leaving Dubrovnik, so give yourself some time. 45 minutes is plenty. Also Italian immigration and customs at Bari. Turn left to go out of the port terminal and not right (can't get out of the port otherwise!)


End up flying for Sicily-Malta (very late flight however - only one on that day) as the ferry schedules weren't reliable. When we got to Malta, we saw that the vaunted daily Malta-Sicily (Pozzallo) catamaran was being advertised but we never saw it leave its mooring in the Grand Harbour in late October/early November. Supposed to operate every day except Tuesday in December.

So we did this trip.

Off-season ferry to Bari is Dubrovnik-Bari only (Rijeka-Split-Dubrovnik) is seasonal now. Used to be year-round.

Ferry is uneventful. If the ship is not full (very empty mid October) the recliner deck chairs are free as the free seats are very uncomfortable. This was on the Dubrovnik and not the Marco Polo that usually operates the route.

There is security and passport control leaving Dubrovnik, so give yourself some time. 45 minutes is plenty. Also Italian immigration and customs at Bari. Turn left to go out of the port terminal and not right (can't get out of the port otherwise!)


End up flying for Sicily-Malta (very late flight however - only one on that day) as the ferry schedules weren't reliable. When we got to Malta, we saw that the vaunted daily Malta-Sicily (Pozzallo) catamaran was being advertised but we never saw it leave its mooring in the Grand Harbour in late October/early November. Supposed to operate every day except Tuesday in December.

Cool glad you enjoyed. I checked here in Siracusa again, and the Malta ferry was cancelled (as was one to Reggio) so all we have now is Catania, and with the new Autostrada finally open, I think that will die soon also. Pozzallo or Catania is all that is around this area now for Malta.

Ciao,
FH

... flying CTA to MLA on Air Malta is quick and easy, and cheap if bought in advance. April fares are 51$US oneway on some days, 75$ on others. Not bad.excellent, good to know, thanks.

excellent, good to know, thanks.

granted that post was two years old, but Air Malta still flies the route and you can find round-trips from Catania for under 100 euros. Flight is only 30-40 minutes max.