Fixed-price runs to Polignano or Monopoli? That’s Apulia Taxi’s lane.
Apulia Taxi is one of the two radio-dispatch services officially listed for Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport, alongside Radio Taxi, and shows up in Polish guide Latamy as “RADIO TAXI SATELLITARE Apulia Taxi, tel. 080 534 6666.” This isn’t just a quick hop into Bari Vecchia; it’s the outfit people call when they need a phone-booked transfer to coastal towns like Polignano a Mare or Monopoli, especially when late-night trains don’t match their arrival time in T1.
You’re picked up outside T1’s arrivals level, just beyond the main taxi rank, with most dispatch calls handled in Italian but basic English understood over the phone at +39 080 534 6666. Figure roughly 25–30 minutes to central Bari by car, around 45–60 minutes to Polignano a Mare, and a bit over an hour to Monopoli or Alberobello depending on traffic on SS16. Unlike random cabs at the rank, Apulia Taxi is used to dealing with resort addresses and agriturismi that sit a few kilometres off the main roads.
The key play here is fixed fares on longer runs: Reddit users report getting all-in prices quoted in advance for coastal trips if they ask directly on the phone, for example agreeing a set euro amount to Polignano a Mare so the meter isn’t creeping up for 50+ km. Always repeat the quoted price and passenger count back to the dispatcher and ask if luggage is included, then make a quick note of the agreed figure in your phone in case of any confusion on drop-off.
Pricing isn’t low: one solo traveller on Reddit called their coast transfer “not cheap,” but still chose it over a late train-bus combo that would have added 2 extra hours. Splitting a run four ways flattens the sting; a €90 quoted fare to a Puglia resort breaks down to €22.50 per person, which often undercuts private hotel transfers. For central Bari, though, a regular metered taxi or AMTAB bus line 16 at around €1–€2 will usually be cheaper.
Regulars who visit Puglia yearly say they pre-book Apulia Taxi by email or phone at least 24–48 hours ahead in July and August, especially for Saturday arrivals when resort turnarounds spike. They mention that trying to negotiate a 60 km ride from the airport rank can be hit-or-miss, with some rank drivers keen and others only interested in quick 20-minute city trips.
How to use Apulia Taxi from Bari Airport, step by step
- 1. Before you fly: At least 24–48 hours before landing at BRI, call Apulia Taxi on +39 080 534 6666 and ask for a fixed-price transfer from “Aeroporto Bari Karol Wojtyła, Terminal 1” to your exact hotel or address, for example “Polignano a Mare, near Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II.”
- 2. Confirm the deal: Repeat the quoted euro price, passenger count (e.g., 2 adults, 2 kids), and luggage details back to the dispatcher, then note the name or call sign they give you and your scheduled flight number, such as FR1234 from London Stansted.
- 3. On landing at T1: After baggage claim, walk straight out of the arrivals exit on the ground floor and head to the signed taxi area about 50–70 metres from the doors; look for a car with Apulia Taxi branding or a driver holding a paper with your name.
- 4. Double-check before departure: Confirm the agreed fixed fare again before the driver pulls away, saying something like “€80 total to Polignano, card or cash?” and check if they accept cards or prefer cash euros.
- 5. Paying and receipt: Pay on arrival at your destination; ask for a printed or handwritten receipt with the date and the car number, which helps if you later need to query a charge or claim the cost through work.
One last tip: If your flight is delayed by more than 30–45 minutes, call Apulia Taxi from the gate with your new ETA so they don’t release your booking and you’re not stuck at BRI hunting for a last-minute ride down the Puglia coast.