How to Get from Monopoli to Matera?
Although Monopoli is not very far from Matera (the distance between them is about 80 km), public transport options to travel from one to the other are fairly limited. The best route is a combination of train and bus. Alternatively, you can rent a car or book a private transfer.
By Train and Bus
There are no direct trains or buses running between Monopoli and Matera.
The best solution is to take a train to Bari (check out our article on transportation options between Bari and Monopoli), and then catch a bus from Bari to Matera (you can find more details in our guide on how to get from Bari to Matera).
The train ride from Monopoli to Bari takes about 15 to 30 minutes, followed by a roughly 1-hour bus ride from Bari to Matera.
By Rental Car
Renting a car is the easiest way to get from Monopoli to Matera, and it gives you the flexibility to comfortably explore other places in Puglia and Basilicata (the region where Matera is located). You might also find our article on how to rent a car at Bari Airport helpful.
Even though it's longer (around 110 km), driving via Bari on the SS16 and SS96 highways is the best and fastest route, taking about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
There are two other, more direct driving routes with shorter distances, but they rely on local provincial roads, making the total trip longer (about 1.5 hours).
By Private Transfer
Private transfers between Monopoli and Matera are quite expensive, making them a great option primarily for groups of four. Use the promo code TPO5 to get 5% off (valid for bookings between April 15 and December 31, 2026).
