Complete guide to reaching Lecce by plane

The Brindisi airport: small, charming, a perfect Salento gateway.

When I first landed at Brindisi airport, I felt strange. It was like entering someone's living room, not a terminal. This airport feels small, cozy, almost intimate. Security checks take about 30 seconds. Then you have over an hour to explore the single bar and the mysteriously large duty-free shop 😄.

But you know what? That's its charm. Step outside and boom, you're practically in Puglia. It doesn't have that sterile feel of big airports. And trust me, that's not a flaw at all.

Once I landed, I wondered: how do I get to Lecce? There are different options, each with pros and cons.

The train: a bit more involved There's no train station directly at the airport. It's not far, but you need to change. First, take an STP Brindisi shuttle bus. It takes 10 minutes to reach Brindisi train station. From there, catch a regional train to Lecce. The trip takes about 30-40 minutes. Overall, with the change, it takes about an hour and costs 6 to 7 euros. Trains run every 20-30 minutes, so frequency is good. It's cheap and reliable but needs some planning.

The taxi: comfort at a high price Taxis are right outside arrivals. The ride takes about 40 minutes and costs 60 to 80 euros. Some have fixed rates, others use the meter. If you're in a group or have lots of luggage, taxis are convenient. But for one person, it's quite expensive.

My choice: renting a car.

I chose to rent a car directly at the airport. And I must say, it was the best decision.

Brindisi Airport is full of rental offices: Hertz, Avis, Europcar, and many others. Everything is in one easy-to-reach area. In minutes, you have the keys. The drive to Lecce is about 40 km on the SS613. It takes 35-45 minutes by car. Rental costs start at 30-50 euros per day, plus fuel. But the big advantage? Total freedom.

Thanks to the car, I stopped near Brindisi's port before heading to Lecce. During landing, I noticed something striking from the plane: a stunning port! From above, it looked almost unreal. So, instead of heading straight to Lecce, I made a small detour. Five minutes by car, and I was there, seeing up close what I glimpsed from the window. The port is truly beautiful: moored boats, a peaceful promenade 😎. Without the car, I wouldn't have seen it.

With a car, you can reach Lecce without schedule limits. Salento is best explored by car: hidden beaches, charming villages, countryside farmhouses, scenic roads. Everything becomes easier and more enjoyable with your own car.

Of course, consider parking costs in Lecce and the ZTLs there! My advice? Book in advance, especially if traveling in summer. Prices rise, and availability drops, so it's better to plan early.

Why I liked Brindisi Airport

Back to the airport. Yes, it's small. Yes, it has one bar and a duty-free that seems to take up half the space. But that's why it's so pleasant. No confusion, no endless lines, you don't get lost in huge terminals looking for the gate. Everything is within reach: quick checks, a few steps, and you're ready to go.

And then there's that feeling of already being in Puglia as soon as you leave the airport. The air, the light, the atmosphere: everything tells you you've arrived. You don't need to wait to be in Lecce's center or on a beach to feel Salento. It all starts here, in this small airport that feels almost like a private place.

The staff is courteous, all essential services are there, and the small size makes everything more human. It's not the airport you return to for shops or fancy restaurants. It's the airport you return to because it works, it's simple, and it makes you feel at home right away.