Is Puglia expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Puglia is moderately priced and cheaper than Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast or northern Italy: a budget day is about €95 per person and a mid-range day about €190. Food and trains are good value; masseria hotels, rental cars and beach clubs in August are where costs climb.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €45 | €85 | €220 |
| Food & drink | €30 | €50 | €100 |
| Sights & tickets | €10 | €25 | €50 |
| Local transport | €10 | €30 | €60 |
| Per person, per day | €95 | €190 | €430 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Puglia day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Panzerotto or slice of focaccia barese | about €2–3 |
| Handmade orecchiette in Bari Vecchia, 500 g | about €5–7 |
| Train Bari–Polignano a Mare | about €3 |
| Fast train Bari–Lecce | about €12–20 |
| Trattoria meal, per person | about €25–40 |
| Rental car per day, summer | about €40–70 |
| Lecce churches combined ticket | about €10–15 |
| Masseria hotel, double | about €250–700 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the main cost: B&Bs in Bari and Lecce run about €70–120 a double, trulli and old-town rooms €110–220, and masserie €250–700. Food is a highlight and good value, from street snacks at €2–3 to trattoria dinners at €25–40. A rental car with fuel and parking is the other big cost if you explore the Itria Valley and the Salento; sights are mostly cheap or free.
When it is cheaper
May, early June, late September and October are usually cheaper than July–August, often by roughly 20–40% for rooms. Mid-August around Ferragosto is the peak, when prices are highest and beaches fullest.
How to spend less
- Use Trenitalia trains for the coast towns: Bari, Polignano, Monopoli, Ostuni and Lecce.
- Eat street food for lunch: panzerotti, focaccia barese and rustico cost a few euros.
- Base yourself in two or three places to avoid long daily drives.
- Park outside historic centres to avoid ZTL fines.
- Swim at free public beaches and coves rather than paying for lidos.
- Choose a B&B in Lecce or Bari over a masseria if the budget is tight.
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Common questions
Is Puglia expensive?
Moderately, and cheaper than Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast: about €95 a day on a budget and about €190 mid-range.
How much does a meal cost in Puglia?
Street food costs a few euros; a trattoria meal is about €25–40 per person.
How much is a rental car in Puglia?
About €40–70 a day in summer, plus fuel and parking.