Bari Travel Forum

Hi guys, I'm planning on stopping over in Bari on my way from Dubrovnik to Corfu. The only thing is that my ferry from Croatia arrives in early morning, and the next ferry is not until 10pm, which means I have to hang around in Bari during the day. I'm really concerned about how safe Bari will be, or how I might occupy myself during the day (WITH LUGGAGE!) - are my fears unfounded???!?

I think you are right to be a bit concerned. Bari a nice port city but that is exactly what you get at the same time. One the port are is a bit out of the way to lug you bags around. Check with ferry line Moby and some of the other services have storage services at the port. Not sure about Bari.

Not a lot to see in the city coming from Dubrovnik and the Venice influnce you will probaly find Bari poor in comparison.

Hope this helps.

I don't know about luggage storage at the port, though the terminal is pretty modern - you could always ask at one of the offices if they'll store it for you for the day. BUT HEY don't worry about Bari as being unsafe - OK it is a working port city but it is really chill: have a wander round the Old City, a leisurely lunch in the square, an odd beer here and there, enjoy Bari for itself. Check out the pages by the Bari guys for some pointers on where to go, Cheers, John.

Thanks guys,
From what I'd read, Bari seemed really unsafe!!!! Not that worried about luggage, I can manage with a rucksack on my back, but am/was more concerned about safety... seems to really be the most logical way to travel from croatia to greece, but keeping options open

Seem to be:

- very long way to travel
- not the most attractive town in Italy involved
- as I heared the entire ticketing process in Bari a major chaos
- it's very-vey expensive if you go in cabins.

I would really think twice and go Dubrovnik --> Prodgorica by bus (perhaps with a break in Kotor), than Podgorica-->Nish by sleeper (train) and change to Nish --> Thessaloniki. From Bar or Podgorica to reach Thessaloniki you need to change the train only once in Nish.

Yes, it seems really pointless I agree, but I'm really not keen on travelling by bus through Albania...

I am now also thinking that perhaps another option would be to go Split-Ancona, spend a few days seeing Venice etc., and then go to Greece...

Podgorica is NOT Albania. It's capital of Crna Gora. Please look at the map where Podgorica, Bar and Kotor is.

"THROUGH Albania"? Keti/Pupulainen, it's your time, I am giving up on that. Sigh.

OK, last attempt.

Download the .pdf file http://www.libertasdubrovnik.com/voznired.pdf which is from http://www.libertasdubrovnik.com - the web site of Albanian bus station of Albanian city of Dubrovnik.

You will see (in Albanian lanuage): "DEPARTURE FROM DUBROVNIK TO.... ", don't be confused - it's in Albanian, you just mistake it for English. You read perfectly Albanian, so you will understand what is written in this pdf.

You will find Podgorica under "International", which is in Albania. But there are also Albanian cities like Munchen, Frankfurt. Also you will see Kotor/Budva/Ulcinj - also, of course Albanian destinations.

The direct bus going to Podgorica is currently four times a week (in season it will be better), departing Monday (5:45) or 15:00 (Tuesday,Thursday,Friday). The direct bus to Bar going Monday,Wednesday & Saturday at 10:30 or 20:30. Don't be confused - Bar is not mentioned there only Kotor, Budva, Ulcinj but in Albania a bus cannot fly, so if it is going to Budva and than to Ulcinj it just cannot avoid Bar, no matter. You need either Bar or Podgorica.

Choose always the earlier busses, obviously. Your goal is to reach the train to NIs (pronounced: Nish), which is also in Albania, just kind of in the middle of it.

Here is the map of Albanian Railway:

http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/map.php?file=maps/serbia---montenegro/serbia---montenegro.gif

Locate the Bar and follow the blue line up, until you see "Pozega". There the train to Nis goes in the direction of Kraljevo (also in Albania), than Albanian city of Stalac' and finally to Nis ("Nish")

From Nish you can go either to Albania (Sofia) or to Albania (Skopje) to finally reach Albanian city of Thessaloniki.

The schedule is on Albanian side http://www.yurail.co.yu/redvoznje/Direktnirv.aspx and I see a direct Albanian train number 1896 departing Bar 20:30, Podgorica 21:35 and arriving Nish 8:24 in the morning. The Albanian train number 411 from Nis to Albanian city of Thessaloniki is departing 11:20, arriving the same day 21:17. The trains are usually not on time, but you will make it. Buy the Nis-Thessaloniki tickets in Nis.

Alternatively you can take the Nis-Sofia-Thessaloniki route but since it's one more connection, better take the direct train.

(and sorry to tease you - I had difficulty to resist).

First, GyuriFT for taking the time to give detailed bus times - it is appreciated.

I DON'T have extensive knowledge of that area, HENCE the reason I'm posting. I wrongly assumed that because I am travelling to Corfu (which is on the Albanian side and a good distance from Thessaloniki... maps are a great invention, without them us ignorant westerners would be completely clueless), that the route suggested was on that side.

Secondly, may I point out that I'm a young(ish) female, and that I will be travelling with one other female for this part of my inter-rail. Because of this, I obviously have to be a little cautious - I am just as cautious walking around parts of Dublin. In case you didn't know Pupulainen, Ireland is part of your big black hole. As a European I certainly don't have any unfounded notions about any country; I am simply not interested in visiting Albania at this point in time, for no reason other than I am not interested.

No problm, we understand, just it was a bit funny.
The busses and trains I did mention will take you pretty much around Albania. If you became acustomed in Croatia with the local writing and language, you will notice, there is almost no language change as you cross into Crna Gora/Montenegro or later Serbia for your ear. The writing in Croatia is always in "latin" characters, in Crna Gora/Montenegro it's pretty often and in Serbia you will see both "latin" and "cyrill" writings. For two single females there is no more safety hazard to use these busses/trains than in Croatia or Greece.

On the other hand Bari in Italy is known to be not the finest place and the ticket sales are chaotic.

Thanks for all your help, I will definitely be considering it as an option. I have a Serbian friend who would be delighted if I chose to go this route!

FYI: the sleepers from Bar/Podgorica to Nis or Belgrade are very popular in Summer. Let your friend reserve fro you. They are very reasonable (around 10 Euro in T2 or around 16 in T2 compartment) and everyone wants them, they sell out quickly.

Irish Rail is able to reserve them, the price will be somewhat higher and they wil need to send a telex/fax to Serbian Railway. You can buy just the sleeper supplement in Ireland, the ticket alone is much cheaper in Bar or Podgorica.

This is how the sleepers look like. I know, they are somewhat old.... but we used them last year with three kids and there wasn't any problem:

Serbian cars:
http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/sp/car/night/20060325_028.jpg
http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/sp/car/night/JZ-WLBl-int1.jpg
http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/sp/car/night/JZ-WLBl-int2.jpg
http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/sp/car/night/JZ_WLBl_WienW.jpg
http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/sp/car/night/jz_517271806260_su.jpg

Montenegrian cars:

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/me/car/20040411_410_Montenegro_D9611.jpg
http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/me/car/20040410_403_Beograd_ZCG_WL_D9611_Beograd_Bar.jpg
http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/me/car/20040411_404_ZCG_WL_D9611_Beograd_Bar_innen.jpg

>which are simpler and more logical than russian
>(in serbian the basic rule is write as you speak,so
> every sound has a written equivalent,no double letters or so).

Let me jump out of my Russian skin and pull up the Hungarian otherwise it's difficult. The fonetic rule is also true in Russian, but for many foreigners the "unclear" sounds is a challenge like the infamous "unclear wovel" sign in Bulgarian, basically you "swallow" the good portion of wowel because there is no accent on it. It's neither "a", neither "o", neither "i", is somewhat pretty "foggy". The city of Veliko T???rnovo is a good sample for Bulgarian. At least Bulgarians put the special sign there, but in Russian it would stay an "a" there - but the people will still pronounce somewhat like "a" with your mouth full of food. But yes, the same word could be longer in Russian than Serbian, same root but more additional thingies.