cars, planes and trains!
 

Trying to finalize travel plans and really needing some suggestions from those in the know:
we will be in Matera on Oct. 1 but leaving early Oct. 2 morning to get back to Rome. Flight from Rome is next morning. Options include driving from Matera to Rome. (Think it may be quite a long haul and not sure if it's scenic? Five hours or so drive?) Or...could drive to Bari and drop off car there and fly home in local airline. Not sure but think that flight is just an hour and abit.(Rynair) OR Drive from Matera to Bari perhaps an hour and a half? Train to Rome? Maybe there is a train from Matera to Rome? I am hoping to gather some information so I can book this tomorrow. I would be so grateful for all your help!

I would just drive to Bari, return the car and fly to Rome, it's quite a short flight.

Or you could drive to Brindisi and drop the car and fly to Rome from there.

We have driven from Bari to Rome and found it a nice easy drive. Allow for food and bathroom stops, and remember to eat before the afternoon closures. :P If you drop your car at Termini, find out in advance where the drop off garage is located, and map it into your GPS.

However, maybe by then you will be tired of driving and just want to sit back and relax.

In that case you could drop your car at Bari airport and take a flight, then a train from the airport in to Rome. If you have already spent time in Rome, you could take a later flight, stay in Matera a little longer, then stay overnight at Rome airport, ready for your flight the next day.

If you want to see the countryside, drop your rental near the Bari train station, take the Frecciargento, no stops, 4 hours into Rome Centrale. It's a comfortable high speed train with food available.

Just keep in mind that the high speed train leaves Bari at 7 am or 1:15 pm, arriving nearly 5:30 pm in Rome.

Have you seen the answers on your other thread?
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...e-380986-2.cfm