Lecce is one of those cities where getting around is refreshingly easy. The historic centre is compact and best explored on foot, with its Baroque churches, lively piazzas and little streets all within a comfortable walking distance. Still, public transportation can be useful, especially if you are staying outside the centre or want to explore beyond the city.
Getting around Lecce by bus
Lecce’s urban public transport is operated by SGM, with bus and trolleybus services connecting the city centre, the railway station, residential areas and the outskirts. For visitors, buses are particularly useful when your accommodation is not within walking distance of the historic centre or when you want to avoid a longer walk in the summer heat. Different ticket options are available, including single journeys and time-based or daily tickets.
For most travellers, however, the easiest combination is simple: walk through the historic centre and use the bus only when you need it.
Travelling by train from Lecce
Trains are less important for moving around Lecce itself, but they are extremely useful for exploring other towns and cities in Puglia.
Lecce railway station is conveniently located close to the historic centre and offers good connections north towards destinations such as Brindisi, Ostuni, Monopoli and Bari with Trenitalia. This makes the train a great option for day trips: you can leave Lecce in the morning, explore another city and return without worrying about driving or parking.
So, if the places on your itinerary are well connected by rail, you really do not need a car.
Should you rent a car in Lecce?
That changes if you want to discover the Salento coastline and its beaches.
During summer there are seasonal bus connections between Lecce and some of the most popular coastal destinations, including places such as Otranto, so travelling without a car is certainly possible. However, if your dream is to spend the day beach-hopping, stop at smaller seaside villages or move freely between the Adriatic and Ionian coasts, renting a car is by far the most practical option.
A car gives you the freedom to leave whenever you want, discover quieter stretches of coast and change your plans along the way — something that is much harder when you depend on bus timetables.
In short: for Lecce itself, walking and public transport are more than enough. For train-connected cities, leave the car behind. But for exploring the beaches and coastline of Salento, having your own car can completely transform the trip.
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