Getting There and Away

Written by Alexander Kopp, Marika Maslanka
03/09/2025
A vibrant urban scene in Bologna, Italy, showcasing historic architecture and a lively crowd.
Mihai Vlasceanu, Pexels

Bologna is well-connected through its international airport, Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ), a major railway hub, Bologna Centrale train station, and a central bus station, Bologna Autostazione.

By Air:

Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) serves both domestic and international flights. From the airport, the Marconi Express monorail offers a quick 7-minute journey to Bologna Centrale train station, with tickets costing €12.80 one-way or €23.30 for a round trip. Alternatively, local buses like the BLQ bus (Aerobus) connect the airport to the city center in 20-30 minutes for a fixed fare of €6. A new "Q" bus connection launched in May 2025 also serves the airport, Maggiore Hospital, and Central Station with an urban fare of €2.30. Taxis are available, with a ride to the city center typically taking 20 minutes and costing €20-€25. Indicative flight costs vary widely; for example, round-trip flights from the UK can start from approximately £173, while those from the US may begin around $489.

By Train:

Bologna Centrale is a significant railway junction in Italy, offering frequent high-speed (Frecciarossa, Italo) and regional train services. Travel times to major Italian cities are concise: Florence is about 37 minutes, Milan approximately 1 hour, and Rome around 2 hours and 20 minutes. A train journey from Venice takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, with tickets typically costing $10-22 (€9-20). From Turin, the trip is about 2 hours 8 minutes, with tickets starting from €17.90.

By Bus:

The Bologna Autostazione, located near the train station, provides an extensive network of national and international bus connections. Buses from Rome can start from €6.97. International routes, such as from Madrid, can take around 26 hours, with fares from approximately €53. Operators like FlixBus also offer routes to Bologna, with some tickets starting as low as €2.48 for shorter distances.

By Car:

Car rental services are available at Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, with companies like Hertz, Avis, and Europcar present. Daily rental costs can start from €10-€32, though prices fluctuate seasonally. Driving into Bologna's city center (Zona a Traffico Limitato - ZTL) requires an entrance ticket during certain hours. Parking facilities, including multi-storey options, are available near the city center.

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