Getting around · Bologna · Italy
Getting around Bologna
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Bologna's historic centre is compact and almost entirely walkable under its porticoes: Piazza Maggiore to the main station is about 20 minutes on foot. TPER buses cover the rest of the city, much of the centre is a limited-traffic zone, and Bologna Centrale is one of Italy's main rail junctions. No.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Walking
- Airports
- BLQ
- Need a car?
- No
- Travel pass
- Bologna Welcome Card
Ways to get around
Walking
Porticoes line most streets, so walking is pleasant in rain or sun; few central sights are more than 15 minutes apart.
Bus
TPER buses run across the city and out to the hills and suburbs such as Borgo Panigale; buy tickets before boarding or tap a contactless bank card on board.
Validate paper tickets as soon as you board; inspectors fine passengers without a validated ticket.
Train
Bologna Centrale has high-speed trains to Florence in about 35–40 minutes, Milan in about 1 hour, Venice in about 1.5 hours and Rome in a little over 2 hours, plus regional trains to Modena, Parma, Ferrara and Ravenna.
Regional trains have fixed fares and cost far less than high-speed services, which get pricier closer to departure.
Cycling
The centre is flat, and bike-share schemes and cycle lanes make cycling easy; watch for pedestrians and stick to marked lanes.
Taxi
Licensed taxis wait at ranks at the station and the airport; inside the centre, walking is usually quicker.
Tickets and passes
Bologna Welcome Card
The official tourist card sold by the Bologna Welcome office bundles museum entries and discounts; check which sights are included before buying.
From the airport
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) is about 6 km northwest of the centre. The Marconi Express monorail links it to Bologna Centrale in under 10 minutes, and a taxi takes about 15–20 minutes depending on traffic.
Do you need a car?
No. The centre is a limited-traffic zone (ZTL) with camera-enforced fines, and trains reach every major day trip. Hire a car only for the Apennine hills, wineries or the Motor Valley museums.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Florence | About 35–40 minutes by high-speed train | Frecciarossa or Italo from Bologna Centrale |
| Modena | About 20–30 minutes by train | Regional or high-speed train |
| Parma | About 50–60 minutes by train | Regional or high-speed train |
| Ravenna | About 1–1.5 hours by regional train | Regional train from Bologna Centrale |
| Ferrara | About 30–50 minutes by train | Regional or high-speed train |
| Venice | About 1.5 hours by high-speed train | Frecciarossa or Italo to Venezia Santa Lucia |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Bologna?
No. The centre is a limited-traffic zone (ZTL) with camera-enforced fines, and trains reach every major day trip. Hire a car only for the Apennine hills, wineries or the Motor Valley museums.
+How do you get from the airport to Bologna?
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) is about 6 km northwest of the centre. The Marconi Express monorail links it to Bologna Centrale in under 10 minutes, and a taxi takes about 15–20 minutes depending on traffic.
+What is the best way to get around Bologna?
Walking: Porticoes line most streets, so walking is pleasant in rain or sun; few central sights are more than 15 minutes apart.