Getting Around, Bologna Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy)

Bologna is a relatively easy city to get around. The centre is fairly compact and most of the sights are within easy walking distance of one another, but the city also has a good public transport system.

Much of Bologna is pedestrianised and there is an excellent bus network and local railway here.

Alternatively, if you prefer to be driven around, there are plenty of taxis, although these can prove an expensive way to travel in the city of Bologna.

Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) / Arriving by Air

The city is served by the Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) and also Forlì Airport (Società Esercizio Aeroporti). ATC Aerobus connects the city with the airports and leaves from in front of the train station roughly every 15 or 20 minutes until midnight.


Bologna Airports Guide

Car Rental

When travelling by car, Bologna can be easily reached by the A1 Autostrada del Sol, which skirts around the city (the tangenziale) to the north and also connects Florence, Milan and Rome. At Bologna, the A1 from Milan leaves the Via Emilia and turns south towards Florence. The A14 continues on towards Ravenna and Rimini and the A13 runs north to Ferrara and Padua. Many car rental agencies are available and there is a particularly good selection of these at Guglielmo Marconi Airport.

Book your Bologna Car Rental here.

Taxis

Taxis in Bologna are one of the most popular means of transport in the city, especially for business purposes, although they can prove an expensive way to travel. They can normally be found lined up at stands or on main squares and can also be called by phone. There may be some supplements, such as luggage or late night charges, that do not appear on the meter and so it may be useful to ask about these before leaving. Try to negotiate the taxi fare in advance if possible, to avoid overcharging. You should only use the official licensed taxis in Bologna, which are clearly identified by the taxi sign on the roof and a numbered shield on the side.

Buses

The bus station in Bologna is situated at the ATC (Azienda Trasporti Comunali) at Piazza XX Settembre and has services that run every hour for Ferrara, Imola, Modena and Ravanna. There are also less frequent services to many other destination in the region and some international buses to Amsterdam, Paris, London, Brussels, Prague and Warsaw. You can purchase bus tickets at many booths and tobacconists in Bologna. A 'citypass' booklet of eight tickets is available providing good value when travelling by bus.

Trains

Tel: +39 (0)1478 88088
Bologna is one of the main connections on the FS rail network and has fast trains travelling to Florence, Milan, Ravenna, Rimini, Venice and most other regions in Italy from the Stazione Centrale in the Piazza Medaglie d'Oro. Bologna train station is situated on the north side of the city centre and is only a 10 minutes walk from the Piazza Maggiore. There are also buses that travel to the train station.