Getting around

By air

Bologna Marconi is a real international airport with direct European routes and some long-haul, so many people fly in without connecting. For intercontinental trips you may still connect through a larger European hub, but Bologna is far better served than most Italian cities its size.

From the airport into town — the Marconi Express

An automated monorail links Marconi Airport to Bologna Centrale station in about 7 minutes. No taxi needed; you're in the centre almost as fast as you can collect a bag.

By train

Bologna Centrale is one of Italy's busiest rail junctions, the crossroads where the Milan–Rome high-speed line meets the routes east to the Adriatic and west toward Emilia. Almost the whole country is a direct ride (times below).

On foot, under the porticoes

The historic centre is flat, compact, and famously walkable. Nearly 40 kilometres of porticoes mean you can cross the old town in the rain without getting wet. Most central daily life happens on foot.

Buses (TPER)

Bologna’s local network is run by TPER and covers the city thoroughly. A single ride is €2.30, valid 75 minutes (TPER, 2026).

Intercity buses (FlixBus and Itabus)

A budget option for reaching other cities. On Bologna’s high-speed rail corridor the train is usually faster and more central, so most people take it, but the coach is a fair choice on a tight budget or for routes the train serves awkwardly. Check routes and fares on FlixBus ›

A note on driving and the tram

Central Bologna has a ZTL (limited-traffic zone), so a car is a liability in the core more than a help. A new tram network is under construction to add to the buses, worth knowing if you're planning years ahead, though the buses and your feet cover things today.