--- title: "Bologna train stations | EveryRail" description: "Bologna Centrale serves most long-distance trips; high-speed services usually use underground AV platforms 16 to 19, while regional trains use surface tracks." image: "https://znmmduxdxnnnebgevjdu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-media/entity-featured/city-bologna.webp" --- [Home]()[Italy]()Bologna [Home]()[Italy]()Bologna **Share** - - [Share on WhatsApp]() - [Share on X]() - [Share on Facebook]() - [Share by email]() **On this page** - [About train stations in Bologna]() - [Where to book]() - [Train stations in Bologna]() - [Train routes to and from Bologna]() - [Find places to stay in Bologna]() - [Frequently asked questions]() [Book now]() Last reviewed September 2026 # Train stations in Bologna Bologna Centrale serves most long-distance trips; high-speed services usually use underground AV platforms 16 to 19, while regional trains use surface tracks. ![Cityscape of Bologna, Italy]() Stations 1 Primary station [Bologna Centrale]() Passenger operators 4 Routes covered 8 Book Bologna Centrale for almost every long-distance trip, then check whether your train uses the surface station or underground AV platforms. One station name covers the surface platforms, separate Est and Ovest groups, and a four-track high-speed station 23 metres underground. That layout is the main planning issue. [Trenitalia]() and Italo both run high-speed trains through Bologna, but their tickets and rail-pass rules differ. Regional paper tickets have a separate validation rule, while the Marconi Express reaches Bologna Airport in about 7 minutes 30 seconds. Check the live board, operator and ticket type before committing to a tight connection. ## Bologna Centrale is the default station for visitors Choose Bologna Centrale unless your ticket or accommodation gives you a specific reason to use another Bologna station. Centrale has 21 passenger platforms and is the city's main interchange for long-distance, regional and metropolitan trains. Borgo Panigale, Mazzini, San Ruffillo and other urban stops belong to Bologna's metropolitan railway network. They can be useful for a nearby address, but they are not substitutes when a long-distance booking names Bologna Centrale. Confirm the full station name before paying. A city-only search can hide the difference. ## The complete platform label matters Read `2`, `2 Est` and `2 Ovest` as three different platforms. The surface station has platforms 1 to 11, with Est platforms 1 to 4 and Ovest platforms 1 to 7. Departure boards use labels such as `2-EST` and `4-OVEST`, so the suffix is part of the platform name, not a rough direction. Follow the full label on the station screens instead of walking to the first platform with the right number. Assignments can change. Keep watching the screens and listening to station announcements until you board. ## The AV station needs extra transfer time Treat a move between the surface station and Bologna Centrale AV as a change of level, not a quick platform swap. The AV station has three levels and four high-speed tracks 23 metres below the surface. Its platforms are numbered 16 to 19. Budget 10 to 15 minutes to reach the AV platforms from the main hall, and longer with luggage or reduced mobility. The official estimate for the route itself is about 5 to 7 minutes, but the extra margin gives you time to follow the signs and reach your train before departure. Start towards the AV level as soon as the platform appears. If you are joining separately booked trains, leave a margin you can absorb if the first train is late. Lifts and escalators connect the levels, but a temporary lift outage can affect the step-free route. Check accessibility status before travel if you rely on a lift. Do not choose a level from the train brand alone. High-speed services usually use the AV level, while regional and metropolitan trains use the surface tracks. The departure board for your exact train is decisive. ## Direct trains from Bologna to major cities Direct high-speed trains connect Bologna with Milan, Turin and Venice to the north, and Florence, Rome and Naples to the south. Trenitalia runs Frecciarossa services through Bologna on the [Rome to Bologna]() and Rome to Venice routes. Italo also serves all six corridors, so compare the departure time and ticket conditions as well as the fare. Fast Bologna to Rome trains can take roughly 1 hour 57 minutes to 2 hours 3 minutes, depending on the operator and departure. Treat that range as orientation, not a promise for every train. Engineering work and the chosen Rome station can alter the result, so check the exact service before building a same-day connection. Direct ÖBB Nightjet services connect Bologna with Vienna and Munich. Sleeper accommodation is train-specific and reservation-based. Check that the Nightjet runs on your travel date before planning around an overnight arrival. ## Trenitalia and Italo have different pass rules Compare both operators when price or departure time matters, but buy for the train you will actually use. Trenitalia Frecce and Intercity tickets are tied to a booked train and include an assigned seat. Italo also sells train-specific tickets with an assigned seat. Interrail and Eurail Passes cover Trenitalia Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca, Intercity and Regional services, but they do not cover Italo. Pass holders need a compulsory reservation on Frecciarossa and Frecciargento. The pass-holder reservation costs €13 in either class. Domestic Intercity reservations are also compulsory and cost €3. Do not mistake a pass for an Italo ticket or a Trenitalia seat reservation. Buy an Italo ticket for an Italo departure. For a Trenitalia high-speed train, add the required pass-holder reservation before boarding and check the exact fee in the pass planner. ## Regional paper and digital tickets validate differently Validate a single Trenitalia regional paper ticket before departure using a station validator. The journey must normally finish within four hours of validation, although regional fare exceptions can apply. The Digital Regional Ticket works differently. It validates automatically at the scheduled departure time of the train selected in the booking. The less common Electronic Regional Ticket does not require validation. Check the product name on your ticket rather than following old advice that tells every online-ticket holder to perform a manual check-in. Long-distance Trenitalia tickets follow another rule. Frecce and Intercity seats are reserved for a specific train, and those tickets are not stamped before departure. Identify the operator and ticket product first, then follow the rule printed in the booking. ## The Marconi Express is the direct airport link Use the Marconi Express between Bologna Centrale and Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport when its hours fit your flight. The journey takes about 7 minutes 30 seconds. Trains run from 05:40 to midnight, about every 7 minutes at busy times and every 15 minutes when demand is lower. The standard fare is €12.80 one way or €23.30 return. Fares can change, so confirm both amounts when you book. Contactless payment is available at the gates. Use the same card or device when entering and leaving. From the railway platforms, follow the Marconi Express signs through the station instead of exiting to the street. Between midnight and 05:40, TPER line Q links the airport and Centrale. It is the overnight fallback, not a reason to assume the monorail runs all night. Check the live service banner and your flight time before leaving, and keep a safety margin if a replacement bus is operating. ## The south side leads towards the historic centre Use the Piazza delle Medaglie d'Oro side for the historic centre. Piazza Maggiore is about 1.5 km from the station, so allow 15 to 20 minutes to walk there along Via dell'Indipendenza. The Via de' Carracci entrance is on the north side and is more useful for Bolognina, the Marconi Express and some AV access routes. TPER buses serve stops around the station, and you can pay with a contactless bank card on Bologna urban buses. Check your accommodation address before choosing an exit. Crossing the entire station after leaving on the wrong side is avoidable, especially with luggage. ## Where to book ### Train tickets - Omio Omio connects you with over 1,000 transport providers - trains, buses, flights, and more - to simplify your travel planning. [Check times & prices]() - Rail Europe Rail Europe is a leading travel tech company specializing in European train bookings for over 15,000 travel professionals worldwide. - Trainline Trainline sells rail and coach tickets worldwide on behalf of major UK and European transport companies. ### Passenger train operators - [Deutsche Bahn]() Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany's national railway, running ICE, IC and regional trains with Flexpreis, Sparpreis and Super Sparpreis fares. [Official website]() [Check times & prices]() - [NTV]() Italo is Italy's private high-speed operator, linking Milan, Rome and Florence with trains reaching 300 km/h; book early for lower fares. [Official website]() [Check times & prices]() - [ÖBB]() ÖBB is Austria's national railway, with Railjet high-speed and Nightjet sleeper services plus regional trains across Austria and neighbouring countries. [Official website]() [Check times & prices]() - [Trenitalia]() Trenitalia runs Italy's Frecce high-speed, Intercity and regional trains; Super Economy fares are cheapest but allow no changes or refunds. [Official website]() [Check times & prices]() ## Train stations in Bologna [![Map showing the location of Bologna Centrale]()© OpenStreetMap contributors![ÖBB]()![NTV]()![Deutsche Bahn]()Main stationBologna Centrale1.3 km from the city centreBologna Centrale is the main railway station in Bologna, served by Deutsche Bahn, NTV, ÖBB, and Trenitalia.]() ## Train routes to and from Bologna [![Panoramic aerial view of Bologna's old town and surrounding hills]()Berlin to Bologna by trainThere are no direct Berlin to Bologna trains; journeys take about 11 to 15 hours via Munich, with fares from EUR27.]()[![View of Rome, Italy]()Bologna to Rome by trainBologna to Rome by train takes about 2 hours on Trenitalia or Italo, usually using Bologna Centrale and Roma Termini, with fares from €19.90.]()[![Arcaded street in Turin at dusk leading to a church dome]()Bologna to Turin by trainBologna to Turin takes about 2 hours on direct high-speed trains. Trenitalia and Italo run frequent services, with most arriving at Torino Porta Nuova.]()[![Panoramic aerial view of Bologna's old town and surrounding hills]()Copenhagen to Bologna by trainCopenhagen to Bologna has no direct train. Routes via Hamburg and Munich take around 21 to 23 hours, with a Nightjet option via Innsbruck.]()[![Panoramic aerial view of Bologna's old town and surrounding hills]()London to Bologna by trainLondon to Bologna takes 11 to 13 hours by train, with no direct service and at least two changes via Paris and northern Italy.]()[![Panoramic aerial view of Bologna's old town and surrounding hills]()Naples to Bologna by trainFastest direct trains from Naples to Bologna take around 3 hours 11 minutes. Interrail and Eurail passes are valid on Trenitalia, not Italo.]()[![Panoramic aerial view of Bologna's old town and surrounding hills]()Paris to Bologna by trainParis to Bologna takes 8 to 9 hours with one change in Turin or Milan. Fares start from €50, with TGV INOUI and Frecciarossa options.]()[![Panoramic aerial view of Bologna's old town and surrounding hills]()Rome to Bologna by trainDirect high-speed trains from Rome to Bologna take about two hours, with Italo and Trenitalia serving Roma Termini, Roma Tiburtina and Bologna Centrale.]() ## Find places to stay in Bologna [![Bright bedroom with white bedding and a breakfast tray on the bed]()**Browse stays in Bologna**Hotels and apartments via Booking.com]() ## Frequently asked questions ### Does Bologna Centrale have luggage storage? Yes. Bologna Centrale has an official luggage-storage service in the western area of the station. Check the opening hours and current charge before leaving your bags, especially if you plan to collect them close to your train's departure. ### How far ahead should I request passenger assistance at Bologna Centrale? Request Sala Blu assistance at least one hour before departure or arrival for services between 07:45 and 22:30. For services between 22:31 and 07:44, make the request at least 12 hours in advance. ### Do young children need a Marconi Express ticket? Children aged 4 or younger travel free on the Marconi Express when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. Check the current child fare for older children before travelling. ### Does a Marconi Express ticket include Bologna buses? Standard Marconi Express tickets include 75 minutes of travel on TPER urban lines. The Flex solo Bus 949 ticket is excluded. The window starts when you validate at the turnstile, or on the date shown if you use a TPER bus first. ### Can I use Bologna's FrecciaLounge with only a regional ticket? No. A regional ticket alone does not qualify for the FrecciaLounge. Access is included for eligible CartaFreccia Gold and Platinum travellers and certain premium Freccia ticket holders. Other eligible CartaFreccia members with a Freccia ticket can buy day access for €25. Check the current conditions before you travel. ## All train routes to and from Bologna - [Berlin to Bologna by train]() - [Bologna to Rome by train]() - [Bologna to Turin by train]() - [Copenhagen to Bologna by train]() - [London to Bologna by train]() - [Naples to Bologna by train]() - [Paris to Bologna by train]() - [Rome to Bologna by train]() ## Other destinations in Italy - [Train stations in Catania]() - [Train stations in Como]() - [Train stations in Florence]() - [Train stations in Milan]() - [Train stations in Naples]() - [Train stations in Palermo]() - [Train stations in Pisa]() - [Train stations in Pompeii]() - [Train stations in Rome]() - [Train stations in Salerno]() - [Train stations in Sorrento]() - [Train stations in Turin]() - [Train stations in Venice]() - [Train stations in Vicenza]() ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#organization", "name": "EveryRail", "url": "https://everyrail.com/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://everyrail.com/_astro/everyrail-logomark-2026.VJ4vNX1T.webp", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#organization-logo-1" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.instagram.com/everyrailtravel/", "https://www.facebook.com/everyrail", "https://www.threads.com/@everyrailtravel" ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#website", "name": "EveryRail", "url": "https://everyrail.com/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#organization" }, "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#webpage", "name": "Train stations in Bologna", "description": "Stations: 1. Primary station: Bologna Centrale. Passenger operators: 4. Routes covered: 8.", "about": { "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#city" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#website" }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#organization" }, "url": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/", "dateModified": "2026-09-05T09:39:24.378Z", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "City", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#city", "name": "Bologna", "containedInPlace": { "@type": "Country", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#city-country", "name": "Italy" } }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Bologna Centrale have luggage storage?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Bologna Centrale has an official luggage-storage service in the western area of the station. Check the opening hours and current charge before leaving your bags, especially if you plan to collect them close to your train's departure.", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#faqpage-mainEntity-1-acceptedAnswer-1", "inLanguage": "en" }, "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#faqpage-mainEntity-1", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How far ahead should I request passenger assistance at Bologna Centrale?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Request Sala Blu assistance at least one hour before departure or arrival for services between 07:45 and 22:30. For services between 22:31 and 07:44, make the request at least 12 hours in advance.", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#faqpage-mainEntity-2-acceptedAnswer-2", "inLanguage": "en" }, "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#faqpage-mainEntity-2", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do young children need a Marconi Express ticket?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Children aged 4 or younger travel free on the Marconi Express when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. Check the current child fare for older children before travelling.", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#faqpage-mainEntity-3-acceptedAnswer-3", "inLanguage": "en" }, "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#faqpage-mainEntity-3", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does a Marconi Express ticket include Bologna buses?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Standard Marconi Express tickets include 75 minutes of travel on TPER urban lines. The Flex solo Bus 949 ticket is excluded. The window starts when you validate at the turnstile, or on the date shown if you use a TPER bus first.", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#faqpage-mainEntity-4-acceptedAnswer-4", "inLanguage": "en" }, "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#faqpage-mainEntity-4", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I use Bologna's FrecciaLounge with only a regional ticket?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. A regional ticket alone does not qualify for the FrecciaLounge. Access is included for eligible CartaFreccia Gold and Platinum travellers and certain premium Freccia ticket holders. Other eligible CartaFreccia members with a Freccia ticket can buy day access for €25. Check the current conditions before you travel.", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#faqpage-mainEntity-5-acceptedAnswer-5", "inLanguage": "en" }, "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#faqpage-mainEntity-5", "inLanguage": "en" } ], "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#faqpage", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://everyrail.com/", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#breadcrumb-itemListElement-1" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Italy", "item": "https://everyrail.com/italy/", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#breadcrumb-itemListElement-2" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bologna", "item": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/italy/bologna/#breadcrumb-itemListElement-3" } ], "inLanguage": "en" } ] } ```