The Bologna train station is called Bologna Centrale, thanks to its central location in the city. Bologna Centrale is one of the biggest and busiest train stations in Italy. It has twenty-seven platforms spread across two different levels and two annexes. Every day, nearly 800 passenger trains stop at Bologna Centrale, which is the equivalent of one train departing every two minutes.
Because of its size and passenger volume, Bologna Centrale can feel overwhelming to a first-time visitor. In particular, if you are changing trains from a high-speed train to an intercity or regional train (or vice versa) the process of moving between the different levels can be confusing.
This guide will cover everything you need to know to get in and out of the Bologna train station with ease. I’ll show you what to expect when you arrive or depart from Bologna by train, how to get to the city center and airport, what to expect when you are changing trains and what types of restaurants, shops and services you can find at the station.
Where is the train station in Bologna?
The Bologna train station is located on the north side of the historic city center, at the north end of Via dell’Indipendenza. There is a piazza in front of the station on the city center side called Piazza delle Medaglie d’Oro, and from there it’s a flat walk into the city center.
How to get from the Bologna train station to the city center?
There are three ways to reach the historic center of Bologna from Bologna Centrale:
| Walking | You can walk from Bologna Centrale to Piazza Maggiore in about 25 minutes by heading straight down Via dell’ Indipendenza. |
| Bus | Bus T2 leaves Bologna Centrale about every 15 minutes, and takes 20 minutes to reach Piazza Maggiore. You can buy a bus ticket at the booth in Piazza Medaglie d’Oro. |
| Taxi | Expect to pay about €10 to take a taxi from Bologna Centrale to Piazza Maggiore. Some roads are closed to vehicles on weekends, which may increase the price. |
Personally, I walked from the train station to my hotel in Bologna. I stayed at Hotel Centrale, which was midway between the train station and Piazza Maggiore, and the walk took fifteen minutes (with my big rolling suitcase).
The Layout of Bologna Centrale Platforms
Bologna’s train station has a unique layout, with most of its platforms being at ground level but several lines running three floors underground.
On the ground floor you’ll find Platforms 1-11, which are the normal train platforms. These are used by most intercity and regional trains, as well as some international routes. These platforms are connected with underground walkways (shown above).
Also on the ground floor there are Platforms 1-4 East (Est). These platforms are the end of the line for slower, regional trains that run between Bologna and destinations to the south.
Finally, the ground floor also has Platforms 1-7 West (Ovest). These are also the end of the line, but for the regional trains between Bologna and destinations to the north. Many of the station’s shops and services are located in this area.
There are also four platforms underground (see the photo below), on a level of the station referred to as Bologna Centrale (AV). This is where most of the high-speed Frecciarossa trains arrive and depart. These tracks are Platforms 16-19, with 16 and 17 usually serving trains heading north, and 18 and 19 usually serving trains heading south.
As with any train station in Italy, the predicted track and the assigned track for any train can change at any time. So while the arrival and departure information here is generally correct, it’s always important to confirm the actual track of your specific train on the boards at the station. Alternately, you can use the Trenitalia ViaggiaTreno website to check departure times and locations for Trenitalia trains.
Changing Trains at Bologna Centrale Train Station
The layout of the Bologna train station, with tracks of two levels and the additional east and west wings, means that changing trains can be tricky. When you’re booking your Italian rail journey, don’t book any trips with a connection of less than twenty minutes at Bologna Centrale.
If you are connecting from an intercity or regional train (ground level) to a high-speed train (underground) follow the signs for platforms 16-19. From the walkway under the main tracks, you’ll go underground one more level (shown above) to the “Kiss & Ride” area where vehicles can drop off their passengers, then you’ll go down one further level to the high speed train platforms.
If you’re connecting the other way (from a high-speed train to a regional train) then you’ll go in the opposite direction – up two floors to reach the access to the platforms at ground level.
Again, make sure to confirm the train time and platform on the signs in the station, as occasionally there are last-minute changes. You can refer to the boards in the station or you can use the Trenitalia ViaggiaTreno website.
Marconi Express – Bologna Airport Train
The Marconi Express is a dedicated airport monorail train that connects Bologna Centrale train station to the Guglielmo Marconi International Airport (BLQ). The monorail runs from 5:40 am to midnight, and tickets cost €13 one way or €23 return.
During peak travel hours, trains depart approximately every seven minutes, and the journey then takes another seven minutes. So, you can travel from Bologna Centrale to the airport in approximately 15 minutes.
Inside the Bologna Centrale station, the monorail station is on the Via dei Carracci side, where the old platforms #12-15 would have been. It’s generally well-signed, but I got lost at one point and had to backtrack a few steps to find a sign pointing me in the right direction.
You can buy Marconi Express tickets at the machines near the turnstiles, or you can just tap your phone or credit card to pass through the gates.
Note: If you’re flying into Bologna and heading to Florence, I would recommend a private transfer instead of two trains.
Other Trains to and From Bologna Centrale Train Station
Bologna is a key transportation hub in Italy and an important transfer point for longer journeys from the north to the south (or vice versa). From Bologna, you can reach the following major cities (and others) directly via high-speed Frecciarossa or Frecciargento trains:
- Florence – 37 minutes
- Verona – 50 minutes
- Milan – 1 hour 15 minutes
- Venice – 1 hour 30 minutes
- Rome – 2 hours
- Turin – 2 hours 25 minutes
- Naples – 3 hours 45 minutes
- Bari – 5 hours 45 minutes
- Lecce – 7 hours 5 minutes
It’s also easy to travel to some of the smaller cities and towns around Bologna using inter-city and regional trains. If you have a few days, consider taking a day trip to one of these nearby destinations:
- Modena – In just 25 minutes, you can be in the birthplace of Ferrari.
- Parma – It takes just under an hour to reach the town that is the home of Italy’s most famous cheese – Parmesan!
- Ravenna – The Byzatine mosaics of Ravenna’s churches are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A 75-minute train ride gets you there from Bologna.
- Rimini – Fancy a day at the beach? Intercity trains take 75 minutes to travel from Bologna Centrale to the Adriatic shore.
If you’re facing a long day of travel and have a little room in your Italy itinerary, I highly recommend stopping en route in Bologna. You can leave your luggage at the station and spend one day exploring Bologna, or you can book a hotel room and enjoy an overnight visit (which will give you time to feast on Parma ham, parmesan cheese, tortellini and wine!).
Bathrooms at Bologna Centrale Station
Unfortunately Bologna Centrale doesn’t have free public toilets, but there are pay toilets in Bologna Centrale, in the underground passage below the regular train platforms (#1-11).
If you’re not able to pay to enter then you should be able to use the toilets on the train, which are usually quite clean and have running water (bring your own tissue and hand sanitizer to be safe).
Restaurants & Shops at Bologna Centrale Train Station
There are many restaurants at Bologna Centrale, so if you get hungry while you’re waiting for your train you should be able to find something to eat. The highest concentration of restaurants is around Piazzale Ovest.
A few of the restaurants that I noticed included:
- Rossopomodoro – You’ll find these fast-casual pizza and pasta restaurants in airports, train stations and malls across Italy.
- Dispensa Emilia – A sandwich shop known for their tigelle, which are small, round sandwiches typical to Emilia Romagna.
- Vyta – A typical coffee shop where you can get sandwiches, pastries and hot or cold drinks
- Panfe – A bakery chain with locations across Italy where you can get bread, sweet or savory pastries, and drinks
- Fast Food – There is a Burger King and a KFC right inside the station… but who comes to Italy for American fast food?
As well, there were several small kiosks selling coffee, cold drinks and snacks throughout the station, including one in the waiting area by the high-speed trains.
There are also other shops and services in Bologna Centrale, including a pharmacy and currency exchange office (both shown above), a Despar supermarket, ticket offices for both Trenitalia and Italo, and more.
Luggage Storage at the Bologna Centrale Train Station
If you’re only spending one day in Bologna, you might need to store your luggage while you explore the city. Fortunately, there is luggage storage right inside the train station. I stopped by the KiPoint luggage storage office off Piazzale Ovest to check out their hours (which are subject to change – check the posted hours before leaving your bag with them!) and I also noticed there was a Radical Storage facility on the opposite side of the piazza as well.
Hotels Near the Bologna Train Station
I was in Bologna for five days and I stayed at Hotel Centrale. I picked this hotel because it has a central location midway between the train station and the main piazza, so I wouldn’t have to roll my luggage too far when I arrived and departed.
If you’re looking for a hotel that is even closer to Bologna Centrale, you could look at one of these options:
- Mercure Bologna Centro – There are a few big-name hotels right across the street from the train station, and this one has the best combination of good reviews and reasonable prices.
- Maglo Centro – This independently-run guesthouse is set two blocks back from the station, so things should be a little bit more quiet.
- The Social Hub Bologna – This is on the opposite side of the train station from the historic center, but it makes up for the extra five-minute walk by having an outdoor swimming pool, co-working spaces and a 24-hour gym if you need to squeeze in a workout after all that tortellini.
Parting Words
At first, Bologna Centrale train station can feel overwhelming. As one of the biggest and busiest train stations in the country, and with a layout including tracks on two levels, in two annexes and on a separate monorail, the Bologna train station does present some unique challenges to train travelers in Italy. However, if you arrive prepared and know what to expect, you can make your visit to, or transfer through, Bologna as easy as pie (or should I say, as easy as tiramisu?).
Don’t miss my guide to the best things to do with one day in Bologna, as well as my review of a “secret” food tour in Bologna!
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