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Travel to Bologna

Flying to Bologna

British Airways and Ryanair run direct flights from the UK to Bologna. Cheap flights are available year-round, although prices tend to go up in summer. There are no direct flights from the USA.

Flight times

From London - 2 hours 5 minutes; New York - 9 hours 35 minutes; Los Angeles - 12 hours 50 minutes; Toronto - 10 hours 10 minutes; Sydney - 20 hours 20 minutes.

Travel by road

Italy has an excellent selection of autostrade (A) (motorways), the main north-south link being the autostrada del sole, which links Milan with Naples in the south of Italy. Speed limits on motorways are 130kph (81mph), while on non-urban highways it's 110kph (68mph). In built-up areas it's 50kph (31mph). Motorways are tolled, so travellers on a budget might prefer the stradestatali (SS), which are often fast, multi-lane carriageways that are toll free. Stradeprovinciale are perfect for exploring Italy's hidden countryside.

Car lights must be switched on at any time on autostrade and stradestatali. All those not in possession of an EU licence must carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence. The minimum age for driving a car is 18, but from 14 years up you are permitted to drive a moped under 50cc (for which you don't need a licence). Up to 125cc you must be 16 years or over, and for above this you need a motorcycle licence. EU nationals taking their own vehicle will need an International Insurance Certificate, also known as a Carta Verde (Green Card), issued by your car-insurance company. Automobile Club Italia (ACI) (tel: +39 06 491 115; www.aci.it) provides further information.

Emergency breakdown services

ACI (tel: +39 803 116).

Routes

Bologna is linked to Milan, Florence and Rome by the A1. The A13 arrives directly from Venice and Padua, while the A14 links Bologna to the coastal towns of Ravenna and Rimini.

Coaches

There are numerous coach service providers operating to and from Bologna's coach terminal, Autostazione di Bologna, Piazza XX Settembre 6 (tel: +39 051 245 400; www.autostazionebo.it), just around the corner from the train station.

Pullman (coaches) from regional centres such as Ferrara and Modena arrive at this station. There are also long-distance services from Milan and Ancona and international services from London, Paris and Frankfurt.

Time to city

From Milan - 2 hours; Rome - 4 hours; Venice - 1 hour 40 minutes; Florence - 1 hour 15 minutes.


Travel by Rail

Services

Bologna's train station, Bologna Centrale, is located at Piazza Medaglie d'Oro, in the north of the city. Facilities in the station include car hire, banks, bars, restaurants, newspaper stands and a pharmacy. Passengers must validate their printed tickets by stamping them in the yellow machines, located on the platform, before boarding, to avoid having to pay a fine. E-tickets are also available. Supplements might be charged, depending on the type of train taken (Diretto, Interregionale, Espresso, Intercity or Eurostar).

Bologna Centrale is one of Italy's main crossroads for both national and international trains. It has good connections to the main destinations in Italy and is on the high-speed network, which has drastically cut travel times to numerous destinations.

Operators

Trenitalia (tel: +39 06 6847 5475; www.trenitalia.com) is the national rail company, which runs a fast, efficient and good-value service throughout Italy. Italo (tel: +39 06 422 991; www.italotreno.it) offers a high-speed service to Venice via Padua, Turin via Milan, and Salerno via Florence, Rome and Naples.

Journey times

From Milan - 1 hour; Florence - 30 minutes; Rome - 2 hours 30 minutes; Venice - 1 hour 30 minutes; Naples - 5 hours.


A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

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Hotel Corona D'Oro

Situated by the Two Towers in the heart of the historic centre, this luxury hotel is housed in an historic 14th-century palace and is within walking distance of all the major sights. Rooms are grand and elegantly furnished with spacious bathrooms. Particularly popular is the aperitivo buffet at happy hour and its plentiful breakfast.

Hotel Metropolitan

With minimalist decor, white walls, clean lines, candles and South East Asian art, Hotel Metropolitan is something of a calm oasis. The buffet breakfast is stocked with organic produce and there is a little courtyard to relax if the weather is good. The central square is just a short walk along one of the city's main shopping streets.

Hotel Ideale

This good value hotel close to the railway station has small but clean en-suite rooms, and pleasant staff. It has tea and coffee making facilities but doesn't offer breakfast. It also has the option of a room in a nearby apartment.

Hotel Porta San Mamolo

Excellent value, this comfortable, quiet and central hotel is close to Piazza Maggiore. Rooms are light and prettily decorated with period fabrics, elegant furnishings, floral oil paintings and candy-stripe wallpaper. The bright breakfast room is set between two courtyards. There is free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and complimentary bike hire.

Hotel Paradise

Within walking distance of the tourist centre, the 3-star Hotel Paradise offers 18 rooms, including mini apartments with small kitchens. Most of the rooms have elegant modern decor and offer fantastic views of the city's red rooftops. Its free internet and Wi-Fi access is a bonus.


Hotel Albergo Atlantic

A cosy and charming budget hotel within walking distance of the city centre, Hotel Albergo Atlantic is also close to the train station. The rooms have been renovated recently and are light and bright. Expect friendly, welcoming staff, spotlessly clean rooms and a continental buffet breakfast. Complimentary Wi-Fi is included too.