Travel Information

Please note: the following information is provided on an unofficial basis for the sole purpose of assistance. The Conference cannot be held responsible for any change in the data. It is the responsibility of the participant to ultimately validate it from official sources, some of which are named below

Travel Information

Bologna is easy to reach. There are various airlines that fly directly to Bologna as well as excellent train connections from the major cities in Italy. In case your preferred airline offers no direct flights to Bologna we recommend to book a flight to Milan and then take the direct train to Bologna. The high speed connection is fast and the tickets well-priced

By plane

Guglielmo Marconi International Airport links Bologna with the main Italian and European airports. The airport is located just a few minutes from the city center and about 8 km (15’ by taxi) from the Polo Congressi.

Airport facilities include bank and currency exchange services, ATMs, left luggage facilities, a business lounge, travel agents, an information desk, the Lost&Found office, and many shops and restaurants. The full list of airlines fly to and from Bologna Airport can be found here: airlines Bologna Airport.

The airport is served by taxis outside the terminal and a special bus line called the Aerobus. A taxi from the airport to the center costs about € 15 – 20. You can use the Aerobus shuttle to the railway station, and continue to the Bologna Congressi by bus

The Aerobus runs every 11 minutes between 5:30 a.m. and 11:35 p.m. every day of the year. The station is located in front of the Arrivals Hall. The Aerobus serves the central train station of Bologna and the city center in about 20 minutes. Tickets must be purchased on board the bus and cost 6 EUR.

Bologna’s Stazione Centrale is only 15 minutes from Polo Congressi. Bus lines (Tper) 35, 35/ and 38 link the station to the Bologna Congressi, P.zza Costituzione and Viale Aldo Moro entrances:

Railway Station -> Bologna Congressi = lines 35 and 38
Bologna Congressi -> Railway Station = lines 35 and 39

Bus tickets should be bought before getting on the bus, at any newsagent’s or tobacconist’s, or can also be bought on the automatic machine on board of the bus, for an extra price (EUR 1.50) – but please note that the machine does not give change, coins are required. All tickets are valid for 75 minutes and allow any bus change within their validity.

By train

“Bologna Centrale” train station is located on the northern edge of the city center. Due to its central location and geography, Bologna has emerged as the main rail transport hub of northern Italy, making it very well connected with other major Italian cities.

The high-speed railway line allows moving easily throughout the peninsula and to reach various Italian cities comfortably in just a few hours, e.g. to/from Florence (35’), Milan (1h 02’), Venice (1h 25’), Rome (1h 54’), Turin (2h 17’), Naples (3h 15’).

You can plan your travel by choosing among the more than three hundred daily connections available from the two companies which operate in Italy: Trenitalia and Italo Treno (NTV).

Tickets can be purchased online from the websites of the two companies, at your local travel agency or at the ticket offices of the railway stations.

From just outside the station, visitors can take taxis or buses into the heart of the city, to the Centro Congressi or to Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, which is 6 km away.

Bologna Central train station is just a 15 minutes bus journey from Bologna Centro Congressi. Bus lines (Tper) 35, 35/ and 38 link the station to the Bologna Congressi, P.zza Costituzione and Viale Aldo Moro entrances:

Railway Station -> Bologna Congressi = lines 35 and 38
Bologna Congressi -> Railway Station = lines 35 and 39

By bus

The Bologna Centro Congressi can be reached every day with Tper buses 28 – 35 and 35/ – 38 – 39 at the regular city rate.

Railway Station -> Bologna Fiere = lines 35 and 38
Bologna Fiere -> Railway Station = lines 35 and 39
Centre <-> Bologna Fiere and returning = line 28

The town of Bologna is served by 40 bus lines. The center in particular is crossed by four lines (A, C, T1 and 12) that stop at the main tourist attractions.

Tickets can be purchased before getting on the bus, at any newsagent’s or tobacconist’s, or on the bus for an extra price. A single fare costs 1.30 EUR (1.50 EUR on board but please note that the machine does not give change, coins are required), a day pass costs 5 EUR, a “city pass” ticket costs 12 EUR (10 rides for 12.00 EUR instead of 13.00, usable by more than one people at a time, just valid it more than once where getting on the bus). All tickets are valid for 75 minutes and allow any bus change within their validity.

For information, see: http://www.tper.it/o

By car

The city is at the junction of the A1, A14 and A13 highways, and so is easily accessible from anywhere in Italy. The A1 motorway (“Autostrada del Sole”) links Bologna with Milan, Florence and Rome. The A13 motorway links Bologna with Ferrara, Padua and Venice, while the A14 connects it with Rimini and Ravenna.

From Florence, Milan, and Ancona: exit at the new “BOLOGNA FIERA” toll booth motorway A14
From Padua: ring road exit 8 for Nord, Michelino, Moro entrances and Michelino car park; ring road exit 7 for Costituzione entrance and car park

For motorway information, see: http://www.autostrade.it/en/home

Notes:

Classed LTZ (limited traffic zone), downtown Bologna is closed to vehicles, except for residents
For parking information, see: http://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/tourist-information/params/Ambiente_1/Famiglia_1.02/Sottofamiglia_1.02.04/ref/Parking

Rentals

There are plenty of car hire agencies at the airport and downtown Bologna, including Hertz, Avis, Budget, Sixt and Thrifty.

Driving licences issued by any of the EU member states are valid throughout the European Union, including Italy. Drivers in possession of a licence issued by any EU country do not require an international driving permit or a sworn translation of their own licence.

Notes:

Classed LTZ (limited traffic zone), downtown Bologna is closed to vehicles, except for residents
For parking information, see: http://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/tourist-information/params/Ambiente_1/Famiglia_1.02/Sottofamiglia_1.02.04/ref/Parking