Getting around Bologna: public transport guide

Uncover Bologna’s public transport secrets—affordable tickets, must-know tips, bike rentals, and what expats need to know for smooth travel.

Sofia

9 minute read

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Updated on 16 Sep 2026

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Living

Bologna's public transport runs on TPER buses and regional trains, with single bus tickets from €1.50 and monthly passes from €27 for under-27s. Bologna's public transport system is easy to use and fairly reliable. The company that operates Bologna's public transport is called TPER (Transporto Passeggeri Emilia-Romagna) and they do a great job of connecting you to the various Bologna neighbourhoods and nearby cities. Once you know your options, you can choose the right neighbourhood in Bologna that matches your commute.

Discover the public transport fares and other alternatives in this guide.

• Students: get the MiMuovo card and a monthly pass for €27 (under-27 discount) instead of paying €36 full price.
• Young professionals/expats: an Annual Personal pass costs €300, or split an Annual Impersonal pass (€330) with a partner or flatmate since it's shareable.
• Everyone: buy single tickets (€1.50) at a machine before boarding, not on the bus (€2), and always validate them once you're on board.
• Night owls and early flyers: TPER runs a weekend night bus network, plus a dedicated €4 night bus (line 944) to and from the airport.
• New arrivals: the Marconi Express monorail gets you from the airport to the city centre in 7 minutes for €12.80.
• Cyclists: RideMovi e-bikes are the main shared micromobility option in Bologna since there's no dedicated e-scooter sharing yet.

Bologna has a good network of inter-city busses and trains that connect to major Italian destinations, such as Milan, Rome and Venice.

Surprisingly, Bologna doesn't have a working tram or metro unlike most major Italian cities. However, a Bologna tram network is currently under construction and its first line (the Red line) is expected to be operational by 2026 with 3 more lines being added by 2030.

Why the bus is your best option

The bus is the best public transport option in Bologna as it's a convenient and cost-effective way to move around the city.

The buses connect the various neighbourhoods of Bologna to the city centre and vice versa. The average wait time is 30 minutes to 1 hour. Overall, you can be sure to reach your destination on time since buses in Bologna have reserved lanes on the roads.

What are the bus fares in Bologna?

The bus fares in Bologna are cheap compared to the bus fares in other northern Italian cities. A single-use bus ticket costs €1.50.

We recommend buying the ticket in advance at a machine not only because it's cheaper but also because sometimes machines on the bus don't work. The machines also only accept coins and don't give change. Want to see how transport tickets fit into your monthly budget? Here’s how to budget for living costs in Bologna.

Student and young professional discounts

As a frequent traveller or as an expat living in Bologna, it's better to get a seasonal ticket (abbonamenti). There're 3 types of seasonal tickets, all of which allow unlimited travel.

The monthly impersonal ticket is valid until the end of the month. Both the annual tickets are valid for 12 months. Both the impersonal seasonal tickets can be used by others, unlike the personal ticket.

How to get the seasonal ticket

To get any of the seasonal tickets, you need to apply for a personal identification card called the *MiMuovo. You can apply online or purchase it at certain locations, such as the Bologna bus station, or TPER Marconi points. You'll need a valid ID, such as a passport.

The MiMuovo is valid for 5 years and costs €5. If you're a university student, check with your university first: several Bologna universities negotiate subsidised annual passes directly with TPER, which can cost less than the standard under-27 rate. If you're on a tight budget, find out how to stretch your budget in Bologna with student discounts and practical tips.

No matter how you decide to travel, you'll need to buy a TPER ticket to travel by bus or train. You can buy these tickets at:

• Official TPER points
• Official resellers (e.g. cigarette and newspaper stands)
• Self-service ticket issuing machine
• Onboard (This costs more)
• Muver app (Best for expats as it's in English. Valid on Android)
• Roger app (Valid on Apple and Android)
• Internet (Only for subscription tickets)
• ATM (Only to top up subscription tickets)

To top up a MiMuovo seasonal pass, use the TPER website, an ATM point, or a TPER ticket office. Muver and Roger are also the fastest way to check real-time bus arrivals and plan routes, which is handy since the average wait can stretch to an hour.

Around 700 trains and 159,000 passengers pass through Bologna Centrale every day. To use the train, just head to the central station from where you can take a train to the wider Emilia-Romagna region or to other Italian cities.

To travel by trains within the Emilia-Romagna region, you can use the 9 lines operated by trenitaliaTPER on the FER network. To travel to the wider Emilia-Romagna region, you only need an extra-urban travel ticket and the cost depends on the zone you want to travel to.

To travel from Bologna to the rest of Italy, you can use the railway companies Italo and Trenitalia who operate the following trains – Frecciarossa, Frecciaargento, FrecciaBianca and Trenord.

Wondering how much train rides will cost you from Bologna? You'll be able to reach Florence in less than 45 minutes by paying a minimum of €9.45 for a ticket. Similarly, you can reach Milan and Venice in less than 1.5 hours for less than €15 if you book tickets in advance.

Bologna airport to the city centre

The fastest way from Bologna Airport (BLQ) to the city centre is the Marconi Express monorail, which takes you to Bologna Centrale station in just 7 minutes. A single ticket costs €12.80 (€23.30 return), and the service runs from 5:40 AM to midnight, with up to 8 departures per hour at rush hour. It's the most convenient option if you're arriving with luggage and want to avoid transfers.

If you're on a budget, a regular TPER bus connects the airport to the centre for a fraction of the price, though it takes longer and runs less frequently. Compare both against a taxi if you land late or need a direct door-to-door ride.

Night transport options in Bologna

TPER runs a night bus network from Friday to Sunday, plus pre-holidays and public holidays. You can use your normal bus tickets on these routes, so there's no need to buy anything special.

If you're flying in or out late, line 944 connects the airport to the city centre through the night, operating from 4:00 AM to 2:00 AM for a flat €4 fare, with departures roughly every half hour. Outside of these services, Cotabo taxis run 24/7 and are the most reliable backup if you miss the last bus.

Planning a night out? Here’s where to find the best nightlife areas in Bologna.

Bike, taxis and rental cars are other convenient options for getting around Bologna if you don't want to use public transportation.

Bike and e-bike sharing

Cycling is the most popular mode of transportation chosen by locals in Bologna. It's also an excellent way to explore the city. For those who want to live in Centro Storico, the city’s most walkable area, many daily needs are within easy reach without a bus or bike.

If you don't own a bike, you can easily rent one at different rental shops throughout the city. Nearby the Central station, you'll find public bike-sharing services, such as Ride Movi, which charge around €2.30 for the first 30 minutes of e-bike rental and around €2.10 for every 30 minutes after.

Bologna doesn't currently have a dedicated e-scooter sharing service, unlike Florence or Milan. RideMovi's e-bikes are your best shared option for short hops beyond walking distance.

If you own a bike, make sure to buy a strong lock as bike theft is common, especially in the university area.

Taxi

The taxi is not popular in Bologna because the city centre is easily accessible by foot. However, taxis are useful if you travel late at night or are in a hurry.

Cotabo is Bologna's main taxi company, with a variety of cars available for booking via the company app or by phone. Taxis are available 24/7 and are usually parked in one of the designated parking lots near the Central Station, the airport, Via Indipendenza, Piazza Malpighi, and Piazza Maggiore.

In general, the fixed cost of a taxi is around €3.40 during the day and €6.10 at night. You can calculate an indicative price on the Cotabo app by entering your departure and arrival points.

Watch out for T-Days in Bologna

T-Days are special days when parts of the streets in Bologna are exclusively open to pedestrians and cyclists to free up traffic in the centre. T-Days take place every weekend and on public holidays from 8:00 A.M. until 22:00 P.M.

The area under T-Days include: Via Rizzoli, Via Ugo Bassi, Via Independenza, Calzorelie, and more.

On these days, it's best to walk or look for alternatives to the bus.

Common mistakes to avoid

Any ticket you buy is valid only after you validate the ticket upon entering the bus or at the train station. Skipping this step is the single most common (and costly) mistake newcomers make.

Do not board a bus without a ticket because the fine for travelling without a ticket is €75 if you pay within 5 days, €100 if you're late, and €6 if you forget your annual pass. Officials often don't wear uniforms and it's best not to risk it.

Once you know how you'll get around, the next practical step is picking a place near a reliable bus line or close to Bologna Centrale, so your daily commute doesn't eat into your time. On HousingAnywhere, you can browse verified listings in Bologna, check exact locations on the map before you decide, and book before you arrive. Every booking comes with Tenant Protection, so your first month's rent stays secure until you've confirmed the place matches the listing, meaning one less thing to worry about while you're still figuring out the bus routes.

Moving to Bologna for university? Start here to plan your student life in Bologna.

Can I use the same ticket for buses and trains in Bologna? Not automatically. A single urban bus ticket only covers TPER buses within the city zone. For regional trains, you need a separate extra-urban ticket priced by zone. If you travel by both regularly, get an integrated Mi Muovo seasonal pass, which covers unlimited travel on TPER buses and regional trains within your chosen zone.

How accessible is Bologna's public transport for people with disabilities? TPER buses are equipped with boarding ramps and dedicated wheelchair spaces, clearly marked with signage. Regional trains offer platform lifts and accessible carriages, and Trenitalia's Sala Blu service provides assistance if you book ahead. Coverage is generally good but not universal, so check accessibility signage on your specific route before travelling.

Does public transport change during holidays or festivals in Bologna? Yes. On Sundays and public holidays, buses generally run on a reduced weekend schedule, and TPER's night bus network specifically covers Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. During major festivals, expect extra crowding and possible rerouting around T-Days streets, so build in extra time.

Is there a metro or tram in Bologna? No, not yet. Bologna currently relies on buses and trains, but its first tram line (the Red line) is expected to open in 2026, with 3 more lines planned by 2030.

Now that you’ve got transport sorted, settle into Bologna like a local with our expat guide.