Bologna public transport: a complete guide

Using public transportation in Bologna is a budget-friendly and eco-conscious way to navigate the city.

This guide covers everything you need to know about using buses, bike-sharing and car-sharing services, and local trains.

Grab your ticket—the red bus is on its way!

An overview of Bologna's public transport system

Bologna’s public transport system includes a mix of buses and suburban trains that serve the city and its surroundings.

Bologna’s extensive bus network reaches virtually every corner of the city, making it easy to access historic landmarks, neighborhoods, and popular attractions.

Key routes operate frequently, especially during peak hours on weekdays.

For day trips from Bologna, the suburban train network connects to nearby towns and cities like Modena, Ferrara, and Imola.

TPER, a regional transport company responsible for buses and train services, manages the Bologna transport network.

How to use Bologna's public transport

Let's see which ticket options you have and how to validate them.

Bus tickets and fares

Navigating Bologna's public transport starts with understanding the ticketing system. Tickets are required for all modes of transport and must be purchased before boarding. Here's what you need to know:

1. Types of tickets:
   • Single ride tickets: The ticket remains valid for 75 minutes after validation, or until you exit the bus on which it was properly validated.
   • 10 tickets carnet: You can buy a carnet of 10 single-ride tickets at a discounted price.
   • Day passes: The ticket is valid for 24 hours after validation and allows travel within Bologna's urban area on any route, including multiple lines. Be sure to validate it at the start of your first ride.
   • Monthly passes: Perfect for longer stays or regular commutes.
2. Where to buy bus tickets:
   • On the bus: you can buy a single-ride ticket on the bus and pay by coins or credit card. The cost of a single ticket is 2€.
   • Ticket machines: Located at the Bologna Centrale train station, the airport, and the Autostazione bus station.
   • Tobacco shops: Identified by the blue "T" symbol, these shops sell single tickets and passes.
   • Mobile apps: The Muver app allows users to purchase and store digital tickets (only for Android phones).

Ticket prices (2024)

• Single ride: 1.50€ (2€ if you buy it on the bus)
• Day pass: 6€
• Monthly pass: 36€
• Children up to one-metre tall travel for free.
• All children under 14 years of age residing in Emilia-Romagna are entitled to a free season ticket

Validating tickets

Once you’ve purchased a ticket, it must be validated before your journey begins.
Validation machines are located on buses, near the doors.

Tip: Failure to validate your ticket can result in fines of up to €100

Getting around Bologna by bus

Buses are the backbone of Bologna’s transport network, with dozens of routes crisscrossing the city.

Main bus routes in Bologna

While the entire network is useful, some routes are particularly relevant for visitors:

- Lines 32 and 33: they run around Bologna city walls and stopping at all the middle-aged gates

- Line 20: this line cuts Bologna from East to West and could be useful if you'd like to walk up to San Luca Balisica starting from Meloncello

- Line 14: another cutting line that you can use to visit Certosa cemetery or watch a game at Dall'Ara Stadium

Night buses

The N lines connect Bologna and the surrounding municipalities, non-stop by night.

The Tper night bus network operates from Friday to Sunday, pre-holidays and holidays except October 4th.

You can use the normal tickets.

Alternatives to public transport in Bologna

Buses cover all the area of Bologna, but it's not the only alternative to move efficiently in the city.

Bike sharing

The bike-sharing service in Bologna is Mobike.
You have to download the app Ridemovi to use the e-bikes and standard bikes around the city.

The cost is 2€ every 30 minutes if you leave the e-bike in the parking area, and 2,5€ if you leave it outside.

You can find the closest Mobike using the map on the app.

Car-sharing options

You have 2 car-sharing alternatives in Bologna:

• Enjoy: Enjoy is a car-sharing service that lets you book and unlock vehicles via smartphone using GPS. You can park in designated spaces within the coverage area.
• Corrente: Corrente is a 100% electric car-sharing service available for rent via its app. It allows you to travel in and around Bologna with ease, offering free parking, access to the ZTL (limited traffic zones), and the ability to use preferential lanes.
  They also offer electric scooters.

Bologna new tramline

A new tramline will arrive in Bologna in 2026.

The red line will connect Borgo Panigale with the Fiera district, including a stop near Ospedale Maggiore, Piazza Maggiore, and Bologna Centrale train station.

Other lines are planned to be developed in the coming years.

Public Transport to Bologna’s Surroundings

Bologna’s strategic location makes it a perfect base for exploring Emilia-Romagna.
Public transport connects the city to nearby destinations with ease.

Trains from Bologna Centrale station serve popular towns such as Modena, Parma or Ravenna.

Tickets can be purchased at Bologna Centrale train station or the Trenitalia website.

Photo credits: Andrea, Maurizio Taglietta, Max Bashyrov (Licence @Creative Commons) Nicola Violetto