At a Glance
| Route | Bologna “G. Marconi” Airport (BLQ) → Bologna Centrale |
| Distance | ~6 km |
| Fastest option | Marconi Express (monorail people mover) |
| Marconi Express duration | ~7 minutes 30 seconds |
| Marconi Express fare | €12.80 single · €23.30 return |
| Marconi Express hours | 05:40–00:00, up to 8 trains/hour |
| Night (after midnight) | Bus airport ↔ station, 00:00–05:40 |
| Taxi | ~15–20 minutes, indicatively €15–25 |
| Practical tip | Our rooms are just 20 metres from Bologna Centrale: step off the Marconi Express and you’re at the door in two minutes |
If you’re flying into Bologna and need to reach the city centre, Bologna Centrale is your natural reference point: it connects to trains across Italy and, crucially, the entire historic centre is walkable from there. The good news is that the airport and station are linked by a dedicated people mover — the Marconi Express — which covers the route in just over seven minutes, free from traffic and traffic lights.
This guide sets out the three real options (people mover, bus, taxi) with fares and timetables verified at source, so you know before you leave what suits you best.
Marconi Express: the Airport–Station People Mover
The Marconi Express is an elevated monorail connecting Bologna Airport to Centrale station, with a single intermediate stop at Lazzaretto. It is the quickest and most predictable way to make the journey: running on its own dedicated line, it is never slowed by city traffic.
How Long It Takes
The journey takes approximately 7 minutes and 30 seconds from terminus to terminus. It is, in practice, the fastest airport-to-centre connection Bologna can offer.
How Much It Costs
| Ticket type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single | €12.80 | adult |
| Return | €23.30 | |
| Flexible fare (single) | €8.70 | valid 12 months from purchase |
| Flexible fare (return) | €16.00 | return within 30 days |
| Station FS ↔ Lazzaretto only | €1.70 | does not cover the airport |
It is worth being honest: at €12.80 per journey, the Marconi Express is one of the most expensive airport connections in Europe relative to the distance covered. If you are travelling as a couple or family, it is worth doing the maths: for three or four people, a taxi may come close to the total cost of individual tickets.
Tip. If you know you will be returning to the airport within a few days (a weekend trip, for instance), the return ticket or the flexible fare bring the per-journey cost down. The flexible fare is particularly good for travellers with loose schedules.
Timetable and Frequency
The Marconi Express runs from 05:40 to midnight, seven days a week, all year round. During peak hours there are up to 8 trains per hour in each direction — roughly one every 7–8 minutes. There is no need to plan your train: turn up at the stop and go.
What About Night-time? (after midnight)
When the monorail closes, the connection does not stop entirely: from midnight to 05:40 a bus covers the route between the airport and Bologna Centrale. If you have a night flight or land late, this is the official alternative to a taxi. Check the exact night bus timetable on the website before you travel, as services are less frequent than the monorail.
Where to Find the Stop, at the Station
The Bologna Centrale stop for the Marconi Express is on the side of the station: “Marconi Express” signs point to it from the main concourse. Once you step off, you are already a few steps from the exit onto Via Pietramellara — and therefore a few steps from our rooms.
The Alternatives: Bus and Taxi
The people mover is not the only option. Depending on the time of day, your luggage, and how many people are travelling, the city bus or a taxi may also make sense.
Taxi
Taxis wait outside the arrivals area at the airport. The journey to the station normally takes 15–20 minutes depending on traffic. There is no fixed official fare for the airport–station route: indicatively €15–25, with a night and bank holiday surcharge and a small luggage supplement.
A taxi is most worthwhile:
- at night, when the monorail is closed and buses are infrequent;
- if you are travelling with 3–4 people, because the cost is shared;
- if you have a lot of luggage or are travelling with young children and want door-to-door service.
The authorised taxi companies at the airport are CO.TA.BO. (+39 051 372727) and CAT Bologna Radiotaxi (+39 051 4590).
City Bus
Bologna is served by an urban bus network run by Tper. The airport is also connected to the city by bus routes, useful mainly for passengers who hold a travel pass or want to spend less than the people mover. For details on routes, fares, and getting around the city by public transport, see our dedicated transport article.
For getting to Bologna from farther afield (by train, plane, or car) and working out how to connect your journey, read our guide How to get to Bologna.
Which to Choose: a Quick Comparison
| Your situation | Recommended option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum speed and predictability | Marconi Express | ~7.5 min, no traffic, up to 8 trains/hour |
| Flight landing after midnight | Taxi or night bus | the monorail is closed until 05:40 |
| Travelling with 3–4 people | Taxi | the cost is shared, often cheaper overall |
| Tight budget, travelling light | City bus | lower fare than the people mover |
| Lots of luggage or young children | Taxi | door-to-door, no transfers |
In short: if you are travelling alone or as a couple, during the day, the Marconi Express is almost always the best choice for speed and reliability. In a group, at night, or with a lot of luggage, the taxi becomes competitive because the cost is shared and it is door-to-door.
From the Station to Your Room: 20 Metres
This is the advantage of staying right next to the station. Step off the Marconi Express, exit the station, and in two minutes on foot you are at Bologna Station Suites: our rooms are 20 metres from Bologna Centrale. No second transfer, no dragging a suitcase halfway across the city. Drop your bags and, if you like, head straight out on foot towards the historic centre.
From here, everything in the centre is walkable: Piazza Maggiore, the Two Towers, and the UNESCO porticoes are less than twenty minutes away. To find out about them, have a look at the Neighbourhood around the station.
FAQ
How long does the Marconi Express take from the airport to the station? About 7 minutes and 30 seconds from terminus to terminus. It is the fastest connection between Bologna Airport and the city centre.
How much is a Marconi Express ticket? €12.80 single and €23.30 return for an adult. There is also a flexible fare at €8.70 (single), valid for 12 months from purchase.
What time is the first and last service? The service runs from 05:40 to midnight every day of the year. After midnight and until 05:40 the connection is maintained by a bus between the airport and the station.
How do I get to the station if I land at night? Between midnight and 05:40 there is a night bus from the airport to the station; alternatively, a taxi (indicatively €15–25, with a night surcharge). Check the bus timetable before you travel.
Is the taxi or the Marconi Express better value? Alone or as a couple, during the day, the Marconi Express is almost always better value for speed and frequency. With 3–4 people, at night, or with a lot of luggage, the taxi becomes competitive because the cost is shared and it is door-to-door. Indicatively €15–25 for the route.
Does the Marconi Express stop anywhere between the airport and the station? Yes, there is one intermediate stop, Lazzaretto. It is also possible to travel just the Station FS ↔ Lazzaretto section for €1.70, though this does not cover the airport.
Check Availability — Your Room 20 m from the Station
Step off the Marconi Express and in two minutes you are at Bologna Station Suites: rooms 20 metres from Bologna Centrale, perfect for travellers arriving by air who want the city centre on their doorstep.
Check Availability → · or message us on WhatsApp
Explore our rooms: Our Rooms · Discover the area: The Neighbourhood · Getting here: How to get to Bologna