Parking in Bologna near the station: prices and options

At a glance

Arriving in Bologna by car is straightforward: the city is a motorway hub between the A1, A13 and A14. The problem is not getting there; it is finding somewhere to leave the car once you are near the centre. The station area, where we are located, is surrounded by a ZTL (restricted traffic zone) that covers the entire historic centre, and on-street spaces are scarce and almost all paid.

This guide is for guests arriving at our property by car: what you need to know about the ZTL, the best places to park near the station, rough costs, and how to get around without the car once it is sorted. On prices, we are straightforward: parking rates change regularly, so the figures below are indicative — always check the tariff board on arrival.

Note on prices: Bologna’s parking tariffs are updated periodically. The figures below are indicative and were verified at the time of writing. Always check the tariff board at the car park entrance or the operator’s app before leaving your car.

First thing to understand: the city-centre ZTL

Bologna’s historic centre is a Zona a Traffico Limitato: motor vehicle access is restricted every day from 07:00 to 20:00. Entrances are monitored by cameras (the system is called “Sirio”): if you enter without a permit, the fine arrives by post.

What this means in practice:

• Do not drive into the centre looking for a space “near your accommodation”. Our station area is on the edge of this system, but the true historic centre is closed.
• There is also the T area (Via Rizzoli, Via Indipendenza, Via Ugo Bassi) and the pedestrian zones, which have continuous restrictions.
• At weekends there are T-Days: from Saturday to Sunday, part of the centre becomes entirely pedestrian, closed to all vehicles.

The golden rule: leave the car outside the centre or in a dedicated car park, and get around on foot or by public transport. From our property, 20 metres from the station, the entire centre is walkable.

If you have hired a car and want a full explanation of checkpoints and permits, we have a dedicated article: Car hire and the ZTL in Bologna.

Parking at the station: Bologna Centrale multi-storey car parks (P1, P2, P3)

The simplest option if you are staying with us is the Bologna Centrale station car park system, managed by FS Park (Ferrovie group). These are multi-storey car parks with direct pedestrian access to the platforms and the high-speed station.

Useful notes:

• P1 is the largest (around 470–480 spaces) and is open 24 hours according to the FS Park website, with direct pedestrian access to the station. It has spaces for people with reduced mobility and some “pink” bays.
• P2 is designed as a Kiss & Ride, meaning short stays for dropping off or picking up train passengers; it usually has the highest hourly rate.
• P3 tends to have the lowest hourly rate and is often the best choice for a stay of several hours or a full day.
• Many of these car parks can be booked in advance (via the Trenitalia app or website), which is useful during trade fair periods.

How much does a full day cost? Indicatively between approx. €20 and €25 in a multi-storey car park, depending on the car park. For longer stays, consider the alternatives below.

Another station-area option: the “Nuovo Parcheggio Stazione”

Also near the station is the Nuovo Parcheggio Stazione, a large facility with rates designed for longer stays. The indicative tariffs (daytime, daily, reduced overnight) are available on the official website or at the entrance: worth checking before you leave your car.

This is an interesting option if your stay lasts several days and the car will sit unused: the daily rate tends to be lower than that of the Kiss & Ride multi-storey car parks.

Saving money: park-and-ride facilities

If you want to spend less and do not mind a short bus journey, a park-and-ride is the answer: leave the car a little further from the centre and continue by public transport.

Tanari park-and-ride

The Tanari park-and-ride (Via Luigi Tanari, Bolognina area) is an economical park-and-ride facility approximately 2 km from the centre, linked to the station by shuttle/bus. It is designed for those who want to park away from the centre and continue by public transport — a genuine alternative for guests looking for the most affordable option.

Note: Tanari park-and-ride’s tariffs and management have changed over time; available sources are not consistent. Check the current rates at the entrance or on the Comune website before leaving your car.

How a park-and-ride works, in 3 steps

1. Park your car at the park-and-ride (e.g. Tanari).
2. Take the bus towards the centre/station (lines serve the area).
3. Walk the last stretch to us: we are 20 metres from the station.

For bus routes and how TPER tickets work, see our guide on Bologna’s bus network.

Blue lines: on-street parking near the station

Around the station and outside the ZTL there are paid on-street bays, the strisce blu (blue lines). They are handy for short stops, but less suitable for leaving the car for a long time.

What to know:

• Payment is at the meter or via app (e.g. Telepass, EasyPark, UnipolMove); hourly rates vary — check on arrival.
• Rates and payment hours vary by zone: always read the sign next to the meter.
• For a stay of one or more nights, blue lines are not the right choice: they cost more and you have to renew the payment. A multi-storey car park or park-and-ride is better.

Which option is right for you?

Our host recommendation: drop off your luggage with us first (we are 20 metres from the station), then sort the car at your leisure in whichever car park suits you. Once the car is parked, Bologna is wonderfully easy to explore on foot — the centre is all close by. See what you can reach on foot from the station.

FAQ

Can I drive up to Bologna Station Suites? Yes, you can come close to drop off luggage, but bear in mind that the historic centre is in the ZTL (active 07:00–20:00 every day). The simplest approach is to unload and then move the car to a dedicated car park. Message us on WhatsApp before you arrive and we’ll give you precise access instructions.

How much does it cost to park for a full day near the station? Indicatively between approx. €20 and €25 per day in a car park, depending on the facility; for multi-day stays the park-and-ride interchanges outside the centre (e.g. Tanari) are cheaper. Check current rates on arrival.

Is there an affordable car park near the centre? The Tanari park-and-ride is designed as an economical park-and-ride: you park and continue into the city by public transport. Rates may change: check at the entrance or on the Comune website.

Do I need to book a parking space? In normal periods it is not necessary, but during trade fairs (for example Cersaie) the station area is very busy: booking an FS Park multi-storey in advance can save you a nasty surprise.

Can I enter the ZTL if I am staying in the centre? Accommodation providers can arrange access permits and tickets for their guests, but the rules are specific. Since we are 20 metres from the station and outside the pedestrian core, the simplest solution remains parking in a multi-storey or park-and-ride. Contact us and we’ll talk through your situation.

Do you pay for blue-line parking on Sundays and at night? It depends on the zone: payment hours are shown on the sign next to the meter. In many central areas payment is required beyond standard daytime weekday hours, so always check before leaving your car.

Check availability — your room 20 m from the station

Arriving by car? Drop off your luggage with us and then sort the car at your leisure: we are 20 metres from Bologna Centrale, with the entire centre reachable on foot.

Check availability → · or message us on WhatsApp

Discover our rooms: Our rooms · Explore the area: The Neighbourhood · By car: Car hire and the ZTL in Bologna