- Must visit
Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna
A major art museum with Italian paintings from the Middle Ages to the modern era, plus temporary exhibitions in the city centre.
Cheapest price
£165
Average price
£165
Fastest journey
18 h 11 m
Average duration
18 h 11 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
729 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Palermo to Bologna is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Palermo to Bologna will cost around £165 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £165.
To travel from Palermo to Bologna you need to make at least one change.
Intercity 730+
InterCityNotte 774
Intercity 730+
InterCityNotte 774Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Palermo to Bologna among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from £14. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 42m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of £14, and a train costs an average of £50.
Distance: 729 km
| Train | Most popular Flight | Coach |
|---|---|---|
£92 Average Price | £47 Average Price Cheapest | £74 Average Price |
15h 5m Average total duration 14h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 42m Average total duration Fastest 1h 42m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 16h 57m Average total duration 16h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | 0.7 - 1.8kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Palermo to Bologna trains for today, Tuesday 25 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:15 Palermo | 18h06 | 3:21 Bologna | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 10:55 Palermo | 18h12 | 5:07 Bologna | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 10:58 Palermo | 18h09 | 5:07 Bologna | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 11:55 Palermo | 18h12 | 6:07 Bologna | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 18:25 Palermo | 20h25 | 14:50 Bologna | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 19:25 Palermo | 20h25 | 15:50 Bologna | 0 changesdirect | |
| Wednesday 26 August | |||||
Intercity 730+ InterCityNotte 774 | 10:10 Palermo Centrale | 18h11 | 4:21 Bologna Centrale | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach, train and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Palermo to Bologna run on average 6 times per day, taking around 14h 35m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £50 but you can travel from only £14 by flight.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:44. The fastest train covers the 729 km distance in 14h 35m.
Distance 729 km |
Average train duration 14h 35m |
Cheapest ticket price £50 |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 14h 35m |
First train 0:01 |
Last train 23:44 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 63 days |
Discover the best of Bologna — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bologna trip today.
A major art museum with Italian paintings from the Middle Ages to the modern era, plus temporary exhibitions in the city centre.
Bologna’s modern and contemporary art museum presents rotating exhibitions and a compact permanent collection in a converted industrial space.
An engaging museum on Bologna’s industrial and social history, with working models, scientific instruments, and practical displays for curious visitors.
Bologna’s grand central square is the city’s social and architectural heart, framed by major civic buildings and lively throughout the day.
A long porticoed walk climbing towards San Luca, combining daily local life, historic architecture, and one of Bologna’s classic walking routes.
This covered market street preserves medieval character under porticoes and is ideal for a short walk between historic shops and central landmarks.
Fresh egg pasta ribbons served with slow-cooked ragù. It is Bologna’s signature pasta dish and traditionally differs from spaghetti bolognese found abroad.
Small ring-shaped stuffed pasta served in rich capon or beef broth. A festive classic closely tied to Bolognese family cooking and winter meals.
Green pasta sheets layered with ragù, béchamel and Parmigiano Reggiano. This baked dish is a traditional Sunday and holiday favourite in Bologna.
Historic osteria known for classic Bolognese pasta and traditional meat dishes in a warm, old-world dining room near the city centre.
Refined restaurant serving contemporary Italian cuisine in elegant rooms inside Palazzo Fava, suited to a special-occasion meal.
Long-standing trattoria popular for tortellini, tagliatelle al ragù and other local staples in a simple, bustling setting.
Moderate for Italy: lodging is mid-priced, meals are reasonable, and local buses are cheap, though central hotel rates rise in peak season and during major fairs.
Tipping is modest. Service may be included; round up or leave €1-2 in cafés, 5-10% for very good restaurant service, and round up taxi fares.
Official public transport app
Bologna Centrale -> Piazza Maggiore, Bologna
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Palermo to Bologna by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Bologna, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Palermo to Bologna trains use the Palermo Centrale to Bologna Centrale station pair, with some services arriving at Bologna, Aeroporto. Use this guide to compare Palermo and Bologna train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Bologna Centrale is 1 km from Bologna city centre. Public transport options include:
Bologna Centrale has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Burger King, A Cafè, VyTA Boulangerie, Venchi, Scambio, Juice Bar, KFC, Dispensa Emilia, Lavazza, Mokà, & more
Free Wi-Fi. . ATMs are aTM is located in the main hall.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 21:00. Information desks are customer service center is on the ground floor and open every day from 06:30 to 23:00.
Luggage storage is luggage facility, open daily from 07:00 to 22:00, is located in front of binario 7 Ovest (Track 7 West).
Available at Bologna Centrale: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bologna Centrale: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bologna Centrale: Accessible facilities including barrier-free restrooms, elevators and ramps. Sala Blu mobility assistance available from 07:45 to 22:30 with advanced one-hour notice.
Nearby hotels include Starhotels Excelsior, Millenn Hotel Bologna, UNA Hotels.
Bologna, Aeroporto is 5 km from Bologna city centre. Public transport options include:
Bologna, Aeroporto has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Multiple options on site
Free wifi throughout the station. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Bologna, Aeroporto.
Available at Bologna, Aeroporto: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bologna, Aeroporto: Fully accessible for disabled individuals.
Bologna Borgo Panigale is 4 km from Bologna city centre. Public transport options include:
Bologna Borgo Panigale has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Ristorante Il Patio, Trattoria Bonora
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Bologna Borgo Panigale. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Available at Bologna Borgo Panigale: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bologna Borgo Panigale: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bologna Borgo Panigale: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Flyon Hotel, Hotel Bologna Airport, Hotel Del Borgo.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need