Venice to Bologna train with Regionale

Train Venice Bologna

Trains from Venice to Bologna are a popular choice for travelling between the cities and are sought out by many visitors and locals. These routes are operated by 2 different train companies, with several train types providing the service. The majority of the trips are direct routes but there are a couple a day with a single changeover along the way. The distance covered between the 2 cities is around 131 km (81 miles) and the average travel time is around 1h 45min, depending on the route. Some services run as quickly as 1h 20min, while others take well over 2 hours. The train from Venice to Bologna starts running around 5:25 a.m. every morning, including weekends, and usually stops between 10:25 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

Venice to Bologna Train Time: Daily Departures

Thanks to the popularity of the train to Bologna from Venice, multiple trips happen every day. These are operated by Italo or Trenitalia, with various train types providing the service. There are around 18 trains a day that Italo operates, starting around 7:05 a.m. and running until the last train departs around 5:15 p.m. Italo provides a high-speed train from Venice to Bologna that has an average travel time of around 1h 30min. If you're travelling with Trenitalia, you'll have many more daily options and several types of trains to choose from. There are high-speed, regional, intercity and long-distance services operating throughout the day. These start around 5:25 a.m. and end at 10:25 p.m. on weekdays, while the last train over the weekend usually leaves a little closer to 11:00 p.m. The easiest way to get to the daily schedule is to choose your departure and arrival points at the top of this page, then choose your travel dates and click on the Search button. You'll be directed to the results page with all of the consolidated information displayed and the ability to filter according to your needs.

Boarding your train Venice Bologna

Trains from Venice to Bologna depart from one of two stations, but the boarding process is the same at both. You'll need to arrive at least 30 minutes before your departure time and keep your mobile or printed ticket handy. You'll show your ticket when checking your luggage in and be directed to the waiting room. There are electronic display boards offering information on the arrival and departure trains and which platform they'll arrive at. Make sure you're aware of the platform your service leaves from and wait for the announcement. Services will be announced over a loudspeaker and on the display boards. Make sure you get on your train as soon as possible.

Venice: Famous Grand Canale and Rialto bridge. Source: Shutterstock

Where do trains from Venice to Bologna depart and arrive?

Trains from Venice to Bologna depart from 1 of 2 stations in Venice and arrive only at 1 station. The departure stations are Venice Mestre and Venice Santa Lucia. Venice Mestre is one of the major railway stations in the city and is located on the mainland, rather than in Venice itself, and it's home to various facilities and services, such as ticket machines, ticketing offices, shops, cafes, restaurants, accessible toilets and more. If you're staying in the city, it's best to book a train from Venice Santa Lucia. Santa Lucia is the major railway station in Venice and is by Grand Canal in the centre of the city. It's home to 23 platforms that serve various parts of the city and country and the station also offers gondolas, water taxis, and water buses that connect the station to the city and the mainland. Since it's located in the centre of the city, Santa Lucia is within walking distance of most major attractions, including Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco. The station has luggage storage facilities, ATMs, toilets and an open-plan food court with various eateries.

Bologna Centrale is the major railway station in the city and the arrival point for every train Venice - Bologna. It is one of the busiest stations in the country and a hub of transportation in the city, located a short distance away from the centre of the city, on the northern outskirts. Bologna Centrale is well-connected to the rest of the city via taxis and buses, and is home to various services and amenities, including fast food kiosks, cafes, restaurants, toilets, luggage services and others.

When is the best time to book your train ticket Venice Bologna?

If you're looking for the cheapest train from Venice to Bologna, it's usually the Intercity bus that departs twice a day. the first route starts around 9:35 a.m. and the second service departs around 3:35 p.m. Bologna tends to be more fun to visit over the weekend so consider booking tickets for Friday evening or early Saturday morning. If you want more options, the train schedule from Venice to Bologna offers more frequent services during the week. The connecting routes are usually the most expensive, so try and avoid those if you want the best price.

What to see between Venice and Bologna

Since most services between these destinations are direct routes, there won't be much opportunity to jump out and explore other parts of the country. You will, however, pass by a couple of places worth taking note of for the next time you're visiting the area. Shortly after leaving Santa Lucia, you'll catch a glimpse of the Pala Expo di Venezia and the Forte Marghera before leaving the city. Castello dei Da Peraga will be another site on your right as you head through Babato and just before you cross the Brenta River. Just before you reach Padua, you'll pass by the Fiera di Padova and head left through Padua and on towards Ferrara, home to the Palazzo dei Diamanti, Piazza Ariostea and the Palazzo Schifanoia. You'll be a stone's throw away from the Museo della Civilta Contadina just before you reach San Marco and head further down to Bologna.

Information on Bologna Centrale

Bologna Centrale is one of the busiest railway termini in Italy and is located on the northern outskirts of the city centre, a short distance away from ring road in the city. The majority of the services at Bologna Centrale are located on the ground floor, including bars, restaurants, cafes, bicycle rentals, and more. The station is also connected to the rest of the city through various bus lines that stop at the piazza just outside the main entrance to Bologna Centrale.

Night trains Venice Bologna

Night trains have become a popular choice with many travellers over the past few years because of the superior level of comfort, the option to sleep while travelling and the quieter atmosphere. There is one night train/sleeper train between these cities and is usually the last service of the evening. The Trenitalia Intercity Notte offers passengers the chance to get a little shut-eye en route to Bologna from Venice and has a travel time close to 2h 10min.

Trenitalia Venice to Bologna

Trenitalia is the main provider of trains between these cities and offers close to 40 services every day, including weekends. Trenitalia provides high-speed trains, intercity trains, regional services, long-distance operations, and the night train Venice - Bologna. The first service usually starts around 5:25 a.m., with the last option departing around 10:25 p.m. on weekdays and 11:00 p.m. on weekends. There are close to 280 services a week offered by Trenitalia

Italo Venice to Bologna

Italo is a popular provider in Italy and offers a fast train from Venice to Bologna at least 18 times a day. These routes have some of the quickest travel times, with the fastest one taking just over 1h 20min. The first departure is usually just after 7:00 a.m. each morning, and the last service leaves the station around 5:15 p.m. every day.

Trains from Venice to Bologna: Sustainability Travel

According to various climate experts, one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to choose sustainable travel options. Travelling by train between Venice and Bologna is one of the most eco-friendly ways to do it unless you're prepared to walk or bike the distance. Train travel can reduce your carbon emissions by almost 70% compared to planes, buses and cars, and also offer more efficient use of space so more people can travel on a single trip. Trains only contribute around 3% of global transport emissions.

Train Venice to Bologna: Services on Board

Trains from Venice to Bologna are operated by 2 companies, which provide similar services along the way.

• Trenitalia offers 4 ticket types that come with various perks, while Italo offers 3 ticket types. Trenitalia has Standard, Premium, Business and Executive tickets. Each level up gives you access to more comfortable seating than the last, as well as better food options. Standard ticket holders are the only passengers who pay for food. Italo has Standard, Prima and Club Executive tickets available. Standard and Prima passengers pay for their food, but Prima passengers have more comfortable seating and more leg room. Club Executive offers a premium experience with much more room and in-seat dining.
• There is no luggage restriction on Trenitalia trains but you must be able to carry your luggage yourself. Italo limits passengers to 2 large bags and a small carry-on bag that fits on your lap.
• Bicycle travel is possible on these routes but your foldable bike must fit in the luggage compartment. Non-foldable bicycles are subject to available space and must be booked ahead of time.
• Pet travel is possible with both companies but pets must be kept in carriers.
• Trenitalia and Italo are committed to providing accessible travel to all passengers. If you require assistance, contact the company a few days in advance to arrange the help you need.
• Seat reservation is possible on these routes.

When to book your train tickets from Venice to Bologna?

There are a couple of ways to ensure you get the best Venice to Bologna train price when booking. First, book as early as possible because prices tend to increase the closer you get to your date of departure. Secondly, search with flexible dates to pick up on different deals companies sometimes offer on different days. The high-speed trains and connecting trains are usually the most costly, so stick to regional services if you want to keep costs down. If you have a student card, take advantage of the discounts on offer.

To Bologna by train — travel tips

Although Bologna, the capital of the Emila-Romagna region in northern Italy, isn't as popular as many of the high-profile cities in the country like Venice, Rome or Florence, it is without a doubt a city worth visiting. Bologna is most well-known for its culinary exploits and is dubbed "le grassa", or "the fat" by the locals. This is a nod to the incredible food on the island, centred around tasty, fresh ingredients with international influence. Another massive draw of Bologna is the beautiful churches found throughout the city, many dating back hundreds of years. Whether you're looking for a touch of art, a glimpse into the history of the city, a bustling nightlife, or simply a part of the country to whet your appetite in, Bologna has it all. Check out the Bologna Window Seat piece on tips and things to do in the city, which includes:

• Piazza Maggiore
• San Petronio
• The leaning towers of Bologna
• Archiginnasio
• La Piazzola Market
• Bologna National Gallery
• Torre Prendiparte
• Monte della Guardia

Bologna: Aerial view of the city during the morning. Source: Shutterstock

What are the other cities you can go to from Bologna?

Since Bologna is a popular tourist attraction and home to one of the busiest railways in the country, it's no wonder the city is well-connected to other major cities. One of the most well-travelled routes from the city is a train to Rome that takes around 5h 40min and runs multiple times a day. Parma is another sought-after destination from bologna and there are Trenitalia services running throughout the day and only takes around an hour. If you'd like to check out the fashion and design capital of the world, a train to Milan will get you there in around 3h 30min.