There are 10 ways to get from Zürich to Bologna by train, bus and ferry, bus, car or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Train • 5h 7m
88€ - 194€
Cheapest option
Bus • 7h 10m
25€ - 30€
8 alternative options
Train via Bologna Centrale • 5h 45m
91€ - 179€
Bus and ferry • 6h 35m
30€ - 45€
Bus via Casalecchio Casa Conoscenza • 9h 24m
Drive • 5h 13m
60€ - 95€
Fly to Bologna • 5h 40m
84€ - 264€
Fly to Florence, train • 4h 43m
51€ - 545€
Fly to Venice, train • 5h 28m
74€ - 357€
Fly to Milan Malpensa, bus, train • 5h 9m
87€ - 358€
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Official Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for SwitzerlandQuestions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Zürich to Bologna is to bus which costs SFr 27 - SFr 35 and takes 7h 10m.
The quickest way to get from Zürich to Bologna is to fly and train which costs SFr 55 - SFr 600 and takes 4h 43m.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Zurich and arriving at Bologna. Services depart twice a week, and operate Tuesday and Saturday. The journey takes approximately 6h 35m.
No, there is no direct train from Zürich to Bologna. However, there are services departing from Zuerich Hb and arriving at Bologna Centrale via Milano Centrale. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 5h 7m.
The distance between Zürich and Bologna is 385 km. The road distance is 502.6 km.
The best way to get from Zürich to Bologna without a car is to train which takes 5h 7m and costs SFr 90 - SFr 210.
It takes approximately 5h 7m to get from Zürich to Bologna, including transfers.
Zürich to Bologna bus services, operated by FlixBus, depart from Zurich station.
Zürich to Bologna train services, operated by Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS), depart from Zuerich Hb station.
The best way to get from Zürich to Bologna is to train which takes 5h 7m and costs SFr 90 - SFr 210. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs SFr 27 - SFr 35 and takes 7h 10m, you could also fly, which costs SFr 90 - SFr 290 and takes 5h 40m.
- Distance: 385.4 km
- Duration: 5h 7m
What companies run services between Zürich, Switzerland and Bologna, Italy?
You can take a train from Zürich to Bologna via Milano Centrale in around 5h 7m. Alternatively, Eurolines CH operates a vehicle from Zurich to Bologna twice a week. Tickets cost 30€ - 45€ and the journey takes 6h 35m.
- Website
- swiss.com
Flights from Zurich to Florence
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 13m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- 90€ - 270€
Flights from Zurich to Venice
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- 85€ - 430€
Flights from Zurich to Milan Malpensa
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- 80€ - 290€
- Website
- lufthansa.com
Flights from Zurich to Bologna via Frankfurt
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 55m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- 220€ - 310€
Flights from Zurich to Bologna via Munich
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 130€ - 450€
Flights from Zurich to Florence via Munich
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- 160€ - 650€
Flights from Zurich to Venice via Munich
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 52m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 130€ - 420€
- Website
- klm.com
Flights from Zurich to Bologna via Amsterdam Schiphol
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 1m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 120€ - 550€
- Website
- alitalia.com
Flights from Zurich to Bologna via Rome
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 80€ - 260€
- Website
- austrian.com
Flights from Zurich to Bologna via Vienna
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 52m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- 200€ - 350€
- Website
- eurowings.com
Flights from Zurich to Bologna via Dusseldorf
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 40m
- When
- Monday
- Estimated price
- 75€ - 290€
Flights from Zurich to Bologna via Cologne Bonn
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 35m
- When
- Wednesday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- 75€ - 280€
- Website
- iberia.com
Flights from Zurich to Bologna via Barcelona
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 30m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- 75€ - 340€
Flights from Zurich to Bologna via Madrid
- Ave. Duration
- 7h
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- 95€ - 230€
- Website
- vueling.com
Flights from Zurich to Bologna via Barcelona
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 30m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- 75€ - 340€
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Zurich to Bologna via Athens
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 5m
- When
- Monday, Friday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- 130€ - 650€
The national railway company of Switzerland, Swiss Railways operates trains throughout the country and adjacent European nations including Germany, France, Italy and Austria. Tickets are sold in two classes - First and Second - with most long-distance trains offering a bistro car serving beverages and snacks. Individual tickets can be bought easily at stands, while a variety of travel passes are on offer to suit different travel needs.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +41 51 220 11 11
- Website
- sbb.ch
Train from Zuerich Hb to Milano Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- 70€ - 130€
- Website
- Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS)
Trenitalia’s high-speed Frecce trains run on specialised tracks and have a greater level of service and comfort than InterCity and regional trains. There are three types of Frecce trains: Frecciarossa, (the fastest; connects major Italian cities); Frecciargento (mostly connect Rome to other Italian cities); and Frecciabianca (the slowest Frecce trains). Frecciarossa trains offer four classes of service, all with free Wi-Fi: Standard, Premium, Business and Executive. All Frecce tickets include a seat reservation and must be purchased before boarding the train.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +39 06 68475475
- Website
- trenitalia.com
Train from Milano Centrale to Bologna Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 12m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- 18€ - 65€
- Website
- Trenitalia Frecce
- Super Economy
- 18€ - 25€
- Base Standard
- 35€ - 50€
- Base Premium
- 45€ - 65€
Train from Firenze S.M.N. to Bologna Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 40 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- 11€ - 45€
- Website
- Trenitalia Frecce
- Super Economy
- 11€ - 15€
- Base Standard
- 25€ - 35€
- Base Premium
- 30€ - 45€
Train from Venezia Mestre to Bologna Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 19m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- 14€ - 55€
- Website
- Trenitalia Frecce
- Super Economy
- 14€ - 20€
- Base Standard
- 30€ - 45€
- Base Premium
- 35€ - 55€
Trenitalia’s Intercity (IC) trains are slower than the high-speed Frecce trains but are still a good way to travel between major cities and towns, with routes including Rome to Naples, Venice to Bologna and Milan to Genoa. Tickets usually open for booking 90 days ahead of travel, and you’ll need make a seat reservation before boarding. All IC trains have 1st and 2nd class carriages as well as a bar buffet car, air conditioning and power sockets. InterCity trains that run at night are called InterCity Notte (ICN).
Contact Details
- Phone
- +39 06 68475475
- Website
- trenitalia.com
Train from Milano Centrale to Bologna Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 26m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- 14€ - 20€
- Website
- Trenitalia Intercity
- 2nd Class
- 14€ - 20€
Train from Firenze S.M.N. to Bologna Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 21m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- 7€ - 10€
- Website
- Trenitalia Intercity
- 2nd Class
- 7€ - 10€
Train from Venezia Mestre to Bologna Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- 10€ - 15€
- Website
- Trenitalia Intercity
- 2nd Class
- 10€ - 15€
The primary train operator in Italy, Trenitalia was created in the year 2000. Trenitalia offers national rail connections in Italy as well as international connections to Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland. The company operates regional and long-distance trains, as well as high-speed trains called Frecce that travel on specialised tracks on speeds of up to 360km/h. Trenitalia tickets are available online, in stations across the country or from many travel agents that offer bookings.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +39 06 68475475
- Website
- trenitalia.com
Train from Milano Centrale to Bologna Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 54m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- 14€ - 29€
- Website
- Trenitalia
- 1st Class
- 26€ - 29€
Train from Firenze S.M.N. to Bologna Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 27m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- 6€ - 14€
- Website
- Trenitalia
- 1st Class
- 12€ - 14€
Train from Venezia Mestre to Bologna Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 53m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- 10€ - 21€
- Website
- Trenitalia
- 1st Class
- 19€ - 21€
Private train company Italotreno operates high-speed trains in Italy on the same tracks as Trenitalia. The routes service 21 stations across the country, including popular routes Milan-Florence, Rome-Venice and Bologna-Naples. Choose from four classes of service, all with free Wi-Fi: Smart, Comfort, Prima and Club Executive. Italo also operates Italobus – an integrated train-bus service that takes passengers from the main train stations to other Italian cities.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +39 060708
- Website
- italotreno.it
Train from Milano Centrale to Bologna Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- 17€ - 50€
- Website
- Italo Treno
- Smart Economy
- 19€ - 27€
- Smart Low Cost
- 17€ - 24€
- Smart Flex
- 35€ - 50€
Train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Bologna Centrale Station
- Ave. Duration
- 40 min
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- 12€ - 40€
- Website
- Italo Treno
- Smart Economy
- 14€ - 20€
- Smart Low Cost
- 12€ - 17€
- Smart Flex
- 26€ - 40€
- Phone
- 0041 (0) 844 257 224
- Website
- eurolines.ch
Bus and ferry from Zurich to Bologna
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 35m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- 30€ - 45€
- Book at
- eurolines.ch
One of Europe’s leading bus companies, Flixbus serves 2000+ destinations in 29 countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands and Croatia and into Scandinavia and eastern Europe, as well as some US cities. Coaches have toilets, free WiFi and power outlets, plus snacks and drinks for purchase on board. Flixbus is a good choice for the budget-conscious traveller; purchase tickets in advance for the cheapest fares (note: there is no option to reserve a seat in advance).
Rome2rio's guide to FlixBus
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 1807 123 99 123
- info@flixbus.de
- Website
- flixbus.de
Bus from Zurich to Bologna, Bologna
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 10m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- 25€ - 30€
- Website
- flixbus.co.uk
- Phone
- +39 0963 313116
- info@viaggiaurora.it
- Website
- viaggiaurora.it
Bus from Zurich Central Bus Station Sihlquai to Casalecchio Garibaldi
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 50m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Website
- L'Aurora Viaggi
- customerservices@terravision.eu
- Website
- terravision.eu
Bus from Milan Malpensa Airport Terminal 1 to Milan Centrale Via Giovanni Battista Sammartini
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- 8€
- Schedules at
- terravision.eu
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- Phone
- +39 02 3008 9000
- info@autostradale.it
- Website
- autostradale.it
Bus from Milan Malpensa Airport Terminal 1 to Milan Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- 7€ - 10€
- Website
- Autostradale
- Website
- Autostradale
Want to know more about travelling around Italy
Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
There is no direct flight from Zurich Airport to Bologna Airport. The quickest flight takes 3h 5m and has one stopover.
Zürich to Bologna bus services, operated by FlixBus, arrive at Bologna, Bologna station.
Zürich to Bologna train services, operated by Trenitalia Frecce, arrive at Bologna Centrale station.
Yes, the driving distance between Zürich to Bologna is 503 km. It takes approximately 5h 13m to drive from Zürich to Bologna.
Swiss, Aegean Airlines, Air Dolomiti and seven other airlines offer flights from Zurich Airport to Bologna Airport.
Book your Zürich to Bologna train tickets online with Omio and Omio.
Book your Zürich to Bologna bus tickets online with FlixBus.
There are 1553+ hotels available in Bologna. Prices start at 87€ per night.
The best way to get from Zürich to Zurich Airport is to train which takes 13 min and costs SFr 3 - SFr 20.