There are 10 ways to get from Zürich to Bologna by train, 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
Train via Milan
-
Take the train from Zuerich Hb to Chiasso
-
Take the train from Chiasso to Milano Centrale
-
Take the train from Milano Centrale to Bologna Centrale
Train
-
Take the train from Zuerich Hb to Bologna Centrale
Bus, train
-
Take the bus from Zürich to Chiasso
-
Take the train from Chiasso to Milano Greco Pirelli
-
Take the train from Milano Greco Pirelli to Piacenza
-
Take the bus from Piacenza Central Train Station to Bologna Autostazione
Drive
-
Drive from Zürich to Bologna
Fly Zurich to Bologna
-
Fly from Zurich (ZRH) to Bologna (BLQ)
Fly Zurich to Florence, train
-
Fly from Zurich (ZRH) to Florence (FLR)
-
Take the train from Firenze S.M.N. to Bologna Centrale
Fly Zurich to Milan Malpensa, train
-
Fly from Zurich (ZRH) to Milan Malpensa (MXP)
-
Take the train from Malpensa Aeroporto T.1 to Milano Centrale
-
Take the train from Milano Centrale to Bologna Centrale
Fly Zurich to Venice, train
-
Fly from Zurich (ZRH) to Venice (VCE)
-
Take the train from Venezia Mestre to Bologna Centrale
Train, train to Munich, fly to Bologna
-
Take the train from Zuerich Hb to Muenchen Hbf Gl.27-36
-
Take the train from Hauptbahnhof to Flughafen München
-
Fly from Munich (MUC) to Bologna (BLQ)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Zürich to Bologna is to bus which costs SFr 25 - SFr 31 and takes 6h 40m.
The quickest way to get from Zürich to Bologna is to fly which costs SFr 75 - SFr 220 and takes 3h 35m.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Zurich Bus Station station and arriving at Bologna. Services depart three times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 40m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Zuerich Hb and arriving at Bologna Centrale. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 2m.
The distance between Zürich and Bologna is 385 km. The road distance is 494.4 km.
The best way to get from Zürich to Bologna without a car is to train via Milan which takes 4h 58m and costs SFr 85 - SFr 210.
It takes approximately 4h 58m to get from Zürich to Bologna, including transfers.
Zürich to Bologna bus services, operated by FlixBus, depart from Zurich Bus 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 via Milan which takes 4h 58m and costs SFr 85 - SFr 210. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs SFr 25 - SFr 31 and takes 6h 40m, you could also fly, which costs SFr 75 - SFr 220 and takes 3h 35m.
- Distance: 385.4 km
- Duration: 4h 58m
What companies run services between Zürich, Switzerland and Bologna, Italy?
You can take a train from Zürich to Bologna via Chiasso and Milano Centrale in around 4h 58m. Alternatively, FlixBus operates a bus from Zurich Bus Station to Bologna 3 times a day. Tickets cost €24 - €30 and the journey takes 6h 40m.
- Website
- swiss.com
Flights from Zurich to Bologna
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €100 - €290
Flights from Zurich to Florence
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 13m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €110 - €420
Flights from Zurich to Milan Malpensa
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €80 - €450
Flights from Zurich to Venice
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €120 - €490
- Website
- lufthansa.com
Flights from Zurich to Florence via Munich
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €210 - €750
Flights from Zurich to Venice via Munich
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 50m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €200 - €1900
Flights from Munich to Bologna
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €130 - €550
- Website
- airdolomiti.it
Flights from Munich to Bologna
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €130 - €550
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 Chiasso
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 22m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €60 - €120
- Website
- Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS)
Train from Chiasso to Milano Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 46 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €14 - €25
- Website
- Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS)
Train from Zuerich Hb to Bologna Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 2m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €130 - €240
- Website
- Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS)
Train from Zuerich Hb to Muenchen Hbf Gl.27-36
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 31m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- €95 - €180
- Website
- Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS)
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 Chiasso to Milano Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- €9 - €20
- Website
- Trenitalia Eurocity
- 2nd Class
- €9 - €13
- 1st Class
- €15 - €20
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 14m
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- 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
- 38 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- 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 21m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €14 - €55
- Website
- Trenitalia Frecce
- Super Economy
- €14 - €20
- Base Standard
- €30 - €45
- Base Premium
- €35 - €55
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 Station to Bologna Centrale Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 14m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- 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
- Ave. Duration
- 38 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €12 - €40
- Website
- Italo Treno
- Smart Economy
- €14 - €21
- Smart Low Cost
- €12 - €17
- Smart Flex
- €26 - €40
Train from Mestre to Bologna Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- €14 - €45
- Website
- Italo Treno
- Smart Economy
- €17 - €24
- Smart Low Cost
- €14 - €21
- Smart Flex
- €30 - €45
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
- 4 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 38m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €10 - €15
- Website
- Trenitalia Intercity
- 2nd Class
- €10 - €15
Trenord operates regional and suburban lines throughout Italy’s Lombardy region, including the Malapensa Express from Milan’s Malapensa Airport and local lines around Lake Como and the Italian Lakes. Trenord train tickets can be purchased from machines at any train station and don’t need to be booked in advance.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +39 02 7249 4494
- my-link@trenord.it
- Website
- trenord.it
Train from Chiasso to Milano Greco Pirelli
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- €4 - €6
- Website
- Trenord
Train from Milano Greco Pirelli to Piacenza
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 11m
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- €4 - €6
- Website
- Trenord
Train from Malpensa Aeroporto T.1 to Milano Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 54 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- €4 - €6
- Website
- Trenord
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 Firenze S.M.N. to Bologna Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 28m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €6 - €14
- Website
- Trenitalia
- 1st Class
- €12 - €14
Train from Venezia Mestre to Bologna Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 57m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €10 - €21
- Website
- Trenitalia
- 1st Class
- €19 - €21
Frequently asked questions
- Phone
- 02 72 49 49 49
- Website
- malpensaexpress.it
Train from Malpensa Aeroporto T.1 to Milano Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 54 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- €11 - €16
- Website
- Malpensa Express
- 2nd Class
- €11 - €16
Deutsche Bahn’s regional network is made up of IRE (Interregio-Express), RE (Regional-Express), RB (Regionalbahn) and S-Bahn trains. Ticket prices are fixed and there’s no seat reservations – just turn up, buy a ticket and jump on the next train. All regional trains depart regularly and connect to local and long-distance services.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 30 311682904
- Website
- bahn.com
Train from Hauptbahnhof to Flughafen München
- Ave. Duration
- 43 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- €7 - €11
- Website
- Deutsche Bahn Regional
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 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- flixbus.de
Bus from Zurich Bus Station to Bologna
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 40m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- €24 - €30
- Website
- flixbus.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
- Phone
- 0975 343195
- info@ventrebus.com
- Website
- ventrebus.com
Bus from Zürich to Chiasso
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- €16
- Schedules at
- ventrebus.com
- Phone
- +39 06 88 93 82 32
- Website
- itabus.it
Bus from Piacenza Central Train Station to Bologna Autostazione
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 21m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Website
- Itabus
- Phone
- 0984 401468
- info@consorzioautolinee.it
- Website
- consorzioautolinee.it
Bus from Piacenza Central Train Station to Bologna Piazza XX Settembre
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €20 - €35
- Schedules at
- consorzioautolinee.it
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.
Related travel guides
Italy Travel Guides
Travel inspiration and top planning tips for getting around Italy.
Read the travel guideHeading to Europe? Read this before you buy a Eurail Pass
We compare the different Eurail types and help you decide if a Eurail Pass is right for you
Read the travel guideWant to know more about Flixbus?
Rome2rio’s guide has all the details
Read the travel guide5 incredible day trips from Florence by train
Within 90 minutes, you could be exploring regions as stunning as Emilia-Romagna, Umbria and the Veneto.
Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
The quickest flight from Zurich Airport to Bologna Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 10m.
Zürich to Bologna bus services, operated by FlixBus, arrive at Bologna station.
Zürich to Bologna train services, operated by Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS), arrive at Bologna Centrale station.
Yes, the driving distance between Zürich to Bologna is 494 km. It takes approximately 5h 6m to drive from Zürich to Bologna.
Swiss offers flights from Zurich Airport to Bologna Airport.
Book your Zürich to Bologna train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Zürich to Bologna bus tickets online with FlixBus.
There are 290+ 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.