Emilia Romagna is Italy's gastronomic heartland, stretching from the Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic Sea. Known as the 'Food Valley' for producing Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and balsamic vinegar, the region also boasts medieval cities, Ferrari's birthplace, and vibrant beach resorts.
- Public
- Excellent train network connecting all major cities; buses fill the gaps to smaller towns
- Taxi
- Available in all cities, reasonable rates; itTaxi app recommended
- Rental
- Recommended for Apennine hills, countryside wineries, producer visits, and smaller towns not on rail
- Walking
- City centers are very walkable; Bologna's porticoes make walking pleasant in all weather year-round
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- €20-25, 15-20 min to Bologna center
- Taxi Info
- Official taxis queue outside arrivals; fixed fare to center; avoid unofficial drivers
- Shuttle
- €6, Aerobus shuttle service
- Shuttle Info
- Runs every 15-30 min to Bologna Centrale station; takes 25 min; buy tickets at machine or online
- Bus
- €1.50-6, local bus routes
- Bus Info
- Route 35 from BLQ airport to city; frequent service every 15-20 min
- Private
- €40-60, pre-booked car service
- Private Info
- Book online through hotel or licensed transfer operator; meet-and-greet at arrivals
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
TPER buses in Bologna and Ferrara, SETA in Modena/Reggio Emilia, START Romagna on the coast; €1.50 per ride, €5 day pass; validate on board
Alternatives
BiciBO electric bike sharing in Bologna (€1/30 min); extensive bike rental in Ferrara (€10/day at station); Rimini has bike paths along the seafront
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- €3.50 base fare + €1.10/km (Bologna); slightly lower in smaller cities
- Apps
- itTaxi, Uber
- App Names
- itTaxi, Uber
- Typical Fare
- €8-15 for average city ride; €20-25 from Bologna airport to center
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Flixbus and Baltour long-distance buses from €5; useful for Adriatic coast towns not on rail
Shared
BlaBlaCar popular for longer routes from €5-15
Flights
Domestic connections via BLQ airport from €30 to other Italian cities
Private
Private car hire from €60/day plus driver from €100/half day
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Emilia Romagna has excellent transport infrastructure with Bologna as the main hub. High-speed trains connect Bologna to other Italian cities, while regional trains link all provincial capitals. The Via Emilia (SS9) road axis connects cities along the ancient Roman route.
Airports
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport
Federico Fellini International Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Trenitalia
Book national and regional train tickets; check real-time delays
Italo
Alternative high-speed train operator for Bologna-Milan and Bologna-Rome routes
itTaxi
Official taxi booking app for all Italian cities including Bologna, Parma, Modena
BlaBlaCar
Budget ridesharing for intercity travel; good for routes not served by train
Google Maps
Best for real-time bus and train routing throughout the region; very accurate
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Always validate train/bus tickets before boarding or face fines of €50+ from inspectors
Book Frecciarossa high-speed tickets in advance online (trenitalia.com) for best prices
Bologna Centrale station is the regional hub—use it as your base for day trips
Avoid driving into ZTL restricted zones in Bologna, Modena, Parma, Ferrara—automatic cameras issue fines
The Via Emilia (SS9) is a scenic alternative to the motorway, passing through all major Food Valley cities
Ferrara is Italy's most bicycle-friendly city—rent a bike at the station for €10/day
Rimini's beach strip is flat and bikeable—bike rental from €8/day at any stabilimento