Guglielmo Marconi Airport of Bologna is one of Italy's primary airports, strategically located in the heart of the Food Valley and the Motor Valley. Thanks to its central position, it serves as a fundamental hub for the entire Centre-North, connecting Emilia-Romagna with major European capitals and numerous intercontinental routes.
Characterised by consistent growth and an offering that celebrates local gastronomic excellence, the airport is the privileged gateway for those wishing to explore Emilian art cities or reach world-class industrial districts located nearby.
How to get to Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to BLQ
Parking near Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport
The airport offers various official parking areas: P1 and P2 (covered and close to the terminal), P3 (uncovered) and P4 for long stays with free shuttle service.
There is also P Express parking for very short stays, located right in front of the arrivals and departures area.
For very short-term parking, P Express costs a few euros for the first 15-30 minutes; covered P1 and P2 follow tiered rates: €5 up to 1 hour, €10 up to 2 hours, €17 up to 24 hours; the P4 long-stay parking with free shuttle drops significantly for stays of several days when booked online in advance: the main difference is the walking distance from the terminal, offset by shuttle service.
How to get to Bologna from BLQ
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
From BLQ to the most sought-after destinations
| If you want... | Choose | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Reach the city center as quickly as possible | Marconi Express (7 minutes) | 12.80€ |
| Spend less | Urban bus line (Aerobus) | ~6€ |
| Continue to Modena or Ferrara | Marconi Express + train from Bologna Central | 12.80€ + variable regional fare |
Bologna → Historic center
The Marconi Express is unbeatable for speed: 7 minutes to Bologna Central, from which the center is reachable on foot.
Bologna → Modena / Motor Valley
From Bologna Central station, frequent regional trains reach Modena in 20-25 minutes, the starting point for the Motor Valley.
Car rental at Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport
Car rental desks are located on the ground floor of the terminal in the dedicated Arrivals area. Hertz, Avis, Europcar and Sicily by Car are present.
Operating hours generally follow those of arriving flights. At pickup bring driver's license, identification document and credit card in the driver's name, and photograph any pre-existing scratches before leaving. Italian citizens and those from other EU/EEA countries drive with their national license alone; for all others an International Driving Permit (IDP) is generally required as well.
Hotels near Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport
Zola Predosa
About 10 minutes by car or taxi from the terminals; the SHG Hotel also offers its own shuttle on request, available 24 hours (for a fee).
Best for: For those arriving or leaving by car, or with a dawn flight who don't want to depend on the centre's public transport.
- SHG Hotel's own shuttle available 24 hours on request, convenient for dawn flights
- Quiet hilly area, useful for those arriving late by car and not looking for nightlife
- Residential area: dinner is at the hotel in the evening, few venues nearby
- Without a car you depend on local buses or taxis for the centre and the airport
Recommended hotels
- SHG Hotel Bologna 108 renovated rooms in Zola Predosa, with its own shuttle to the airport available 24 hours on request, useful for dawn or night flights. View availability
- Agriturismo Borgo delle Vigne Family-run agriturismo on the hills of Zola Predosa, with its own restaurant and wines for those arriving by car who want to dine on site. View availability
Castel San Pietro Terme (Bologna hills)
About 30 km from the airport, 35-40 minutes by car; there are no direct public transport links, you need your own car or a private transfer.
Best for: For those who want to turn a flight into a relaxing break among spas and hills, with their own transport and time to spare.
- Access to the pools and spa of the Palazzo di Varignana resort, as well as the private villa
- Bologna hills all around, away from the city's traffic and noise
- You need a car: without your own transport the transfer requires a paid private transfer
- Not designed for those with a short layover or leaving the same day
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The airport operates with a single passenger terminal divided on two levels. Internal transfers are rapid and well signposted.
Although it is a single terminal on two levels, yellow signage for Departures and blue signage for Arrivals help you navigate quickly; vertical connections (escalators and elevators) are well distributed throughout the route.
From check-in to the farthest gate you generally walk 8-12 minutes, thanks to well-distributed vertical connections. Security control queues generally remain short except during morning rush hours.
Served by a wide range of major and low-cost airlines, with connections to numerous European cities and some seasonal intercontinental routes.
Map of Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. How much does the Marconi Express from Bologna Centrale station cost?
Around 12.80 euros one-way (23.30 euros return) for a journey of just 7 minutes on the monorail — among the most expensive airport connections in Europe for the distance covered.
Q. Is the Marconi Express more convenient than the bus to Bologna Airport?
In terms of time, yes; the bus (line 944 and others) can be cheaper but with less predictable times in city traffic.
Q. Is it worth renting a car in Bologna for the Food Valley and Motor Valley?
Yes, many of Emilia-Romagna's food and motoring attractions (Modena, Maranello) are easier to reach by car than by public transport.
Q. Is Bologna a good airport for connections to the rest of Italy?
Yes, its central location makes it a convenient secondary hub for reaching both northern and central Italy.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
