Accomodation and Travelling

How to reach Bologna 

By plane

Bologna's closest airport is the international airport Guglielmo Marconi , very close (~8 km) to the city center. 
The airport is served by taxi and a shuttle line called the Marconi Express. 

By train

Two railways companies (Trenitalia, Italo) offer frequent connections to Roma, Florence, Milan, Venice and many other towns in northern and central Italy. There is also an overnight sleeper service from Paris Bercy to Bologna and two direct train connections to Munich per day.
From the railway station to the city center you can either walk (10-15 minutes) or take the bus (11, 36, 37, C, D ...).

By car

The city is at the junction of the A1, A14 and A13 highways, and so is easily accessible from anywhere in Italy.  

Getting around 

The city bus network is run by TPER. Tickets are valid for 75 minutes and they may be purchased prior to boarding the bus, or on the bus where there are ticket machines. You can also purchase a 10-tickets City Pass (only prior to boarding), to save a little. You might also want to download the app WeBus to get live bus travel times. 

Bikes are most popular amongst the people of Bologna. They are available for hire from various locations around the city (one near the railway station). You can ride on the many bike trails and on the side of the road. Be sure to lock them safely with a good lock, as they get stolen all around town, especially around the university. In Bologna is also active a bike-sharing service (mobike).

Taxi Company

Cotabo Telephone: +39 051 372727 Company: Cat Telephone: +39 051 4590

Money

The currency used in Italy is the Euro (€). There are foreign exchange facilities at the railway station, which is open from 8 AM to 7 PM (Monday to Saturday). However, you are advised to bring Euros with you. Bologna is well serviced with bank ATMs and card payments are accepted almost everywhere. Bank opening hours are generally from 8,30 AM to 1 PM (Monday – Friday). Value added tax is 22%. Travellers from outside the EU can reclaim tax on purchases over €155, when bought from shops displaying the sign tax free for tourists.

Electricity

The electricity is 230 V, 50 Hz and uses two and three round pin plug types - F (Schuko) and L. You can use your electric appliances in Italy, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 - 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa). If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100 V - 127 V (as is in the US, Canada and most South American countries), you need a voltage converter in Italy. You can also consider a combined power plug adapter/voltage converter.

International Dialling

The international country code for Italy is: +39.

Emergency Services

The emergency services telephone number is: 112.

Weather

The weather in Bologna in September is usually warm and sunny with an average temperature of 25°C. Occasionally it can become quite hot with temperatures reaching 30°C during the day.

Pharmacy

Pharmacies generally close for lunch and typical opening hours are: 9 AM-12,30 PM and 3 PM-7 PM. There are pharmacies open at night and on weekends for emergencies.

Shopping

The four main shopping streets in Bologna are: Via dell’Indipendenza, Via Ugo Bassi, Via Rizzoli and Via D’Azeglio, which all lead off Piazza Maggiore. All the big name Italian designers can be found here. Generally, shops close for lunch and on Sundays. Opening hours are typically from 9 AM-1 PM and 3 PM-7,30 PM (Monday – Saturday).

Main Attractions

The main attractions in Bologna are: Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno, situated in the very centre of the city; Basilica of St. Petronius, situated in Piazza Maggiore; St. Stephen Basilica, situated in Piazza Santo Stefano; the Leaning Towers (Torre Garisenda and Torre degli Asinelli), situated in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana; and San Luca Sanctuary, connected to the city by a 3.8 kilometers covered arcade from Porta Saragozza. The city of Bologna is also famous for the “Portici”, the arcades that line so many of its streets, that you can see while you take a walk in the centre of the city.

Possible accomodations: