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Bologna to Venice Bus from €5, Train from €12

5 suppliers · ~39 connections/day · cheapest 4.99 · updated 6h ago

The cheapest way from Bologna to Venice is by bus (from €5). Trains are faster (from €12) and run multiple times daily via Trenitalia and Italo. For the best prices on either, book at least 2 weeks in advance.

TransportSupplierFromDuration
🚌BusFlixBus(stale)Daily4.992h 15m
Itabus(stale)Daily4.99
Marino Bus(stale)Daily34.006h 20m
🚆TrainItalo(stale)Daily11.961h 21m
TrenitaliaDaily14.652h 10m

Click a transport type to see all departures

FlixBus

Daily
from 4.99
PriceDepartsArrivesDuration
4.9922:2500:402h 15m
4.9920:3522:201h 45m
4.9914:4516:552h 10m
4.9920:3522:201h 45m
4.9922:2500:402h 15m
4.9920:3522:201h 45m
4.9920:3522:201h 45m
4.9920:3522:201h 45m

Itabus

Daily
from 4.99
PriceDepartsArrivesDuration
4.9903:13
4.9903:16
4.9903:17
4.9918:03
4.9903:16
4.9903:25
4.9903:25
4.9906:05

Marino Bus

Daily
from 34.00
PriceDepartsArrivesDuration
34.0021:4004:006h 20m
36.0021:4004:006h 20m
36.0021:4004:006h 20m
36.0021:4004:006h 20m
36.0021:4004:006h 20m
36.0021:4004:006h 20m
36.0021:4004:006h 20m
36.0021:4004:006h 20m

Italo

Daily
from 11.96
PriceDepartsArrivesDuration
11.9618:2119:421h 21m
11.9608:2109:421h 21m
11.9620:2121:421h 21m
11.9613:2114:421h 21m
11.9615:2116:421h 21m
11.9611:2112:421h 21m
11.9612:2113:421h 21m
11.9613:2114:421h 21m

Trenitalia

Daily
from 14.65
PriceDepartsArrivesDuration
14.6511:1013:202h 10m
14.6506:1008:202h 10m
14.6507:1009:202h 10m
14.6508:1010:202h 10m
14.6509:1011:202h 10m
14.6510:1012:202h 10m
14.6511:1013:202h 10m
14.6510:1012:202h 10m

Bologna to Venice is a popular day-trip route — 150 km through the Po Valley, with high-speed trains making it in under 1h 30m from €9. It's one of Italy's best-value rail journeys: a round trip for under €30 is easily achievable with advance booking. This page shows live fares for trains and buses.

Bologna to Venice: options compared

High-speed trainRegional trainBus
Journey time1h 20m – 1h 35m2h – 2h 30m2h 30m – 3h
Cheapest pricefrom €9from €5from €8
OperatorsTrenitalia (Frecce), ItaloTrenitalia (IC, regional)FlixBus
DepartureBologna CentraleBologna CentraleBologna Autostazione
Arrival (Venice)Venezia Santa LuciaVenezia Santa LuciaVenezia Mestre
Best forSpeed, day tripsFlexibility, budgetCheapest option

Train from Bologna to Venice

from €51h 20m – 2h 30m~20 trains/day

Frecciarossa and Italo high-speed trains cover the route in 1h 20m–1h 35m and are by far the most popular option. Super Economy fares from €9 make these trains excellent value, especially for day trips. Regional Intercity trains take 2 hours but don't require advance booking and have flat fares — good if your plans are flexible.

All trains arrive at Venezia Santa Lucia — Venice's main island station, right on the Grand Canal. This is the best arrival point for the city: step off the train and you're in Venice, with vaporetto stop directly outside.

Day-trip tip: Depart Bologna 08:00–09:00 and return 17:00–20:00 for the most time in Venice. Both trains and the city are busy in this window in summer — book your return train in advance.

Venice: getting around after arrival

From Venezia Santa Lucia, the ACTV vaporetto water buses connect the entire city. Line 1 runs the length of the Grand Canal (50 minutes end-to-end, stopping at every major point including Rialto, San Marco, and the Accademia). Line 2 runs the same route but faster with fewer stops.

Vaporetto tickets

  • Single journey: €9.50 (75 min validity)
  • 24-hour pass: €25
  • 48-hour pass: €35
  • 72-hour pass: €45

Walking

Central Venice (Santa Lucia to San Marco) takes 25–35 min on foot via the Rialto. Many travelers prefer walking to avoid the vaporetto crowds.

Booking tips

  1. For day trips, book both outward and return trains in the same session — Carnival (February), Easter, and summer weekends sell out weeks in advance
  2. Venice entry fee (Contributo d'Accesso): €5 per day for day visitors on busy dates. Check the city's official website — the fee applies on specific high-traffic dates
  3. Arrive before 09:00 or after 17:00 if possible — Venice at midday in summer is extremely crowded around San Marco and the Rialto
  4. Regional trains (no reservation) are a good fallback if Frecciarossa Super Economy is sold out — they cost €5–15 and have the same destination (Santa Lucia)
  5. Bologna's old town is a great half-day alternative to Venice for travelers who want fewer crowds — Piazza Maggiore, the Basilica di San Petronio, and the porticoed streets are UNESCO listed
MR

Written by

Marco Rossi

Travel writer based in Florence, Italy. Has covered Italian transport routes for independent travelers since 2015. Updated June 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What transport options are available from Bologna to Venice?

You can travel from Bologna to Venice by bus and train. Prices start from €4. Compare all fares on this page — results are updated daily from live booking systems.

How much does it cost to travel from Bologna to Venice?

Travel from Bologna to Venice starts from €4 by bus or €11 by train. Train prices can reach €14 for last-minute bookings, so book in advance for the best deals on this route.

What is the cheapest way to travel from Bologna to Venice?

The cheapest option is bus, with fares starting from €4 (Itabus, Flixbus, Marinobus). Trains start from €11 (Trenitalia, Italo) and are much faster. For the lowest prices on either mode, book as early as possible.

Is it worth taking the train from Bologna to Venice?

Yes — the train is a convenient option between Bologna and Venice, offered by Trenitalia, Italo from €11. Trains in Italy are punctual and city-centre to city-centre, avoiding airport transfers.

Should I book tickets from Bologna to Venice in advance?

Yes — booking early is the best way to get cheap tickets from Bologna to Venice. Prices typically start from €4 when booked weeks ahead and rise significantly for last-minute purchases. For travel during peak season (June–August) or public holidays, book at least 2–3 weeks in advance.

What is the best time to travel from Bologna to Venice?

Travel from Bologna to Venice is most convenient on weekday mornings (6–9am) and early afternoons, when services are most frequent. Avoid Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons when trains and buses are busiest. Shoulder season (April–May and September–October) offers lower prices and fewer crowds.

Can I bring luggage on the trains from Bologna to Venice?

Yes, Trenitalia and Italo trains allow standard luggage free of charge. Trains permit 2 standard bags in overhead racks — no strict weight limit but large items should go in the luggage area. FlixBus and other coaches include one checked bag in the hold. Private transfers accommodate any amount of luggage — confirm with the operator when booking.

Is there a direct train from Bologna to Venice?

Yes, direct trains run between Bologna and Venice with Trenitalia, Italo. No changes are required on this route. Tickets can be purchased on the operator's website or compared on this page to find the lowest available fare.

How do I book transport from Bologna to Venice?

Compare all options on this page — prices are pulled live from operators' systems. Click any price to go directly to the operator's booking page. Payment is made on the operator's site (Trenitalia, Italo, FlixBus, etc.) — ItalyFare charges no booking fees. You can also book at the station on the day, but prices are usually higher without advance purchase.

Are there discounts for the Bologna to Venice route?

Yes — several discounts apply on Bologna to Venice services. Children under 4 travel free on most trains; ages 4–11 get up to 50% off. Trenitalia and Italo offer youth (under 26) and senior (over 60) discount cards. Booking well in advance usually gives the biggest saving regardless of age.

Onboard amenities

OperatorWiFiPowerLuggageQuiet zone
FlixBus1×23 kg + carry-on
Itabus1×25 kg + carry-on
Marino BusSome routesSome routes1 bag + carry-on
ItaloNo limit, overhead rackSmart class
TrenitaliaFrecciarossaFrecciarossa/FrecciargentoNo limit, overhead rackFrecciarossa

Best day to travel from Bologna to Venice

Cheapest day: Sunday (from €5)

Sun
5
Best
Mon
5
Best
Tue
5
Best
Wed
5
Best
Thu
5
Best
Fri
5
Best
Sat
5
Best

Based on 1,761 offers. Prices vary — book in advance for the cheapest fare.

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