Despite Padova being comparative close to Bologna, there are multiple options to consider when taking the train on this route; despite the fact all of the trains travel along the same 'classic' railway line between these two cities.
The variances in speed are due to the number of intermediate station calls made by each group of services.
If you're going to be booking tickets last minute at the station, the the typically best option is to hop on board the Regionale Veloce (RGV) trains.
They'll be (much) cheaper and the lack of the availability of seat reservations won't be a problem, as they commence their journeys in Bologna.
If you can book ahead and won't being committed to a specific departure, you can travel in style on the Frecce or Italo trains despite the lack of a high speed line on this route.
The cheapest advance tickets can be good value for money, though the Italo trains tend to be cheaper than Frecce trains.
When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.
1hr 25 min (approx)
Daily
1 x train per hour
Trenitlalia is the national rail operator in Italy and in addition to its cheaper types of ticket; it also typically offers other discounts available to non-Italians, which include:
If you want to make a spontaneous day trip by train from Bologna to Padua/Padova then taking these trains is the best option.
They'll be at least €7 cheaper than the alternative services and the journey time isn't much slower.
These Regionale Veloce (RV) trains also commence their journeys in Bologna, so despite reservations not being available, finding spare seats won't be a problem.
This is a scenically uninteresting journey across flat farm land, so having with you to watch or read is recommended.
Book early and save: No
Tickets will cost the same price if purchased at the station immediately before departure.
So if you will be buying tickets at the station just before departure these Regionale Veloce (RGV/RV) trains will be around 50% of the price of the faster Frecce and Italo trains.
However, if you can book at least a couple of days ahead and the departure times of the afternoon/evening Frecciabianca trains suit, they can be cheaper; and you will have a complimentary seat reservation on those trains
Rail pass users can take these trains and avoid the €10 rail pass reservation fee on the Frecce trains.
57min (Frecce trains)
Daily
1 - 2 x trains per hour
Exclusive for New Customers: Receive a 10% discount by using the code 24NOV on any purchase with a maximum total price of £100, until 28 November 2024 (11:59 pm CET). Limit one coupon per qualifying booking. Cannot be combined, transferred or exchanged.
Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.
The three key advantages of using Omio are
The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.
Italiarail lives up to its name by selling tickets for rail journeys within Italy and the core feature of its service is that it is primarily designed to be used by international visitors to Italy.
So the English translations of place names are used when looking up journeys and the terms and conditions for using each type of ticket are clearly explained.
It also clearly points out the additional costs of upgrading to other classes and types of tickets while spelling out the additional benefits of doing so.
Though Italiarail will charge a booking fee, typically of around €3.
The Early Bird service
Italiarail has launched an 'early bird' pre-booking service for journeys by Frecce trains.
Tickets can be booked up to a year ahead of travel at a flat-rate price per route, before the tickets have been released for sale by Trenitalia.
If when they are placed on sale, the price is cheaper than what you have already paid to Italiarail, it will automatically refund the price difference.
Conversely, if the price is more expensive, you won't be charged the price difference.
You can also have the peace of mind of securing your seat(s) on the Frecce train(s) when you are first planning a trip.
If before the tickets are placed on sale, you decide to change your plans, you can request a refund; but once the tickets are released for sale, you will then be bound by the terms and conditions of the ticket(s) you have booked.
Trenitlalia is the national rail operator in Italy and in addition to its cheaper types of ticket; it also typically offers other discounts available to non-Italians, which include:
Final Destination: Venezia or Trieste or Udine
Nearly all of these faster 'Frecce' services are non-stop between Bologna and Padova, it's why they are quicker than the alternative Frecciabianca and Regionale Veloce (RGV) services.
These trains now depart from the binari (platforms/tracks) in the AV station, even though there is no high speed line between Bologna and Padova/Padua.
So if you will be taking a taxi to Bologna Centrale, ask the driver to drop you there.
There are also two departures per day by Frecciabianca trains, they're slower than these Frecce trains, because they make more station calls, but they're also cheaper.
They typically depart daily from the main part of the station at 14:18 and 20:18.
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date
The express train service between Bologna and Padova/Padua is provided by;
Booking ahead
Taking these trains on this route can be good value if you are able to book a couple of months in advance and are therefore able to obtain the cheapest possible price; and are happy to commit to taking a specific departure.
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale 4 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are made available 5 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains and Italo does not sell tickets for the Frecce trains.
If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce and Italo trains can be directly compared on Trainline or Omio; though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.
These Italo trains tend to be slightly cheaper than the Frecce trains on this route.
1hr 4 min
Daily
7 x trains per day
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.
Exclusive for New Customers: Receive a 10% discount by using the code 24NOV on any purchase with a maximum total price of £100, until 28 November 2024 (11:59 pm CET). Limit one coupon per qualifying booking. Cannot be combined, transferred or exchanged.
Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.
The three key advantages of using Omio are
The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.
Italo trains compete with the Frecce services, provided by the national rail operator, Trenitalia, on the high speed routes which link major cities in Italy.
The Italo booking site only sells tickets for journeys by its trains.
Final Destination: Venezia or Trieste or Udine
These trains will make only one intermediate station call in either Ferrara or Rovigo
These trains now depart from the binari (platforms/tracks) in the AV station, even though there is no high speed line between Bologna and Padova/Padua.
So if you will be taking a taxi to Bologna Centrale, ask the driver to drop you there.
Online bookings open: around 3 months ahead of the travel date
Booking ahead
Taking these trains on this route can be good value if you are able to book a couple of months in advance and are therefore able to obtain the cheapest possible price; and are happy to commit to taking a specific departure.
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale 4 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are made available 5 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains and Italo does not sell tickets for the Frecce trains.
If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce and Italo trains can be directly compared on Trainline or Omio; though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.
Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.
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