Despite Parma being a relatively short distance from Bologna, there is a choice of train service options when taking a journey between these two cities.
If you can book ahead and the departure times suit, you may as well travel in the comparative comfort of the Frecce or IC trains, they're a few euros more expensive, but you will have assigned seats.
Though if you want to buy walk-up tickets at the station for a last-minute journey those express trains become a much more expensive option, so you can save money by taking the more frequent Regioanale trains.
Final Destination: Milano or Piacenza
All trains also call at: Modena and Regio Emilia (town centre station)
1 - 2 x trains per hour
Book early and save: No (on these trains)
Tickets will cost the same price if purchased at the station immediately before departure - on these trains.
The train service between Bologna and Parma is split between:
These Regionale Veloce (RGV/RV) trains are only around 10 mins slower than the express trains, but if you are booking at the station on the day of travel, then they will be at least €5 cheaper.
Tickets will cost the same price if you take the Regionale trains, but those trains are around 20mins slower, so are best avoided.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Trenitalia | * |
If you want to make a spontaneous day trip by train from Bologna to Parma it's worth looking up the timings of the Regionale Veloce (RV) trains, before heading to the station.
They will be cheaper than taking the alternative express trains, but they're not much slower than those trains; plus they're faster and no more expensive than the Regionale (R) trains .
Final Destination: Milano
All trains also call at: Modena and Regio Emilia (town centre station)
9 x Frecce trains per day
6 x IC trains per day
Book early and save: Yes (on these trains)
Online bookings open: around 4 months ahead of the travel date
The train service between Bologna and Parma is split between:
If you can book in advance of your travel date, tickets for these faster express trains will cost only around €1.50 more than those alternative RV and R trains; and you will also have a complimentary seat reservation.
However, if you'll be booking at the station on the day you want to travel, a ticket for the Regionale Veloce/Regionale trains will be much cheaper; and the fastest Regionale Veloce (RGV) trains are only 8 - 10 mins slower.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Trenitalia | from €9.90 | |
Italia rail | from €9.90 |
On this route from Bologna to Parma the Intercity (IC) trains are as fast as the Frecce trains
There is no high speed line between these two cities, but these express trains are faster; and more comfortable than the alternative RV and R trains.
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