The main station at Bologna Centrale, the view is of binario 3 from binario 4

Verona to Bologna by train

How to travel by train from Verona to Bologna

There isn't a high speed railway between Verona and Bologna, but the various types of express trains which use the route are faster because they travel non-stop between these two cities.
Though as is typical, the faster a train, the more expensive it is likely to be; but the difference between journey times isn't particularly extreme on this route.

However, if you will be booking tickets last minute at the station, then taking the slower Regionale Veloce (RV) trains will be a money saver.
Though is a route on which it can pay off to look up the journey in advance.
The departure times of the RV trains tend to be irregular and the price difference with the express trains can be comparatively minor.

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Routes

Option 1: taking the express trains

Travel Information

Final Destination: Roma or Napoli

There is no high speed line between Verona and Bologna, but despite that the Frecce trains are usually the most expensive trains on this route, so are best avoided.

The alternative EuroCity trains, which will have travelled from Germany via Austria, are less frequent, but as there is no high speed line, they come close to matching the speed of these Frecce trains and they can be cheaper too.
The also comparatively infrequent Italo trains can offer a good deal, though the 'Tickets' info explains how to compare the price with the Frecce and EC trains.

Though if you will be booking last minute at the station, you will save money if you take the slower Regionale trains between these two cities.

If you do want to book tickets last minute at the station, it's definitely worth looking up the departure times on the Trenitalia website, before you head to Verona Porta Nuova.

3 x Frecciarossa trains per day
3 x Frecciargento trains per day
2 x Italo trains per day
2 or 3 x EC trains per day

Tickets

*Save by booking in advance: Yes, for more details on how to obtain the cheapest prices for Frecce trains see the guide to Italian rail tickets.

Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date; though the booking period will be typically be shorter when looking up journeys for travel after the second Sunday in December.

Though not all trains will be available more than 4 months ahead

The express train service between Verona and Bologna is provided by;

(1) Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia, and
(2) other EC trains, which tend to be €5 cheaper than the Frecce trains,
(3) other Italo trains

Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains and the EC trains are placed on sale 4 months in advance (usually), but the Italo train tickets are made available 5 months ahead (usually).
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains; and Italo does not sell tickets for the Trenitalia or EC 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, EC 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.

Though by booking tickets for any of these trains, you will have a complimentary seat reservation

Using InterRail and Eurail Passes

Try to avoid taking these express trains between these two cities, the flat rate rail pass reservation fees, which are payable on any of these trains are particularly expensive considering the length of the journey.
Though if need be you'll save around €4 by taking a Frecce train and avoiding the EC trains.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Trenitalia from €14.90

Trenitalia Guide

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:

  • Group Offers, provides for a discount of up to 50% when 3-5 Adults travel together.
  • Family Offer for when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 11 and under.
  • The Children Free Offer is available for journeys by Frecce trains, when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 15 and under.
    Those aged 15 and under travel for free, but the Adults will need to purchase full price 'Base' tickets.
Italia Rail from €15

Italia Rail Guide

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.

Trainline from €14.90

Trainline Guide

Omio from €14.90

Omio Guide

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

  • it offers prices in multiple currencies
  • it usually offers price comparison with other modes of travel including flights and buses
  • when visiting Europe, you can book journeys in multiple countries in one transaction.

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.

Save A Train from €14.90

Save A Train Guide

Option 2: taking the Regionale trains

Travel Information

Most of these RV trains are 2nd class only.

Final Destination: Bologna

You can save money by taking these Regional Veloce trains, compared to the alternative express train services; the Frecce trains and the EuroCity trains, particularly if you will be buying tickets last minute at the station.

If you do want to do so, it's definitely worth looking up the departure times on the Trenitalia website, before you head to Verona Porta Nuova.

9 x trains per day

Tickets

Book early and save: No

Tickets will cost the same price if purchased at the station immediately before departure.

If you will be buying tickets at the station just before departure, then tickets for these Regionale Veloce (RGV/RV) trains will be around 50% of the price of the faster Frecce trains and at least €5 cheaper than the EC trains

Rail pass users should target these trains and avoid the rail pass reservation fees on the Frecce and EC trains.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Trenitalia *

Trenitalia Guide

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:

  • Group Offers, provides for a discount of up to 50% when 3-5 Adults travel together.
  • Family Offer for when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 11 and under.
  • The Children Free Offer is available for journeys by Frecce trains, when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 15 and under.
    Those aged 15 and under travel for free, but the Adults will need to purchase full price 'Base' tickets.

On this journey

Journey Features

Not High Speed

Good to Know

These R/RV trains ae more frequent in the afternoons, the only morning departure by them is at 07:03 (usually).

So if you want or need to depart from Verona for Bologna between 07:15 and 12:00, the only option is to take a Frecce train, so booking them in advance will be the best option.

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