Route guide

Brussels → Bologna

879 km · Belgium to Italy · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €31+ by bus

How to travel from Brussels to Bologna

There are 4 ways to travel between Brussels and Bologna — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€68–198

Duration: 7h 19m

via SNCB, Trenitalia (Frecciarossa), Italo

~12 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€31–82

Duration: 12h 33m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~25 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€70–225

Duration: 3h 40m

via Ryanair, easyJet, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways

~137 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€105–193

Duration: 9h 46m

~149 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

Brussels and Bologna highlighted among the 50 European cities we cover. Map is schematic, not to scale.

Travel tips for this route

At 879 km it's a longer journey — overnight stay strongly recommended.
Both train and flight options exist. Trains often beat flights door-to-door under 600 km once you count airport overhead.
This route crosses from Belgium into Italy. Check passport/ID requirements with your operator before booking.
Long-distance coaches (FlixBus and similar) are typically 30–50% cheaper than train, but 2–3× slower.

Brussels to Bologna — every option in detail

Brussels to Bologna by train

Trains link Brussels (Belgium) and Bologna (Italy) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 7h 19m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include SNCB, Trenitalia (Frecciarossa), Italo.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €68 to €198. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 12 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 137 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~125 kg on this distance.

Brussels to Bologna by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Brussels and Bologna with a typical journey of 12h 33m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €31 when booked in advance, rising to €82 for last-minute travel.

Most modern coaches offer Wi-Fi, USB charging and reclining seats. Overnight services exist on longer corridors and can save a hotel night.

Brussels to Bologna by flight

Flights between Brussels and Bologna take around 1h in the air, but plan on roughly 3h 40m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways.

Typical fare range is €70–225. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 137 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Brussels to Bologna by car

The driving distance from Brussels to Bologna is approximately 1010 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 9h 46m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €105–193 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Belgium–Italy border by car is straightforward within the Schengen Area; check current rules with the operator or border authority if either country is outside it.

Climate footprint: approximately 149 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Brussels and Bologna is approximately 879 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Both cities have international airports with regular flight service. Long-distance coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative on this route. Estimates below reflect typical operator schedules and fare ranges; book in advance for the best prices.

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