Milan to Bologna Trains from €18.10

With up to 11 departures per hour and high-speed services taking just over an hour, the train is the best way to get from Milan to Bologna. The short journey time makes it an easy day trip and, when you arrive, you'll be in the heart of the action, close to some of Bologna's most popular attractions.

And when it comes to booking, you'll be pleased to know that TrainPal is an official and authorised reseller of Italo and the Trenitalia family (including Frecciarossa, Intercity and regional trains), so you can book with peace of mind you're getting the real deal at some of the best prices.

Departure stations: Milano Centrale, Milano Porta Garibaldi and Milano Rogoredo

Milano Centrale

Milano Centrale is, as the name suggests, the city’s main station and is in the city centre on Piazza Duca d’Aosta. This generally makes it the best option if you're a tourist as it's close to all the attractions and easy to get to on the metro (M2 and M3 lines).

The Malpensa Express from Milan's main international airport also calls here, so you can easily head straight to Bologna after landing (although it's worth spending a few days exploring one of the world's fashion capitals).

As for operators, Frecciarossa, Italo and Regionale Veloce trains to Bologna all leave from Centrale. There are plenty of departures throughout the day, too. While the high-speed services all offer snacks and refreshments onboard, you'll find many shops and cafes at Milano Centrale to grab a bite to eat before you board.

And, if you have time to kill before your train, you can leave your bags in the left-luggage facilities and head off to explore. The station's grand marble columns and architecture are worth checking out itself and the Mercato Centrale (on the west side of the station) is a must for foodies.

Milano Porta Garibaldi

Milano Porta Garibaldi is around a mile away from Centrale and just two stops down the M2 (green) metro line. This station is handy if you're in town on business, as it's where many of Milan's tech, finance and consulting businesses are based.

If you're on a tight budget, you can hop on the Intercity service (which departs in the morning) or the Trenitalia service (which departs in the evening) from Milano Porta Garibaldi. These can often be cheaper than Frecciarossa, especially when booking last minute.

Milano Rogoredo

This station is a little further out at around 5 km (3 miles) southeast of the centre, so you would only really depart from here if you live in the southern neighbourhoods or are studying at university (Bocconi, IULM and NABA universities are all in this area). If you work in the city's creative industries, many of the offices are close to here, too.

From here, you can travel on Frecciarossa, Italo, Intercity and Regionale Veloce - between these operators, there are up to 30 departures throughout the day. Many of these services come from Milano Centrale, too.

As for facilities, there’s a ticket office, bar, pharmacy and minimarket. Just keep in mind that there’s no left luggage, so be sure to pack light if you want to roam before your train.

Arrival station: Arriving at Bologna Centrale

No matter which station in Milan you depart from, you'll always arrive at Bologna Centrale. This is the city’s main station and is in the heart of town on Piazza delle Medaglie d’Oro. If you're coming in on the high-speed trains (Frecciarossa and Italo), you'll usually arrive at the underground platforms (16 to 19), so allow 10 to 15 minutes to get up to the main hall, or longer if you’ve got big suitcases.

There are two exits: the main one on Piazza delle Medaglie d’Oro (city-centre side) and Via de’ Carracci (north side). From the main exit, it’s a pleasant 15 to 20-minute walk down Via dell’Indipendenza to Piazza Maggiore — most of the route is under the city's iconic porticoes, too.

If you're not up for the walk, you can also catch buses 11, 25, and 27 to the centre - a single costs €2.30. There are taxi ranks outside the station, too.

Italo and Trenitalia's different subsidiaries run all the services on this route and which is best for you depends on your budget, preferred departure time and desired travel experience.

For speed and comfort, you’re best to go with Frecciarossa or Italo. These are high-speed, modern trains with a choice of travel classes and plenty of onboard amenities. If you're keen to keep costs down and don't mind a slightly slower journey, Regionale Veloce and Intercity services are a good shout.

Here's an overview of each operator so you can choose the right one for you:

Frecciarossa high-speed trains

Frecciarossa is Trenitalia’s flagship high-speed train and has the most departures on this route, with around 44 services per day. You can choose from one of 3 or 4 classes onboard, including Standard, Premium, Business and Executive (select services only).

Food and drink is available to buy in the FRECCIABistrò bar carriage and if you travel in Premium and Business, you'll get a welcome snack and drink. Executive even has an à la carte menu.

• Avg. duration: Around 1 hour.
• Departure stations: Milano Centrale (35 departures), Milano Rogoredo (19 departures) and Milano Porta Garibaldi (6 departures).
• Best for: Those seeking the widest choice of departure times and those seeking to travel in comfort.
• Onboard perks: Free Wi-Fi, plug sockets and the FRECCIAPlay entertainment portal in every class.
• Worth knowing: The difference between Standard and Premium can be as little as £4 when booking in advance, so you may find it’s worth the upgrade. Frecciarossa also has lots of special advance offers, so try to avoid booking at the last minute if you want to save money. Fares are dynamic and increase with demand.

Italo high-speed trains

Italo is Italy’s private high-speed operator and runs around 18 trains per day from Milan to Bologna. When booking your tickets, you can choose Smart, Prima Business and Club Executive classes. Each has different levels of comfort, with complimentary snacks and drinks in the premium carriages and vending machines in Smart.

• Avg. duration: Around 1 hour 10 minutes.
• Departure stations: Milano Centrale (17 departures) and Milano Rogoredo (8 departures, most of which also come from Milano Centrale).
• Best for: Those seeking comfort and speed and those taking a day trip to Milan from Bologna (see below).
• Onboard perks: Free Wi-Fi and plug sockets in every class, plus Fast Track boarding in Prima Business and Club Executive. Club Executive also includes access to the Italo Club.
• Worth knowing: Italo offers up to 50% off if you return the same day when purchasing at least 3 days in advance. The same-day return from Milan to Bologna usually costs around £17. In Smart class, bags must be no bigger than 75 x 53 x 30 cm. Just like Frecciarossa, fares are dynamic and increase with demand.

Intercity trains

Intercity trains are slower services that run on the conventional line from Milan to Bologna. There are around 7 departures a day and most have a choice of 2 classes, 2ª Easy and 1ª Plus. There’s no bar carriage, but some trains have vending machines.

• Avg. duration: Between 2 hours and 2 hours 50 minutes.
• Departure stations: Milano Centrale (6 departures), Milano Rogoredo (2 departures, come from Milano Centrale) and Milano Porta Garibaldi (1 departure).
• Best for: Those travelling on a budget and booking last minute who don't mind a longer journey.
• Onboard perks: Plug sockets in both classes, although Wi-Fi may not be available on all trains. Food for sale on board.
• Worth knowing: Intercity fares are often cheaper than Frecciarossa and Italo when booking at the last minute (within 3 days) and can even cost half the price. Seat reservations are included, too, so you won't have to stand. Fares are also dynamic, so it's best to book early for the best prices.

Regionale trains

Regionale is a cheaper alternative for trains from Milan to Bologna, with around 8 departures a day. On the way, they call at stations like Piacenza, Parma, Reggio Emilia and Modena. It’s 2nd Class only with unreserved seating, and there’s no food or drink for sale on board.

• Avg. duration: Around 2 hours 50 minutes.
• Departure stations: Milano Centrale (7 departures) and Milano Porta Garibaldi (1 departure).
• Best for: Travellers who want flexibility and are on a tight budget.
• Onboard perks: Free luggage, with racks for your bags and space at the end of each carriage. Plug sockets on newer trains only.
• Worth knowing: Regionale train fares for this route allow unlimited date and time changes before 11:59 pm on the day of travel, so it's worth considering if you want to keep your options open. Fares are fixed at around £15.90.

One of the great things about visiting Bologna is just how compact it is - when you step off the train at Bologna Centrale, you'll be within walking distance of the historic centre. And for history buffs and foodies, the city is a must. Here’s what to see and do:

• Piazza Maggiore and the Basilica of San Petronio. It’s a 15-minute walk from the station to Bologna’s main square and the Basilica of San Petronio, which is one of Europe’s largest churches and home to the world’s longest sundial. It’s free to enter, as is the nearby Salaborsa library (well worth a visit for the glass floor over Roman ruins).
• The Quadrilatero. This must-see medieval market area is right next to Piazza Maggiore and around 15 minutes on foot from the station. Today, it’s still a market and is packed with stalls, cafés and gourmet food shops, so be sure to visit if you want to try local specialities like tortellini and mortadella.
• The porticoes and San Luca. The 4 km (2.5-mile) portico up to the Sanctuary of San Luca is the longest in the world. It starts around 30 minutes on foot from the station at Porta Saragozza. If you’d rather not walk, the San Luca Express runs from Piazza Maggiore for €15.