Rimini to Bologna Trains from €10.13

If you're holidaying in Rimini and can tempt yourself away from the beach for just one day, Bologna is well worth the trip. It’s Italy’s food capital, after all, and the home of ragù, tortellini and mortadella — there's plenty of history to explore in between meals, too. And with frequent departures throughout the day and a journey time of just over an hour, taking the train from Rimini to Bologna couldn't be easier.

If you've been searching online, you've probably seen different kinds of trains and operators on this route and knowing which to book can be tricky. Luckily, in this guide, we’ll talk you through every option, along with how to get to and from the stations at each end.

The journey planner lets you search and book in English, pay in pounds with no FX fees, and issue your e-ticket as soon as you pay, which you can then download in moments.

Departure station: Departing from Rimini

Staying near the beach at Marina Centro? You’re best to use the sea-side entrance on Piazzale Carso instead. It’s around 15 minutes on foot from the seafront and there's a pedestrian tunnel that leads straight to the platforms. Just keep in mind that it closes overnight, so you’ll need to use the main entrance if you’re catching one of the very early trains.

If you’re further down the coast in Bellariva, Marebello, Rivazzurra, Miramare or Riccione, the easiest way to reach the station is on Metromare. This electric bus uses its own lane along the coast (so there are great views and no traffic) and stops right by the station. There are departures every 15 to 30 minutes and, from Riccione station, it takes just over 20 minutes to reach Rimini.

Arrival station: Arriving at Bologna Centrale

From here, cross the road and walk straight down Via dell’Indipendenza to reach Piazza Maggiore, Bologna’s main square. It’s a pleasant 20-minute stroll and most of it will take you under the city's iconic UNESCO-listed porticoes. If you’d rather not walk, you’ll find taxis outside the main exit and buses into the centre from outside the station. To pay for the bus, simply tap your contactless bank card on the green reader when you board.

If you arrive before check-in or have a few hours to kill before your flight home, you can leave your bags at the left luggage office on the ground floor, by Platform 7 Ovest at the west end of the station.

And if you’re flying home from Bologna, the Marconi Express monorail leaves from inside the station on the Via de’ Carracci side. It takes less than 10 minutes to reach the airport and there are departures every 15 minutes.

Frecciarossa

Frecciarossa is worth it if you want the quickest trip, a choice of travel class and a guaranteed seat. It’s the priciest of all operators, though, so be sure to book as early as possible for the best price.

• Avg. duration: Around 1 hour.
• Best for: Day-trippers who want as long as possible in Bologna, travellers with big suitcases who want a reserved seat and anyone heading on to a flight from Bologna Airport.
• Onboard perks: Choose from Standard, Premium and Business. Premium and Business come with a free welcome drink and snack, while the Standard carriage has refreshments for sale. There’s free Wi-Fi, plug sockets and a bar on board.
• Worth knowing: Last-minute prices can start from around £23 in Standard, £29 in Premium and £36 in Business.

Intercity

Intercity is a good option if you want to strike a balance between cost, comfort and speed. It takes slightly longer than Frecciarossa, but nearly always costs less and still offers reserved seating. There are only around 6 to 8 departures per day, though.

• Avg. duration: Around 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Best for: Budget travellers who still want a guaranteed seat and families.
• Onboard perks: You can choose Standard (2ª Classe Easy), which has a family area, or 1st Class (1ª Classe Plus) for larger seats. Pets welcome. Food and drink for sale.
• Worth knowing: Last-minute fares start from around £14 in Standard and £18.50 in 1st Class. Under-4s travel free without their own seat, while children aged 4 to 14 get 50% off.

Regionale

If you want the cheapest option and don't mind travelling with fewer frills, Regionale is a good shout. Just keep in mind that there's no food or drink for sale onboard and seat reservations aren't available (you'll sit wherever is free when you board).

• Avg. duration: Between 1 hour 10 minutes and 1 hour 35 minutes on most trains, or 2 to 20 hours via Ravenna.
• Best for: Travellers on a budget and anyone who wants to turn up and go.
• Onboard perks: There’s no size limit on luggage, so you can bring what you need and store it on the overhead racks or in the space by the doors.
• Worth knowing: Fares are fixed at £10.57 via Cesena and Forlì and £12.43 via Ravenna. During the weekday rush hours and on weekends in summer, these trains can get busy, so book a Frecciarossa or Intercity if you want a guaranteed seat.

As Bologna's old town is compact and walkable, you can easily see the highlights in a day. It's a good idea to catch a morning train from Rimini to make the most of your day trip, although you can still see the sights in half a day. Here are some of the top attractions that are within a 25-minute walk of the station — most of them are a straight walk down Via dell’Indipendenza, too.

• Finestrella di Via Piella. This unassuming and often missed window in a wall gives you a view of Bologna’s hidden canals that go between buildings. It’s well worth a quick stop on your way into the centre and is around 10 minutes from the station on Via Piella.
• Archiginnasio. Head to Piazza Galvani (around 20 minutes from the station) to visit the university’s old main building. Inside, you can step into the wood-panelled anatomy theatre where students once watched dissections. Just be aware, you’ll need a ticket for this.
• The Two Towers. Bologna’s two leaning medieval towers are on Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, around a 20-minute walk from the station.
• Santo Stefano. Carry on a few minutes past the Two Towers to Piazza Santo Stefano and explore the medieval churches and cloisters.