Fastest way from Bologna to Milan: Train (Trenitalia / Italo), about 1h 4min (from €28). Cheapest: Bus, from €8 (about 2h 15min – 3h 5min). Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on October 27, 2026): NTV, FlixBus, Itabus; main departure point: Bologna Bus Station.
There are 3 ways to get from Bologna to Milan
Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.
Companies selling this route on 12Go
Offers listed on 12Go on October 27, 2026 for a departure on November 17, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.
| Company | Mode | Departs from | From | Offers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NTV | Train | Bologna Main | €28 | 27 |
| Marino | Bus | Bologna Bus Station | €8 | 4 |
| FlixBus | Bus | Bologna Bus Station | €9 | 22 |
| Itabus | Bus | Bologna Bus Terminal | €10 | 7 |
| Autolinee Federico | Bus | Bologna Bus Station | €32 | 3 |
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Practical tips
High-speed fares on Trenitalia and Italo usually rise as the departure date gets closer. Once your plans are fixed, book online early to avoid paying the full last-minute fare for a seat you could have had for less.
Trenitalia and Italo both serve this line, and their fares for the same time slot can differ. Check both before you buy, and compare flexible and non-flexible tickets if your plans might change.
Milan has several stations, and not every train stops at the same ones. Read the arrival station on your ticket before booking, so you do not end up far from your hotel or your onward connection.
If you are flexible and want the lowest fare, the coach is the smart pick. Confirm the exact stop and drop-off point in your booking, and allow extra margin if you have a connection after arriving in Milan.
A flight with a stopover adds airport transfers, security checks and a connection, which is hard to justify between two cities this close. Reserve it only if a fare or an existing ticket makes it clearly worthwhile.
The journey experience
Bologna and Milan sit on the main rail axis of northern Italy, so choosing how to travel is easier here than on most routes. Train, coach and a flight with a stopover are all options, and the comparison table on this page puts durations and price ranges side by side so you can decide at a glance.
The high-speed train, run by Trenitalia and Italo, is the comfortable choice. It goes from city centre to city centre, with reserved seats, luggage racks and no traffic. The coach is the budget option and suits a relaxed pace, though journey time depends on road conditions. A flight with a stopover rarely makes sense between two cities this close, because airport transfers and the connection add hassle without saving time.
Our advice: if your date is fixed, book the train in advance, since fares on both Trenitalia and Italo tend to rise as departure approaches. If you are flexible and the lowest price matters most, take the coach. Whichever you choose, check your arrival station on the ticket, because Milan has several. You can book online with instant confirmation and travel without worry.
Frequently asked questions — Bologna → Milan
The coach is the cheapest option, from €8 and typically up to €10. The train starts from €28 and typically costs up to €29. A flight with a stopover starts from €33 and typically goes up to €57. Prices vary by date and how early you book.
The train is by far the fastest, at about 1 h 05 to 1 h 15. The coach takes roughly 2 h 15 to 3 h 05, depending on traffic. A flight with a stopover takes about 2 h 55 to 3 h 20 in total, so it saves no time on this route.
For most travellers the train is the best choice: about 1 h 05 to 1 h 15 from city centre to city centre, with fares from €28. Choose the coach, from €8, if budget matters more than time. The flight with a stopover is rarely worth it here.
Trains to Milan, run by Trenitalia and Italo, leave from Bologna Centrale, the city's main station. For the coach, check the departure stop in your booking confirmation. On arrival, check which Milan station your ticket names, as the city has several.
Usually not. The flight with a stopover takes about 2 h 55 to 3 h 20 and costs from €33, typically up to €57. The train covers the route in about 1 h 05 to 1 h 15 and runs city centre to city centre, which is far simpler.
Why visit Milan?
- ✓ Climb the rooftop terraces of the Duomo for a close-up view of its spires and, on clear days, the Alps
- ✓ See Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie (book weeks ahead)
- ✓ Shop and people-watch in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, then head to the Quadrilatero della Moda
- ✓ Enjoy aperitivo along the Navigli canals, with Spritz and buffet snacks at sunset
- ✓ Catch an opera or ballet at La Scala, or visit its museum on a rainy afternoon
When to visit Milan?
April to June and September to October — mild temperatures, fewer rainy days, and no summer heat or winter fog
What to do in Milan?
Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you
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