Car Rental in Bologna

Why rent a car in Bologna?

Bologna is a great place to explore by car. The city is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region and is located in the heart of northern Italy.  It is a fascinating destination in its own right, and it’s in close proximity to many other interesting destinations.

Top ways to enter Bologna

• Bologna Airport. Seventh busiest in Italy, Bologna’s Airport is popular with both high-end airlines and low-cost carriers.
• Florence Airport. About an hour-and-a-half drive from Bologna, Florence Airport is served by low-cost airline Vueling, as well as many other airlines that connect it to destinations around Italy and Europe.
• Venice Airport. Less than a two-hour drive north, Venice’s Marco Polo Airport is another convenient place to fly to if your final destination is Bologna.
• Milan Malpensa Airport. The largest of the three airports serving the Milan metropolitan area, Malpensa also ranks among the busiest in all of Europe and connects Italy with destinations all over the planet. The drive to Bologna takes about three hours.
• By Train: If you’re arriving in Bologna by train, you can pick up a rental car at the Bologna Centrale train station.

City facts

• A city of culture and education, Bologna is home to University of Bologna, the oldest university in the world.
• Bologna has about 390,000 inhabitants, but a tad more than 1 million people live in its wider metropolitan area.
• The city is a foodie destination for Italians and visitors from abroad.

Top sights and activities

• National Picture Gallery. Exhibiting the best of Venetian and Emilia-Romagna art, this gallery has world-famous works by Giotto, Raffaello, Parmigianino, and many others.
• The Bolognese Cuisine. Calling yourself the food capital is a mighty claim in Italy, but Bologna can back it up. Many Bolognese residents claim that leaving without trying their cured meats and cheeses, lasagna, and stuffed tortellini pasta amounts to a crime.
• Towers of Bologna. Many of the city’s original towers are no longer standing, but more than 20 remain, including the central Due Torri or Two Towers that are over 900 years old.  You can climb the tallest of the two, the Asinelli Tower.
• San Petronio. The first stone of this basilica was laid in the 14th century, but it has remained unfinished to this day – that hasn’t stopped it from becoming one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Italy though. The church has a truly impressive collection of religious art, and a unique indoor sundial.
• Po Delta parks. Northern Italy is better known for the sophistication of its cities than its nature, but that doesn’t mean that there is nothing to enjoy in the latter department. A fine case in point are the parks of the Po River Delta, two protected areas that encompass a vast wetland, as well as forests and coastal lagoons. The one closer to Bologna is the Emilia–Romagna Regional Park which borders the Veneto Regional Park to its north, and it is possible to visit both on the same trip – the drive from Bologna takes only about 90 minutes.

Traffic and parking

• The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. 
• Main highways are limited to 130 km/h, non-major highways to 110 km/h, and local roads to 90 km/h. During the rain the limits are respectively lowered to 110 km/h, 100 km/h, and 80 km/h. The general speed limit is lowered to 50 km/h during heavy fog or other cases of bad visibility.
• The speed limit on the Autostrada (toll road) is 130 km/h, reduced to 110 km/h if it’s raining.  The speed limit on highways ranges from 90-110 km/h.  
• The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• If you’re the driver, you need to have your driver’s license and International Driving Permit (if required for you)passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.00% for novice drivers. Being over the allowed limit can result in hefty fines. and even imprisonment. 
• The emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.
• It’s easiest to park outside the city walls and walk or take public transport or a taxi into the historic center.  Blue lines are pay parking.
• Be careful not to enter the ZTL (zona traffico limitato - limited traffic zone) if you don’t have permission.

Toll roads

There are numerous toll roads in Italy. The exact fee depends on the route of your choice and the type of a vehicle. See the official Italian toll road website for more information. Use the website’s toll road calculator to find out exactly how much you’ll have to pay for using the toll roads on your planned route.

Ideas for day trips

• Modena and Parma.  Foodies will delight in two other culinary destinations in the Emilia-Romagna region, each with a beautiful historic center.  Modena is home to balsamic vinegar, and can be reached from Bologna in less than an hour.  Parma is home to parmigiano Reggiano cheese and prosciutto di Parma and can be reached from Bologna in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.  
• Ferrara. Another neighbor, Ferrara is about an hour’s drive to the northeast of Bologna. Yet to be discovered en masse by tourists, the city has anauthentic atmosphere and there are no crowds at its landmarks that include the stunning Este Castle, the ancient frescoes of Schifanoia Castle, and the rotunda of the Claudio Abbado Theater.
• Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, and Campigna Forest National Park. The region of Emilia-Romagna is one of the most urbanized parts of Italy but has found a place for this scenic nature preserve. Characterized by beech and oak woodlands, deep valleys, and ancient monasteries, it has all the right ingredients for an enjoyable day outdoors. The drive from Bologna takes about two hours.
• Perugia. Like Bologna, Perugia is an inland city, and like Bologna, it is known for its excellent universities and fascinating history. The capital of the Umbria region, it does not get as many visitors as some of the larger Italian metropolises, but that only seems to add to its unique atmosphere which is also embodied by landmarks such as the ancient Marzia Gate and the Rocca Paolina fortress. The drive south of Bologna takes about three hours.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental cars in Italy are the Fiat Panda, the Ford Fiesta, and the Fiat 500. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and compact. 

Further destinations

• Florence. As famous and interesting as Bologna is, Florence is a place every visitor should consider a side trip to. The wealth of culture, art, and history in the Renaissance capital will blow away even the most seasoned travelers. The drive from Bologna takes only about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• San Marino. One of the smallest countries on the planet, San Marino is completely surrounded by Italy. Reasons to visit include its picturesque fortresses, elevated landscape, and beautiful vineyards. Despite its small size, San Marino claims to be the oldest republic in the world. The drive from Bologna takes about two hours.
• Venice. A destination like no other, the floating city is another world-famous destination that’s within a two-hour drive of Bologna. Landmarks like Doge’s Palace and the St. Mark’s Basilica are not to be overlooked, but if you have time, make sure to also check out the surrounding islands that offer even more character and atmosphere than the busy center.
• Italian Car Museums.  Racecar and Formula 1 fans should head into Italy’s ‘Motor Valley’ to see some of Italy’s car factories and museums, including those of Ferrari and Lamborghini, both less than an hour from Bologna.

Car rental prices in Bologna

• Small cars - from $5 per day
• Medium cars - from $11 per day
• SUVs - from $10 per day
• Large cars - from $23 per day
• Convertibles - from $85 per day
• Station wagons - from $28 per day
• Vans - from $55 per day
• Premium cars - from $30 per day

Money-saving and other tips

There are many things you can do to get a good rental deal in Bologna:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during low seasons - outside of summer months and major holidays (like Easter, Ferragosto, Christmas).
• Explore pickup locations.  A nearby town that’s reached easily by train may have a better rate.
• Don’t rent a car for time you’ll spend in cities.  It will just sit in a parking lot or garage (and you’ll need to pay for parking!).
• Look into renting ‘open jaw’ - pick up your car in one destination and drop it off in another.  While you will likely need to pay a supplement for your car rental, you’ll save money on gas and tolls and you’ll save precious vacation time!
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Bologna is the cheapest in April when renting a car is about 60% cheaper than the yearly average.