- Recommended
Castello di Masnago - Museo d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea
Municipal art museum inside a medieval castle, showing frescoes, paintings, and decorative arts tied to Varese's local history.
Cheapest price
€11
Average price
€11
Fastest journey
4 h 40 m
Average duration
4 h 40 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
246 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Bologna to Varese is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bologna to Varese will cost around €11 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €11.
Of the 2 buses that leave Bologna for Varese on Mon, Aug 10, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Aug 10 the direct buses cover the 246 km distance in an average of 4 h 40 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 40 m .
On Mon, Aug 10 the slowest buses will take 4 h 40 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bologna to Varese among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €8. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 59m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €8, and a train costs an average of €18.
Distance: 152 miles (246 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
€13 Average price Cheapest | €22 Average price |
4h 12m Average total duration 3h 42m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 29m Average total duration Fastest 2h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Bologna to Varese:
A bus is €10 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Bologna to Varese costing on average €22.
Other travel options to Varese take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 42m.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Itabus | Departure Time 01:30AM | Arrival Time 05:55AM | Duration 4h25 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €11 |
Operator Marino Autolinee | Departure Time 02:10AM | Arrival Time 06:50AM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price €11 |
Operator Marino Autolinee | Departure Time 03:10AM | Arrival Time 07:50AM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price €10 |
Operator Marino Autolinee | Departure Time 04:10AM | Arrival Time 08:50AM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Wed, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:10AM | Arrival Time 09:20AM | Duration 3h10 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price €15 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 11:10AM | Duration 3h10 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price €20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:20AM | Arrival Time 12:20PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €20 |
Operator Itabus | Departure Time 11:25AM | Arrival Time 03:35PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €8 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 3h10 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price €22 |
Operator GoOpti | Departure Time 02:15PM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 3h35 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €173 |
Operator GoOpti | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 06:20PM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €173 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:40PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 2h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €21 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 2h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €26 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:20PM | Arrival Time 07:20PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Wed, Sun | Cheapest price €12 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €15 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:20PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 12:30AM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €15 |
The table below shows live departures for Bologna to Varese buses for tomorrow, Monday, August 10. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 2:10 AM Bologna | 4h40 | 6:50 AM Varese | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:10 AM Bologna | 4h40 | 7:50 AM Varese | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Bologna to Varese run on average 7 times per day, taking around 3h 42m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €8 if you book in advance.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 03:30, the last at 21:56. The fastest bus covers the 152 miles (246 km) distance in 4h 10m.
Distance 152 miles (246 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 42m |
Cheapest ticket price €8 |
Buses per day 7 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 4h 10m |
First bus 3:30 AM |
Last bus 9:56 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Varese — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Varese trip today.
Municipal art museum inside a medieval castle, showing frescoes, paintings, and decorative arts tied to Varese's local history.
Museum in a lakeside Liberty villa presenting contemporary works and exhibitions in one of Varese's most architecturally distinctive settings.
Archaeological displays in a former monastery at Sacro Monte, illuminating regional prehistory and the long settlement of the Varese area.
Scenic lakeside nature route through reeds and woodland on Lake Varese. Popular for walking, cycling, and sunset views.
Grand public gardens behind Palazzo Estense, loved for flowerbeds, fountains, and a calm promenade near the center.
Central pedestrian avenue lined with shops and historic buildings. It is ideal for a first walk through the city's daily life.
Creamy risotto cooked with local asparagus from Cantello, prized in the Varese area for its delicate flavor and spring harvest tradition.
Slow-braised donkey stew, a Lombard specialty found around Varese, traditionally served with polenta and valued for its rustic mountain character.
Soft polenta enriched with local Alpine cheeses, common in Varese's prealpine cuisine and loved as a hearty cold-season comfort dish.
Elegant Michelin-starred dining in nearby Sacro Monte, known for refined seasonal cuisine and a polished historic setting.
Historic lakeside restaurant in Varese, appreciated for seafood, classic Italian dishes, and a traditional atmosphere by Lake Varese.
Well-known casual spot in Varese serving Lombard and Italian staples, valued for reliable cooking and a welcoming local feel.
Moderate for northern Italy. Hotels and dining cost more than smaller towns, but local transit and casual meals are reasonable for most visitors.
Service may be included via coperto. Rounding up or leaving 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants. Taxis are usually rounded up. Small change is fine in cafes.
Official public transport app
Varese - stazione FS (piazzale Trieste/c -> Piazza Monte Grappa, Varese
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bologna to Varese by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Varese, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Bologna to Varese buses use the Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre) to Varese, Piazzale Fratelli Kennedy station pair. Use this guide to compare Bologna and Varese bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre) is 1 km from Bologna city centre. Public transport options include:
Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Autostazione (in the station), Trattoria del Rosso (0.5 km), Osteria Broccaindosso (0.7 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre).
Available at Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre): Elevators, ramps.
Varese, Piazzale Fratelli Kennedy has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafes and eateries nearby.
Wi-Fi is available at Varese, Piazzale Fratelli Kennedy. ATMs are available at Varese, Piazzale Fratelli Kennedy.
Ticket office support is available at Varese, Piazzale Fratelli Kennedy.
Available at Varese, Piazzale Fratelli Kennedy: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Varese, Piazzale Fratelli Kennedy: Ramps available for wheelchair access.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need