- Must visit
Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna
Major art museum with important Emilian paintings from the 13th to 18th centuries, including works by Giotto, Raffaello, and the Carracci.
Cheapest price
$9
Average price
$13
Fastest journey
1 h 35 m
Average duration
1 h 39 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
81 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Bologna Centrale is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Bologna Centrale will cost around $13 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $9.
Of the 5 buses that leave Florence Santa Maria Novella for Bologna Centrale on Sun, Jun 14, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 14 the direct buses cover the 81 km distance in an average of 1 h 39 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 35 m .
On Sun, Jun 14 the slowest buses will take 1 h 45 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.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
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FlixBus
FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Bologna Centrale among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $9. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 17m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $9, and a train costs an average of $12.
Distance: 50 miles (81 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$13 Average price Cheapest | $16 Average price | $32 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 2m Average total duration 1h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 47m Average total duration Fastest 1h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 19m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Bologna Centrale:
A bus is $3 (€3) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Bologna Centrale costing on average $16 (€13).
Other travel options to Bologna Centrale take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 32m.
Tickets start at around $13 (€11) compared to roughly $32 (€26) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $19 (€16). The journey takes 1h 32m versus 1h 19m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Itabus, Appennino Shuttle, FlixBus, BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus, Infobus, Busitalia.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:05AM | Arrival Time 02:45AM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:15AM | Arrival Time 03:55AM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $13 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:50AM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:55AM | Arrival Time 06:30AM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:40AM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 07:10AM | Arrival Time 09:50AM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 08:10AM | Arrival Time 10:50AM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $13 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 08:28AM | Arrival Time 10:50AM | Duration 2h22 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 08:37AM | Arrival Time 11:05AM | Duration 2h28 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 10:20AM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 09:09AM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 2h41 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 09:10AM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:50AM | Arrival Time 10:50AM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 10:20AM | Arrival Time 12:50PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 10:28AM | Arrival Time 12:50PM | Duration 2h22 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 11:37AM | Arrival Time 01:50PM | Duration 2h13 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 11:38AM | Arrival Time 01:50PM | Duration 2h12 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 12:37PM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 2h13 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 03:10PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 05:20PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 08:55PM | Duration 1h55 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 09:05PM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 09:20PM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:10PM | Arrival Time 09:20PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:15PM | Arrival Time 11:00PM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:40PM | Arrival Time 11:15PM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 11:00PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:15PM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:20PM | Arrival Time 11:40PM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:40PM | Arrival Time 12:15AM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:15PM | Arrival Time 01:00AM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:40PM | Arrival Time 01:15AM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $12 |
The table below shows live departures for Florence Santa Maria Novella to Bologna Centrale buses for today, Saturday, June 13. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 11:15 PM Firenze, Piazzale Montelungo | 1h45 | 1:00 AM Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 11:40 PM Firenze, Piazzale Montelungo | 1h35 | 1:15 AM Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, June 14 | |||||
FlixBus | 1:05 AM Firenze, Piazzale Montelungo | 1h40 | 2:45 AM Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 2:15 AM Firenze, Piazzale Montelungo | 1h40 | 3:55 AM Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:55 AM Firenze, Piazzale Montelungo | 1h35 | 6:30 AM Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre) | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Florence Santa Maria Novella to Bologna Centrale run on average 14 times per day, taking around 1h 32m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $9 (€7) if you book in advance.
There are 6 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:05. The fastest bus covers the 50 miles (81 km) distance in 1h 35m.
Distance 50 miles (81 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 32m |
Cheapest ticket price $9 (€7) |
Buses per day 14 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 1h 35m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:05 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Discover the best of Bologna Centrale — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bologna Centrale trip today.
Major art museum with important Emilian paintings from the 13th to 18th centuries, including works by Giotto, Raffaello, and the Carracci.
Important archaeological museum with Egyptian, Etruscan, Greek, and Roman collections in a historic central building.
Bologna’s leading modern and contemporary art museum, known for rotating exhibitions and the Morandi collection.
Bologna’s main square and social heart, surrounded by major historic buildings and a top starting point for exploring.
The city’s celebrated portico walk leading toward San Luca, especially popular for scenic walks and photos.
Beautiful square in front of the Santo Stefano complex, loved for its elegant and photogenic atmosphere.
Fresh egg tagliatelle served with Bologna’s classic slow-cooked meat ragù. It is one of the city’s signature dishes and a cornerstone of local Sunday cooking.
Small hand-folded pasta filled with pork, prosciutto, and Parmigiano Reggiano, traditionally served in rich capon or beef broth. It is especially linked to festive meals in Bologna.
Bolognese-style lasagna made with green spinach pasta sheets, ragù, béchamel, and Parmigiano Reggiano. It is a classic celebratory baked pasta from the city.
Well-regarded traditional restaurant celebrated for seasonal ingredients, handmade pasta, and authentic regional dishes. Intimate setting with a strong reputation among food lovers.
Charming long-running restaurant set in a distinctive historic space, serving Bolognese and Italian classics with polished hospitality. Good for a relaxed but memorable dinner.
Historic trattoria known for classic Bolognese cooking such as tortellini, tagliatelle al ragù, and lasagne. Warm, traditional atmosphere and a longstanding local reputation.
Moderate for Italy: cafes and casual meals are reasonable, while central hotels and fine dining cost more.
Service is often included or modest. Tipping is not required, but rounding up or leaving 5-10% for very good restaurant service is appreciated. Round up taxis slightly.
Official public transport app
Bologna Centrale -> Piazza Maggiore, Bologna
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Bologna Centrale 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 Bologna Centrale, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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