- Must visit
Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna
The city’s main fine arts museum, known for important Emilian paintings from the 13th to 18th centuries, including works by Giotto, Raphael and the Carracci.
Cheapest price
$24
Average price
$24
Fastest journey
4 h 40 m
Average duration
4 h 40 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
246 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Varese to Bologna is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Varese to Bologna will cost around $24 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $24.
It's difficult to get from Varese to Bologna without transferring at least once.
083 · 055
083 · 055Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Varese to Bologna among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $12. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 49m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $12, and a train costs an average of $20.
Distance: 152 miles (246 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$16 Average price Cheapest | $27 Average price | $81 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 19m Average total duration 3h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 19m Average total duration Fastest 2h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 56m 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 Varese to Bologna:
A bus is $11 (€9) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Varese to Bologna costing on average $27 (€22).
Other travel options to Bologna take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 49m.
Tickets start at around $16 (€13) compared to roughly $81 (€66) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $65 (€53). The journey takes 3h 49m versus 2h 56m 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 BlaBlaCar.
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 BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:40AM | Arrival Time 06:20AM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 04:43AM | Arrival Time 11:45AM | Duration 7h02 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:50AM | Arrival Time 07:20AM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator Trenitalia | Departure Time 06:17AM | Arrival Time 01:40PM | Duration 7h23 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator Trenitalia | Departure Time 06:39AM | Arrival Time 01:40PM | Duration 7h01 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator Trenitalia | Departure Time 06:46AM | Arrival Time 01:40PM | Duration 6h54 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 11:30AM | Duration 3h30 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:10AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 12:40PM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:20AM | Arrival Time 12:50PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 3h10 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 03:00PM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 2h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 2h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 01:43PM | Arrival Time 06:53AM | Duration 17h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:10PM | Arrival Time 05:30PM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 02:17PM | Arrival Time 06:53AM | Duration 16h36 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 05:30PM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 02:43PM | Arrival Time 06:53AM | Duration 16h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 03:17PM | Arrival Time 06:53AM | Duration 15h36 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 03:43PM | Arrival Time 06:53AM | Duration 15h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 04:17PM | Arrival Time 06:53AM | Duration 14h36 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator Marino Autolinee | Departure Time 04:40PM | Arrival Time 09:20PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 04:43PM | Arrival Time 06:53AM | Duration 14h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator RegioJet a.s. | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 09:15AM | Duration 40h15 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $189 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 05:17PM | Arrival Time 06:53AM | Duration 13h36 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Marino Autolinee | Departure Time 05:40PM | Arrival Time 10:20PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 05:43PM | Arrival Time 06:53AM | Duration 13h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 06:17PM | Arrival Time 06:53AM | Duration 12h36 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Marino Autolinee | Departure Time 06:40PM | Arrival Time 11:20PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 06:43PM | Arrival Time 06:53AM | Duration 12h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 10:20PM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 07:17PM | Arrival Time 06:53AM | Duration 11h36 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 07:43PM | Arrival Time 06:53AM | Duration 11h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 08:17PM | Arrival Time 06:53AM | Duration 10h36 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:30PM | Arrival Time 11:20PM | Duration 2h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 08:43PM | Arrival Time 06:53AM | Duration 10h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Regionale | Departure Time 09:17PM | Arrival Time 06:53AM | Duration 9h36 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
The table below shows live departures for Varese to Bologna buses for tomorrow, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
083 · 055 | 6:40 PM Varese, Piazzale Fratelli Kennedy | 4h40 | 11:20 PM Bologna, Autostazione (Piazza XX Settembre) | 1 transfer | |
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 Varese to Bologna run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 49m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $12 (€10) if you book in advance.
There are 4 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 03:10, the last at 22:20. The fastest bus covers the 152 miles (246 km) distance in 4h 40m.
Distance 152 miles (246 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 49m |
Cheapest ticket price $12 (€10) |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 4 |
Fastest bus 4h 40m |
First bus 3:10 AM |
Last bus 10:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 5 days |
Discover the best of Bologna — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bologna trip today.
The city’s main fine arts museum, known for important Emilian paintings from the 13th to 18th centuries, including works by Giotto, Raphael and the Carracci.
Bologna’s leading modern and contemporary art museum, with strong permanent collections and rotating exhibitions in a large converted industrial space.
A major archaeological museum with Etruscan, Egyptian, Greek and Roman collections, housed in a historic palace near Piazza Maggiore.
Bologna’s main square and social heart, surrounded by major civic and religious buildings, ideal for first-time visitors and people-watching.
The world-famous covered walkway leading toward the San Luca sanctuary, popular for scenic walks, photography and local tradition.
One of the city’s most elegant and photogenic squares, fronting the Santo Stefano complex and loved for its atmospheric character.
Fresh egg pasta ribbons served with Bologna’s traditional slow-cooked meat ragù. It is one of the city’s most iconic dishes and differs from the tomato-heavy versions found abroad.
Small ring-shaped pasta filled with meat and served in rich capon or beef broth. This is a classic Bolognese comfort dish, especially tied to festive family meals.
Layered baked pasta with ragù, béchamel, and Parmigiano Reggiano, often made with green spinach pasta sheets. It is a signature Emilia-Romagna Sunday dish.
Highly regarded neighborhood trattoria known for careful ingredient sourcing and excellent handmade pasta, with a cozy and authentic feel.
Well-known romantic restaurant serving refined Emilian and Bolognese cuisine in an intimate former pharmacy space with polished service.
Very popular traditional osteria known for classic Bolognese pasta dishes in a lively, casual setting close to the university area.
Moderate by Italian standards: food and coffee are reasonable, while central hotels cost more in peak season.
Service is often included or covered by coperto. Tipping is not required; round up or leave EUR 1-5 for good service. Taxis are usually rounded up.
Official public transport app
Bologna Centrale, Bologna -> Piazza Maggiore, Bologna
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Varese to Bologna 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, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need