- Must visit
Palazzo Borromeo Museum
Museum spaces inside Palazzo Borromeo display period interiors, paintings, tapestries, and collections in one of Lake Maggiore’s grandest residences.
Cheapest price on Sep 20
$30
Average ticket price on Sep 20
$31
Fastest journey on Sep 20
4 h 46 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
4 h 55 m
Trains on Sep 20
2
Distance
269 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Bologna to Stresa is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bologna to Stresa will cost around $31 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $30.
On Sun, Sep 20, we found 2 trains from Bologna to Stresa, including 2 direct services.
On Sun, Sep 20 the direct trains cover the 269 km distance in an average of 4 h 55 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 46 m .
On Sun, Sep 20 the slowest trains will take 5 h 3 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 Stresa among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $25 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 14m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $25, while a flight costs an average of $586.
Distance: 167 miles (269 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$25 Average price Cheapest | $586 Average price | $28 Average price | $62 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 14m Average total duration Fastest 2h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 4m Average total duration 3h 4m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 49m Average total duration 4h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 21m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Bologna to Stresa:
A train is $3 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Bologna to Stresa costing on average $28.
A train is $561 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Bologna to Stresa costing on average $586.
Other travel options to Stresa take longer:
Flight takes on average 3h 4m.
Bus takes on average 4h 19m.
The journey is about 37m faster (2h 44m by train vs 3h 21m by car) and roughly $36 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($25 vs $62). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Bologna to Stresa trains for tomorrow, Sunday, September 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1:50 PM Bologna | 4h46 | 6:36 PM Stresa | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:33 PM Bologna | 5h03 | 8:36 PM Stresa | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight 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.
Trains from Bologna to Stresa run on average 61 times per day, taking around 2h 44m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $11 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 04:39, the last at 20:49. The fastest train covers the 167 miles (269 km) distance in 2h 13m.
Distance 167 miles (269 km) |
Average train duration 2h 44m |
Cheapest ticket price $11 |
Trains per day 61 |
Fastest train 2h 13m |
First train 4:39 AM |
Last train 8:49 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 49 days |
Discover the best of Stresa — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Stresa trip today.
Museum spaces inside Palazzo Borromeo display period interiors, paintings, tapestries, and collections in one of Lake Maggiore’s grandest residences.
Historic house museum preserving philosopher Antonio Rosmini’s rooms, library, and manuscripts, important for Italian religious and intellectual history.
Gallery route within Isola Madre’s palace showing seventeenth-century furnishings, portraits, and domestic collections in an intimate island setting.
Stresa’s scenic waterfront promenade offers lake views, island panoramas, hotels, gardens, and easy walking between the ferry area and parks.
Lakeside park and zoological garden estate with mature trees, viewpoints, and broad lawns, popular for families and relaxed walks.
Garden terraces on Isola Bella showcase Baroque design, statues, and dramatic lake views; among the area’s most photographed outdoor spaces.
A rich baked dish of local chestnuts, milk, cocoa, sugar and rosemary. It is a historic Lake Maggiore dessert tied to mountain chestnut culture.
Delicate fresh pasta stuffed with braised meat, vegetables and cheese, common across Piedmont and often served with roast juices or butter and sage.
Traditional Novara and Lake Maggiore risotto cooked with Arborio rice, often enriched with local butter, wine and seasonal ingredients from Piedmont.
Elegant Michelin-starred dining inside Villa E Palazzo Aminta, known for refined Italian tasting menus and a formal lakeside setting.
Historic fine dining restaurant on Isola Bella, celebrated for classic Piedmont and lake fish dishes in a romantic, long-established setting.
Well-known traditional restaurant in Stresa serving Piedmont specialties, pasta and lake fish in a polished but approachable atmosphere.
Moderate for Lake Maggiore: hotels often cost more in peak season, while dining is mid-range and ferries and trains are reasonably priced.
Service is often included. Rounding up or leaving 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants. Round up for taxis; small change is enough in cafés.
Official public transport app
Stresa Railway Station -> Piazza Cadorna, Stresa
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bologna to Stresa by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Stresa, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Bologna to Stresa trains use the Bologna Centrale to Stresa station pair. Use this guide to compare Bologna and Stresa train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Bologna Centrale is 1 km from Bologna city centre. Public transport options include:
Bologna Centrale has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Burger King, A Cafè, VyTA Boulangerie, Venchi, Scambio, Juice Bar, KFC, Dispensa Emilia, Lavazza, Mokà, & more
Free Wi-Fi. . ATMs are aTM is located in the main hall.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 21:00. Information desks are customer service center is on the ground floor and open every day from 06:30 to 23:00.
Luggage storage is luggage facility, open daily from 07:00 to 22:00, is located in front of binario 7 Ovest (Track 7 West).
Available at Bologna Centrale: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bologna Centrale: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bologna Centrale: Accessible facilities including barrier-free restrooms, elevators and ramps. Sala Blu mobility assistance available from 07:45 to 22:30 with advanced one-hour notice.
Nearby hotels include Starhotels Excelsior, Millenn Hotel Bologna, UNA Hotels.
Stresa has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Ristorante LaStresa, Osteria Mercato
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Stresa. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Stresa. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Stresa: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Stresa: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Stresa: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees, Hotel La Palma, Regina Palace Hotel.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need