€7.00 one-way gets you from BLQ to Bologna city
Nolo Bus runs a fixed-route shuttle between Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) and the city, built for people who are fine trading timetable freedom for a cheaper coach-style ride. Tickets usually sit around €7–€10 one-way, undercutting most taxis from T1 by a good margin, especially compared to a €20–€30 cab into central Bologna.
The shuttle leaves from just outside T1 arrivals, so you roll out of baggage claim and you’re at the bus bay in under 5 minutes on foot. The ride into town typically takes 20–30 minutes depending on traffic on the A14 and Tangenziale Nord, which is still shorter than peak-hour taxi slogs that can hit 35–40 minutes.
Nolo Bus runs on a set schedule with departures spaced roughly 20–30 minutes apart during daytime hours, so you need to check the timetable against your flight’s scheduled arrival or departure time. Services thin out later in the evening after roughly 22:00, which matters if you land on late Ryanair or Wizz Air runs into BLQ T1.
Tickets are usually sold online ahead of time and at kiosks or counters at BLQ, and you’ll need to show either a printed ticket or a QR code on your phone when boarding. A round-trip fare often comes in a couple of euros cheaper than buying two single tickets, so if your return flight leaves from BLQ T1 within a few days, lock both legs in one purchase.
How to ride Nolo Bus from BLQ T1
- 1. Land at BLQ and exit into T1 arrivals on the ground floor.
- 2. Walk 3–5 minutes outside following the “Bus” signs to the shuttle stop area.
- 3. Buy a ticket online before you land or at the airport for around €7–€10 one-way.
- 4. Check the posted timetable; aim for a bus 30–60 minutes after your scheduled landing to cover passport control and bags.
- 5. Queue up, show your ticket or QR code to the driver, then grab any open seat.
- 6. Ride 20–30 minutes into Bologna, then hop off at the central stop closest to your hotel or the main train station.
Tip: for early flights out of BLQ T1 before 08:00 or late arrivals after 22:00, pull the timetable the day before; if the gaps look tight, budget for a backup taxi so you’re not stuck on the curb watching tail lights on the A14.