€1.50 plus a short walk beats any airport shuttle price
Tper 944 is the standard urban bus linking Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) with the city’s western suburbs, but the catch is important: the route does not enter the terminal area at T1. You’ll need to walk roughly 10–15 minutes from Arrivals along the main road toward Via del Triumvirato to reach the nearest 944 stop, so this fits people who care more about a low fare than doorstep access.
A single Tper urban ticket currently costs about €1.50–€2.00 when bought in advance at a tabacchi or vending machine, and it’s valid for 75 minutes across the city network, including line 944. If you buy from the driver, expect a small surcharge of around €0.50, and have coins or small notes ready; drivers don’t love breaking large bills.
Line 944 typically runs every 15–30 minutes during daytime, with reduced frequency in the late evening after about 21:00. The bus operates as a normal city line, so there’s all-door boarding where validated tickets are required. Check the schedule posted at the roadside stop on Via del Triumvirato; Italian-only timetables are common, so note “feriale” (weekdays) vs “festivo” (Sundays/holidays).
To reach central Bologna, most people ride Tper 944 a few stops and then switch to another bus at a hub like Borgo Panigale or along Via Emilia Ponente. Expect the combined trip from BLQ to Piazza Maggiore to take around 35–50 minutes depending on traffic and how neatly your connection lines up. During peak hours, buses fill up, so stand space only is normal.
Step-by-step from T1 Arrivals: 1) Exit baggage claim and walk out to the curb. 2) Follow signs or your map toward Via del Triumvirato; the walk is around 800–1,000 meters. 3) Stop at the first tabacchi or machine you see en route and buy a standard urban Tper ticket. 4) At the 944 stop, confirm the direction toward Bologna on the posted route map. 5) Board, stamp your ticket in the yellow machine within 1–2 minutes of getting on, and keep it handy for spot checks.
One practical tip: before you leave the terminal, download an offline map and screenshot the Tper 944 timetable; mobile data around BLQ can be patchy, and it’s easier than trying to parse a small paper schedule at the stop while the bus is pulling in.