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Thinking about taking the train from Barcelona to Bologna? We've got you covered.
It usually takes around 22 hours 57 minutes to travel the 822 km from Barcelona to Bologna by train, although you can get there in as little as 13 hours 10 minutes on the fastest services. You'll normally find around 12 trains per day running on this route. You'll need to make 3 changes along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line. You can travel on this route with either AVE, Frecciarossa or Renfe. As the main train operators on this route, all offer comfortable seating and plenty of space for luggage as standard.
Train tickets from Barcelona to Bologna start from $217.78 when you book in advance, which can be cheaper than buying them on the day. Start a search in our Journey Planner to check out the latest prices.
Keen to book your train tickets to Bologna? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to find out a bit more about the journey first, you can find our train schedule below, tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs, including first and last train times.
| First train | 8:14 am | |
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| Last train | 5:34 pm | |
| Departure station | Barcelona | |
| Arrival station | Bologna | |
| Journey time | From 13h 10m | |
| Distance | 511 miles (822 km) | |
| Frequency | 12 trains per day | |
| Changes | 3 changes | |
| Price | From $217.78 | |
| Train and bus operators | ALSA, Autolinee Federico, BlaBlaCar Bus, Flixbus, Itabus, Italo, Marino, Renfe, SNCF Voyageurs, TGV Lyria, Trenitalia, Trenord |
AVE is Renfe's flagship high-speed service, with trains capable of reaching up to 193 mph (310 km/h). It’s one of the fastest trains in Europe and connects the main cities of Spain. Most AVE trains offer two comfort classes – Estándard (Standard Class) and Confort (First Class equivalent, with 1-1 configuration, ultra-wide seats, gourmet food and drink and lounge access). All AVE trains have air conditioning, power sockets, free WiFi and a buffet carriage serving a selection of food and drinks. There are three fares for AVE services: the cheapest but least flexible Básico fare, the Elige fare (slightly pricier but more flexible), and the Premium fare for seats in Confort Class.
Renfe is the national train operator in Spain. It operates trains on the longest high-speed railway network in Europe, and the second-longest in the world. The country's major cities are linked up by the high-speed AVE and Avlo trains, while other long-distance routes are served by Altaria, Talgo, Alvia and Euromed trains. Renfe also operates cross-border services into neighbouring Portugal and France. Depending on which service you are travelling on, you'll usually find two classes on Renfe trains - Estándard (Standard Class) and Confort (First Class). Fare types range from the cheapest (but least flexible) Básico fare, to the more flexible Elige fares, to the Premium fare for seats in Confort carriages.
Italo is a high-speed train operator that runs services between many of the major cities across Italy. All Italo trains are modern, air conditioned, and have free WiFi available for all travellers. There are four comfort classes, or "ambiances", as Italo like to call them – Smart (the cheapest price), Comfort (with wider seats and extra legroom), Prima (with a welcome selection of food and drink, fast track boarding and extra space), and Executive Club (with all Prima services, extra-wide seats, access to Italo Club lounges and personal entertainment screens at your seat).
TGV Lyria links France to Switzerland and can travel at a maximum speed of 200 mph (320 km/h). Resulting from the collaboration between SNCF and SBB, TGV Lyria has three comfort classes on all trains. Standard (equivalent to the Second Class TGV, with comfortable seats), Standard 1ère (with more legroom and access to the SNCF show Grand Voyageur at the Gare de Lyon in Paris) and Business 1ère (available all week except Saturday, on some lines only).
Enjoy high-quality services including eco-leather reclining seats, fold-down tables and free WiFi, but at a cheaper price. Order food and drink from the FRECCIABistrò car or using the Easy Bistrò at-seat meal service.
Frecciarossa Premium offers more legroom and luggage space.
Frecciarossa Business offers extra legroom, glass dividers for privacy, a four-seat Salottino compartment, and a complimentary food box with fresh items and Illy espresso.
Frecciarossa Executive offers up to 10 spacious leather armchairs, ample legroom, lounge access, unlimited drinks, and rotating menus, including creations by Michelin-star chef Carlo Cracco.
Although Smart is Italo’s standard and cheapest class, you won’t miss out on the fantastic service! This class provides you with the following amenities:
In addition to all the perks of Italo Smart, Italo Prima also provides a little extra, such as a dedicated Fast Track service and a welcome service.
If you want to travel in style, upgrade to Italo Club Executive and enjoy dedicated catering service, personal screens, and free access to Italo Club Lounge.
In AVE's Estándar Class, you'll enjoy comfortable fuss-free travel. With baggage storage and air-conditioning throughout, there's access to their dining car (serving drinks and snacks) and seats are usually in a row of 2 or 4 around a table.
Onboard AVE's Confort Class, you’ll enjoy all the amenities of Estándar Class as well as extra perks, such as more legroom.
Most Regional trains don't have First or Second Class so the services offered on board are the same for all passengers.
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What special assistance is available? | If you need to request special assistance, you can call the toll-free number 800 90 60 60, which can be reached from a landline in Italy, or the national number +39 02 323232, which can be reached from a landline or mobile, even from abroad (international calling charges may apply). |
What else do I need to know? | Air-conditioning is available on board. You can also charge your devices thanks to the power outlets you can find at your seat. |
What baggage limits are there? |
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What food and drink is available? | While there’s no bar or restaurant car on Italo trains, you can use the vending machines on board to get snacks and drinks during your journey. |
What onboard entertainment is available? |
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What facilities are there for travel with children? |
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Can I bring a bike on board? |
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Can I bring pets on board? |
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What special assistance is available? | Priority seats for passengers with reduced mobility are available on Italo trains. They’re usually located next to an accessible toilet. All accessible toilets also have tactile and Braille signs. |
What else do I need to know? | Air-conditioning is available on all Italo trains, as well as power outlets at every seat. |
What baggage limits are there? | With AVE, you can take up to three baggage items, each up to 85 × 55 × 35 cm and 25 kg (290 cm total). Musical instruments are allowed up to 30 × 120 × 38 cm in a case. |
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What food and drink is available? | If you’d like to stretch your legs and grab a coffee during your journey, AVE trains have an onboard dining car. If you’d prefer to stay in your seat, AVE staff will pass through each car with a food and drink cart. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | On AVE trains, you can take advantage of PlayRenfe – their free WiFi and entertainment pass. Giving you access to exclusive content and fast connection speeds, PlayRenfe can be downloaded from the app store on your phone. Once you’re connected, you can access the PlayRenfe portal, where you’ll find exclusive live sport, news, films and TV series. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | Children under 3 years old travel for free with AVE, as long as they do not occupy a seat and have their free child ticket. Children from 3 to 14 years old can take advantage of a 40% discount on ticket prices. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | On all AVE trains, each passenger can take one bicycle or scooter on board, as long as it’s folded and carried inside a case. Also, the pedals must be removed and handlebars turned 90 degrees. If the sum of the dimensions of the case is less than 180cm (70.8 inches), it's considered as hand luggage. However, if it’s bigger, it will be considered as special luggage (max dimensions 120 x 90 x 40 cm or 47.2 x 35.4 x 15.7 inches). |
Can I bring pets on board? | With AVE, you can travel with a pet as long as it weighs no more than 10 kg (22 pounds) and travels inside a cage or carrier that measures max 60 x 35 x 35 cm (23 x 13 x 13 inches). Your pet must have their own pet ticket, unless you’re traveling with a Premium ticket, in which case the pet ticket is free. Guide and assistance dogs travel for free. |
What special assistance is available? | AVE offer a free assistance and care service for people with reduced mobility. To request the service, passengers should contact AVE directly. |
What baggage limits are there? |
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What food and drink is available? | At the moment, a restaurant service is not available on Trenitalia's regional trains. However, you can take your own food on board so pick up some snacks at the station before you set off. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | Trenitalia's regional trains do not offer an entertainment portal on board. However, you can make use of your internet data, as well as charge your devices thanks to the power outlets that are available at your seat. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | Kids under 4 can travel for free if they’re accompanied by an adult and a seat is not assigned to them. Children aged 4-11 can get 50% off. Older children will need to have a full-price ticket. |
Can I bring a bike on board? |
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Can I bring pets on board? |
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What special assistance is available? | If you need to request special assistance, you can call the toll-free number 800 90 60 60, which can be reached from a landline in Italy, or the national number +3902323232, which can be reached from a landline or mobile, even from abroad (international calling charges may apply). |
What else do I need to know? | Air-conditioning is available on Trenitalia's regional trains. |
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.