Route guide

Madrid → Bologna

1313 km · Spain to Italy · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €42+ by bus

How to travel from Madrid to Bologna

There are 4 ways to travel between Madrid and Bologna — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€94–276

Duration: 10h 56m

via Renfe (AVE), Trenitalia (Frecciarossa), Italo

~18 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€42–112

Duration: 18h 45m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~37 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€88–278

Duration: 4h 15m

via Ryanair, easyJet, Iberia, Vueling, ITA Airways

~205 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€158–289

Duration: 14h 35m

~223 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

Madrid and Bologna highlighted among the 50 European cities we cover. Map is schematic, not to scale.

Travel tips for this route

At 1313 km it's a longer journey — overnight stay strongly recommended.
Both train and flight options exist. Trains often beat flights door-to-door under 600 km once you count airport overhead.
This route crosses from Spain into Italy. Check passport/ID requirements with your operator before booking.
Long-distance coaches (FlixBus and similar) are typically 30–50% cheaper than train, but 2–3× slower.

Madrid to Bologna — every option in detail

Madrid to Bologna by train

Trains link Madrid (Spain) and Bologna (Italy) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 10h 56m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Renfe (AVE), Trenitalia (Frecciarossa), Italo.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €94 to €276. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 18 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 205 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~187 kg on this distance.

Madrid to Bologna by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Madrid and Bologna with a typical journey of 18h 45m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €42 when booked in advance, rising to €112 for last-minute travel.

Most modern coaches offer Wi-Fi, USB charging and reclining seats. Overnight services exist on longer corridors and can save a hotel night.

Madrid to Bologna by flight

Flights between Madrid and Bologna take around 2h in the air, but plan on roughly 4h 15m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, Iberia, Vueling, ITA Airways.

Typical fare range is €88–278. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 205 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Madrid to Bologna by car

The driving distance from Madrid to Bologna is approximately 1510 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 14h 35m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €158–289 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Spain–Italy border by car is straightforward within the Schengen Area; check current rules with the operator or border authority if either country is outside it.

Climate footprint: approximately 223 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Madrid and Bologna is approximately 1313 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Both cities have international airports with regular flight service. Long-distance coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative on this route. Estimates below reflect typical operator schedules and fare ranges; book in advance for the best prices.

↔ Reverse: Bologna to Madrid All routes from Madrid All routes to Bologna