Bologna to Milano / Milan / Mailand by train

Final Destination: Milano or Torino

The high speed, AV train service, between Bologna and Milano is split between these Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia; and alternative Italo trains operated by NTV
Most of these Frecce trains are non-stop from Bologna Centrale to Milano Centrale.

Also be aware that some Frecce trains arrive at other stations in Milano and not Milano Centrale, so take care when looking up this journey.
Taking these trains to Milano Rogoredo can be a good option if your train journey will be concluding in Milan city centre.
The trains will call at Milano Rogoredo around 15 mins before they arrive at Milano Centrale.

Milano Rogoredo station is on Line M3 of the Milano Metro (the the same line also links Milano Centrale station to the heart of the city).
If you'll be heading to Duomo station, which lives up to its name with a location by Milano cathedral, the end-to-end journey will likely be quicker if you make the connection into the Metro at Milano Rogoredo.

Milano Rogoredo is also connected to the city centre by frequent local commuter trains, which make calls at several stations including: Repubblica and Porta Venezia.

Book early and save: Yes

**Online bookings open: 4 months ahead of the travel date

Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.

The high speed train service between Bologna and Milano Centrale is provided by:

• These Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia. and
• Italo trains operated by NTV

Some Frecce and Italo trains arrive at other stations in Milano and not Milano Centrale.
If you will be travelling to Milano Centrale then use this specific station when looking up tickets and prices.

Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale around 4 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are made available around 5 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains; and Italo does not sell tickets for the Trenitalia trains.

If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce and Italo trains can be directly compared on Trainline or Omio; though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.

Complimentary seat reservations are included when booking tickets for either of these train services.

Travelling from Bologna to Milano with a rail pass:

If you're happy to pay the €10 rail pass reservation fee to travel by 'Frecce' trains, then target these Frecciarossa and Frecciarossa 1000 trains; and take care to avoid the slower Frecciabianca trains - see below.

Though, the rail pass reservation fee, can be avoided if you take the Intercity train.

Final Destination: Milano or Torino

These Italo trains, operated by NTV, compete with the Frecce trains, operated by Trenitalia, on the high speed line between these cities.

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: around 5 months ahead of the travel date

Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.

The high speed AV train service between and Bologna and Milano Centrale* station is provided by these Italo trains and Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia.
Some Frecce and Italo trains arrive at other stations in Milano and not Milano Centrale.
If you will be travelling to Milano Centrale then use this specific station when looking up tickets and prices.

Tickets for the Trenitalia trains are placed on sale around 4 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are typically made available around 5 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains; and Italo does not sell tickets for the Trenitalia trains.

If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce and Italo trains can be directly compared on Trainline or Omio; though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.

Complimentary seat reservations are included when booking tickets for either of these train services.

Rail passes are not valid on these Italo trains.

Final Destination: Milano

These trains also call at: Piacenza

Unlike the other Frecce services these Frecciabianca trains don't travel on the high speed line from Bologna to Milano, but because they're slower, you can usually save money by targeting them; and as tickets for the Intercity trains from Bologna to Milano can't apparently be booked online, they're usually the cheapest express train option on this route.

However, avoid these trains if you will be travelling from Bologna to Milan with a rail pass.
If you're happy to pay the €10 rail pass reservation fees, you'll have a much faster journey, at the same price, if you take those faster Frecce trains instead.

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: 4 months ahead of the travel date

These trains are around an hour slower than the high speed trains, but if travelling at the cheapest possible price is your primary criteria, then these trains can be worth considering.

The most heavily discounted tickets inevitably sell out faster on the high speed trains, so these Freccibianca trains can be more than €10 cheaper.

If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead you can most easily compare the price of these Frecciabianca trains with both the other Frecce trains and the Italo trains on Trainline or Omio; though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.

Final Destination: Milano

These trains also call at: Piacenza

These InterCity (IC) trains are more than 1hr 20 mins slower than the high speed trains.
That's because in common with the slower trains from Bologna to Milano, they don't take the high speed line between the two cities.

But because they're also slower than those Frecciabianca trains, the ticket agents usually logically assume that ticket purchasers looking to save money would rather take those trains.
However, if you will be travelling in Italy with a Eurail or InterRail pass, you can save €10 by targeting these IC trains.

Target these IC trains if you want to save €10 on rail pass reservation fees.
Though if you'll want the peace of mind of being able to remain in the same seat for the entire journey, paying the optional €3 reservation fee is virtually essential.