Related Content
Content
Bologna to Padova / Padua by train
How to take a rail journey from Bologna to Padova/Padua
Despite Padova being comparative close to Bologna, there are multiple options to consider when taking the train on this route; despite the fact all of the trains travel along the same 'classic' railway line between these two cities.
The variances in speed are due to the number of intermediate station calls made by each group of services.
-
If you're going to be booking tickets last minute at the station, the the typically best option is to hop on board the Regionale Veloce (RGV) trains.
They'll be (much) cheaper and the lack of the availability of seat reservations won't be a problem, as they commence their journeys in Bologna. -
If you can book ahead and won't being committed to a specific departure, you can travel in style on the Frecce or Italo trains despite the lack of a high speed line on this route.
The cheapest advance tickets can be good value for money, though the Italo trains tend to be cheaper than Frecce trains.
Share
Routes
Option 1: taking the RGV trains
Journey Summary
1hr 25 min (approx)
Daily
Travel Information
1 x train per hour
Tickets
Book early and save: No
Tickets will cost the same price if purchased at the station immediately before departure.
So if you will be buying tickets at the station just before departure these Regionale Veloce (RGV/RV) trains will be around 50% of the price of the faster Frecce and Italo trains.
However, if you can book at least a couple of days ahead and the departure times of the afternoon/evening Frecciabianca trains suit, they can be cheaper; and you will have a complimentary seat reservation on those trains
Rail pass users can take these trains and avoid the €10 rail pass reservation fee on the Frecce trains.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trenitalia | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
If you want to make a spontaneous day trip by train from Bologna to Padua/Padova then taking these trains is the best option.
They'll be at least €7 cheaper than the alternative services and the journey time isn't much slower.
These Regionale Veloce (RV) trains also commence their journeys in Bologna, so despite reservations not being available, finding spare seats won't be a problem.
This is a scenically uninteresting journey across flat farm land, so having with you to watch or read is recommended.
Option 2: taking the Frecce trains
Journey Summary
57min (Frecce trains)
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Venezia or Trieste or Udine
Nearly all of these faster 'Frecce' services are non-stop between Bologna and Padova, it's why they are quicker than the alternative Frecciabianca and Regionale Veloce (RGV) services.
1 - 2 x trains per hour
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 4 months ahead of the travel date
The express train service between Bologna and Padova/Padua is provided by;
- these Italo trains,
- Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia
Booking ahead
Taking these trains on this route can be good value if you are able to book a couple of months in advance and are therefore able to obtain the cheapest possible price; and are happy to commit to taking a specific departure.
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale 4 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are made available 5 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains and Italo does not sell tickets for the Frecce 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.
These Italo trains tend to be slightly cheaper than the Frecce trains on this route.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| ItaliaRail | from €14.90 | |
| Trenitalia | from €14.90 | |
| SaveATrain | from €14.90 | |
| Omio | from €14.90 | |
| Trainline | from €14.90 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
These trains now depart from the binari (platforms/tracks) in the AV station, even though there is no high speed line between Bologna and Padova/Padua.
So if you will be taking a taxi to Bologna Centrale, ask the driver to drop you there.
Option 3: taking the Italo trains
Journey Summary
1hr 4 min
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Venezia or Trieste or Udine
These trains will make only one intermediate station call in either Ferrara or Rovigo
7 x trains per day
Tickets
Online bookings open: 5 months ahead of the travel date
The express train service between Bologna and Padova/Padua is provided by;
- these FASTER Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia,
- Italo trains.
However, there are also slower Regionale Veloce (RGV/RV) trains - if you will be booking tickets at the station on the day of travel, you'll save at least €10s if you take those RGV/RV trains.**
Booking ahead
Taking these trains on this route can be good value if you are able to book a couple of months in advance and are therefore able to obtain the cheapest possible price; and are happy to commit to taking a specific departure.
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale 4 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are made available 5 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains and Italo does not sell tickets for the Frecce 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.
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.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Italo | * | |
| Trainline | * | |
| Omio | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
These trains now depart from the binari (platforms/tracks) in the AV station, even though there is no high speed line between Bologna and Padova/Padua.
So if you will be taking a taxi to Bologna Centrale, ask the driver to drop you there.
Newsletter
Sign up to receive the latest travel news stories and to hear about what we've been working on for you.
See if there’s a unique journey guide for your trip, featuring info on the trains, tickets & stations.
This is one of more than 1000 journey guides available on ShowMeTheJourney, which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.
