Metropolitan mobility: integrated connections for people and businesses

Bologna is easily accessible and highly connected both nationally and internationally through:

• Marconi International Airport, with direct flights to major European cities.
• A major national railway hub, offering high-speed connections to Italy’s main cities and extensive links to smaller towns across the metropolitan area and the Emilia-Romagna region.

A comprehensive road and highway network, placing Bologna at the heart of key European corridors.

Mobility within the metropolitan area relies on an extensive public transport network that links cities, towns, and villages, enabling fast and sustainable travel.

The Metropolitan Railway Service (SFM) – the backbone of local mobility. This suburban rail network connects most surrounding municipalities to Bologna city centre in just minutes, cutting traffic and travel times. The SFM offers different types of subscriptions, with prices calculated based on the route rather than the type of vehicle. Bikes are allowed on SFM trains for an additional fee.

Bus transport – an integrated network of urban and suburban routes with coordinated timetables and digital solutions for e-ticketing and real-time travel updates.

Marconi Express – a rapid transit system linking Bologna G. Marconi Airport in Borgo Panigale with Bologna Centrale high-speed station, with an intermediate stop at the Lazzaretto university campus.

Innovative mobility solutions under development include:

• four next-generation tram lines connecting strategic districts, university hubs, and industrial areas;
• multimodal interchange hubs to facilitate seamless transfers between trains, buses, bicycles, and car-sharing services.

Within the Metropolitan City of Bologna, cycling paths form a continually expanding network designed to connect residential areas, industrial zones, and educational hubs with safe and sustainable routes. This network integrates with the railway and public transport system, supporting daily commuting and school travel while promoting slow tourism along rivers, hills, and historic roads.

The Metropolitan City of Bologna hosts Italy’s first metropolitan-level cycling network project. The Bicipolitana of Bologna covers over 1,000 km of routes, divided into two main networks: one for daily commuting and one for leisure. This infrastructure encourages cycling by providing safe and continuous routes, promoting active mobility (bikes, e-bikes, scooters) for both commuting and tourism.

Within the city of Bologna, there is also a Ridemovi bike-sharing service (free-flow, with at least 500 pedal bikes with 3-speed gears, at least 1,800 e-bikes, and around 200 dedicated parking hubs) and two car-sharing services: Enjoy (100 gasoline vehicles) and Corrente (240 electric cars). Services are accessible via apps for iOS and Android.

Thanks to these infrastructures and sustainability policies, moving around the metropolitan area means benefiting from efficiency and environmental awareness, with a constantly evolving mobility offering.

Car use is regulated through Limited Traffic Zones (ZTLs) in many municipalities, i.e. areas where access is restricted to certain categories of vehicles, either permanently or during certain hours. In Bologna’s historic centre, restrictions apply daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Numerous car parks are available throughout the city, including park-and-ride facilities for public and private transport.

In many of the municipalities in the area, there is also a 30 km/h speed limit, particularly on roads within built-up areas. Bologna is the first major Italian city to become a Città 30.

Find out which roads have a 30 km/h speed limit and which ones remain at 50 km/h.

Ongoing infrastructure projects include new tram lines connecting Bologna’s districts. While construction is underway, traffic diversions are in place—updates are available on the dedicated tram website.