Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) is the main airport of Bologna and the region of Emilia-Romagna in Italy and the closest major airport to Florence.
The airport is situated about 6 kilometers northwest of Bologna's city center. It is a mid-sized airport with over 3000 monthly flights to European, Middle Eastern, and North African destinations.
In 2024 Bologna Airport served almost 11 million passengers ranking as the seventh busiest in Italy.
Major Airlines - Ryanair, Neos,
Ryanair is the airline with the most flights at Bologna Airport. The Irish low-cost giant flies to over 40 cities in Europe and adds more seasonal destinations every year depending on demand.
The private Italian airline Neos also uses BLQ as a hub of operations although its main operating base is at Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). It focuses on providing direct flights to seaside holiday destinations in Egypt, Greece, and Spain.
Notable full-service airlines operating from BLQ encompass British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines.
To see a full list of airlines at Bologna Airport, click here.
Terminal Layout and Gates of Bologna Airport
Bologna Airport has a single terminal which was last expanded in 2013. It is a small facility with the typical layout for most airports:
Arrivals, baggage reclaim, and certain services on the Ground Floor.
Departures, including check-in counters and security checkpoints on the First Floor.
A Boarding Area after Security on the first floor with 24 departure gates. None of the gates have jetbridges and passengers are always bused to the aircraft.
Connecting Flights and Transit
Bologna Airport is not a major airport and virtually all flights there are point-to-point. This means that most transits are not guaranteed (separately booked tickets) and are the responsibility of the traveler.
Anyhow, if both of your flights are within the Schengen Area, you can just stay within the airside zone of Bologna Airport and go to your next gate. This is of course assuming that you are checked in and have a boarding pass for your next flight and don’t have any checked-in luggage.
If one of your flights is from/to a non-Schengen destination, you should follow standard arrival procedures and re-clear security for your onward flights.
See the best things to do in Bologna during a long layover.
Wi-Fi at BLQ
To connect to the free Wi-Fi network throughout Bologna Airport, select the "EmiliaRomagnaWiFi wifiprivacy.it" network. That’s it - you don’t have to authenticate and the connection is not limited in time!
Dining Options at BLQ
As a small airport, Bologna will not wow you with a selection of first-class restaurants but there are still around 10 places to choose from for food and drinks, so it’s not too bad either.
On the Ground Floor (Arrivals, public area), you can try the Vecchia Bologna Osteria - Restaurant - a rustic Italian restaurant serving delicacies from Emilia-Romagna coupled with very good wines.
A more unpretentious choice would be the Tentazioni - Snack Bar where you can grab a quick croissant, sandwich, or a coffee.
On the First Floor (Departures, Schengen), the best place to eat is Rustichelli & Mangione - a contemporary Mediterranean restaurant that has preserved its family recipes for over 40 years.
After Security, near the non-Schengen gates, you can give Vyta Bistrot - Restaurant a try. Especially recommended are their paninis, savory snacks, cheeses, and focaccias.
Lounges at Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport
The only lounge at the airport is the Marconi Business Lounge (MBL). It is a comfortable space to relax or work before a flight offering seating areas, free premium Wi-Fi, refreshments, and business facilities.
The MBL Lounge is located landside on the first floor. Access is available to those holding membership cards or a ticket with eligible airlines, though everyone else is welcome too, at 33 EUR per adult. The lounge operates daily from 05:00 to 21:00.
A notable perk to guests of the lounge is access to the BLQ Fitness Lounge - a brand new, fully equipped gym with the latest generation equipment, changing rooms, and showers. You can also call for a professional trainer!
Transport to and from Bologna Airport
Several transportation options connect the airport to Bologna and surrounding areas:
Marconi Express: An elevated monorail linking the airport to Bologna Centrale railway station. The journey takes approximately 7 minutes, with trains running every 7 minutes during peak times. The service operates from 05:40 to midnight every day. Buy a ticket from one of the automatic vending machines.
- Bus Services: Several public bus routes connect the airport to Bologna:
Bus Line 949 "Marconi Express" goes to Piazza Malpighi both day and night.
Bus Line 944 goes to Ospedale Maggiore during the day and Piazzale Medaglie d'Oro (near the Railway Station) during the night.
Bus Line 54 goes to Villaggio Speranza.
Buses also connect the airport to other cities in Italy like Ferrara, Firenze (Florence), Modena, and Rimini.
Taxis: The two official taxi companies serving Bologna Airport are Cotabo and Cat. Their taxis are available outside the terminal at any time during the day with an approximate fare to the city of 20-25 EUR.
Car Rentals: Car hire companies are located on the Ground Floor of the terminal. You can rent from major international companies like Hertz and Avis or local ones like Drivalia and Maggiore.
For private transfers from BLQ airport, click here.
Parking at BLQ Airport
Bologna Airport offers four car parks in close vicinity to the airport:
P1 Terminal Parking: Located directly in front of the terminal, with 60% covered spaces. The standard fare is 5 EUR per hour maxed at 17 EUR per day.
P2 Business Parking: A covered parking area very close to the terminal. Same parking fares as P1.
P3 Comfort Parking: Features 30% covered spaces and is only 200 meters from the terminal. Costs 13 EUR per day.
P4 Long Stay Parking: An uncovered parking lot about 1.5 km from the airport but connected via a frequent shuttle. Although the first day costs 30 EUR, additional days cost only 4 EUR, meaning P4 is the cheapest parking option for 3 days or longer.
Get up to 30% off by booking parking online at least 6 hours before you arrive.
For pick-ups and drop-offs, you are advised to use the Kiss&Fly zones, one located at each the Ground Floor and the First Floor. You can park there for free for up to 10 minutes.
Alternatively, the Express Parking zone is a paid short-term option. There, parking costs 2 EUR for 15 minutes or 3 EUR for 30 minutes.
Last but not least, if you are expecting a friend but don’t know exactly when they will land, you can wait in the Wait Zone for free for up to an hour. When the passenger arrives and contacts you, simply pick them up from the Kiss&Fly zone.
Hotels near Bologna Airport
No hotels exist inside the Terminal or within walking distance of the airport.
The closest hotel is FlyOn Hotel & Conference Center, about a 7-minute drive by car. They organize a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport at a set timetable. Click here for more airport hotels.
Regardless, it may be more convenient to stay in a hotel in the center of Bologna. The city is only about 7 kilometers away and there you will have a lot more choice and better value for money.
Bologna, Italy
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