Getting to Ferrara: High-Speed Trains, Driving, Flying, and Everything You Need to Know Before You Travel
Using Ferrara as a Base: Day Trips by Train and Car
Ferrara is not just a destination. It is also an extraordinary starting point, geographically at the heart of a magnificent region: to the north lies Veneto and Venice, to the west Bologna, to the east the Po Delta and the Adriatic, and to the south Ravenna and Romagna. Sixteen centuries of history are right at your fingertips, and all around us, just minutes away by train or little more than an hour by car, lie some of the most beautiful cities in the world. Choosing to stay here allows you to craft a journey through Northern Italy without ever changing your base, without the hassle of packing and unpacking every day, and without wasting hours in transit. You set off in the morning, and in the evening, you return home. To Piazza Nova.
BOLOGNA
Chaotic to drive in, but incredibly easy to reach by train.
venezia
High-Speed Train · 55 mins
No parking hassles, and a convenient station for reaching the city centre.
Padova
High-Speed Train · 35 mins
Cappella degli Scrovegni, Prato della Valle, meno affollata di Venezia.
RAVENNA
Treno o auto · 45 min
Home to eight UNESCO World Heritage sites and breathtaking early Christian mosaics, all set within a peaceful city centre.
delta del po
Auto · 30–60 min
The Valli di Comacchio, the Lidi Ferraresi, and the Bosco della Mesola: untouched nature.
Mantova
Auto · 1h 15 min
Palazzo Ducale, Palazzo Te, and the city lakes. Best reached by car rather than train.
Bologna is beautiful, but driving through its narrow streets is frustrating: an extensive ZTL (Restricted Traffic Zone), expensive parking, and chaotic traffic. Many of our guests choose to leave their car in Ferrara and take the train to Bologna, arriving in just 30 minutes. It is always one of the most appreciated tips we share.
🚆How to reach Ferrara by Train: direct connections from across Italy
"Ferrara sits directly on theVenice–Naples high-speed rail line, the backbone of Italian cultural tourism. This is one of the things that surprises first-time visitors the most: Ferrara enjoys seamless connections to Naples, Rome, Florence, Bologna, Padua, and Venice—Italy’s most important cities of art, all on the very same line. You simply hop on the train in any of these cities and step off directly in Ferrara, with no detours, no changes, and no wasted time. It is an advantage that very few destinations can match.
The station is about 1.3 km from the historic centre—a 25-minute walk from our guest house, or just 15 minutes by the Line 1 bus.
| Città | Tempo | Mezzo |
|---|---|---|
| Bologna | ~30 min | Frecciarossa/Italo AV · ogni 30 min |
| Padova | ~35 min | Frecciarossa/Italo AV · diretto |
| Venezia | ~55 min | Frecciarossa/Italo AV · diretto |
| Firenze | ~1h 10 min | Frecciarossa/Italo AV · diretto |
| Roma | ~3h | Frecciarossa/Italo AV · diretto |
| Napoli | ~4h 20 min | Frecciarossa/Italo AV · diretto |
| Milano | ~2h 20 min | AV fino a Bologna + regionale (35 min) |
🚗How to Reach Ferrara by Car or Motorcycle: Motorways and Restricted Traffic Zones (ZTL)
Ferrara is served by the A13 Bologna–Padua motorway. Visitors arriving from the south (Bologna, Florence, Rome) should take the Ferrara Sud exit, while those coming from the north (Venice, Padua) should use Ferrara Nord. Both exits lead to the city centre in about fifteen minutes when traffic is clear. From the east (Ravenna, Adriatic coast), the standard routes across the Delta flow smoothly. From the west (Modena, Reggio Emilia), you can take the SS255 regional road or join the A13 motorway at Bologna.
The ZTL (Restricted Traffic Zone): to reach us, you do not need any driving permits
The historic centre features a ZTL (Restricted Traffic Zone) that covers the medieval quarter. However, Piazza Nova Guest House is located within the Addizione Erculea, outside the most restrictive area: you can drive directly to us by car or motorcycle without needing any special permits. Following your booking, we will send you the precise GPS coordinates to guide you straight to our entrance with complete ease.
Arriving in Ferrara by Motorcycle: Indoor Parking and Practical Tips
Ferrara is a highly popular destination for motorcyclists, especially during spring and autumn weekends. We offer a private, indoor motorcycle garage directly within the property, available for €10 per day: your bike will be completely safe, sheltered from the weather, and off the street. This is a rare service to find in the city centre, and we highlight it because, for anyone travelling on two wheels, it makes a world of difference. Please let us know at the time of booking if you are arriving by motorcycle, so we can ensure your space is kept free.
During Festivals and the Historic Palio
During the Palio weekends or the dates of the Ferrara Summer Festival, local traffic management changes and certain areas are temporarily closed. Please write to us beforehand: we will guide you on how to reach us completely stress-free during these special events.
How to Reach Ferrara by Air: The Closest Airports
✈️ From BOLOGNA BLQ
"You have two options: the Bus&Fly service connects the airport directly to Ferrara in around 60 minutes (tickets can be purchased online). Alternatively, the Marconi Express monorail takes you straight to Bologna Centrale station, where high-speed trains (AV) will whisk you to Ferrara in just about 30 minutes.
✈️ From Venezia Marco Polo
A shuttle bus runs every 20 minutes to Venezia Mestre station; from there, a direct high-speed train will whisk you to Ferrara in around 55 minutes, while the regional service (Interregionale) takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. This is a brilliant option if you are flying into Venice and fancy spending a few days exploring the area along the way, either before or after your stay.
Getting around the city once you Arrive
Once you arrive in Ferrara, you won’t need a car anymore. The entire historic centre can be easily explored on foot or by bicycle, which completely changes how you experience the city: no parking stress, no journeys to plan, and no timetables to follow.
🚲 By bike
Ferrara is completely flat. Cycle paths criss-cross the centre in every direction and traffic is kept to an absolute minimum: cycling here feels completely natural, without needing to worry about a thing. Guests staying with us will find adult bicycles ready and waiting, alongside secure indoor storage for the night. For children's bikes, we will gladly direct you to the nearest rental shop.
🚶On foot: the entire city centre is pedestrian-friendly
From the heart of the Addizione Erculea, you can reach any point in the historic centre in less than fifteen minutes. The cobblestone streets of the medieval quarter naturally invite you to slow down, which is precisely why Ferrara has such a restorative effect, even on those used to the frantic pace of big cities. Please note that our property does not have a lift: we always like to mention this before booking, so everyone can plan their stay with complete peace of mind.
🚕Taxis, private hire and buses
In Ferrara, taxis are booked, not hailed on the street. For those arriving from the airport or the station with heavy luggage, or for anyone wishing to travel outside the city without driving, we work with a trusted private transfer service with twenty years of reliable partnership: we will gladly put you in direct contact. Additionally, the TPER local bus network connects the station, the city centre, and the outskirts, running every 15–20 minutes during peak times.
Walking and Cycling Distances from the Heart of the Addizione Erculea
We are located within the Addizione Erculea, the Renaissance quarter commissioned by Ercole I d’Este in the fifteenth century. This is far more than just a central location: it is a district developed following an urban master plan explicitly designed to be explored on foot. The distances speak for themselves.
Please write to us before you set off if you have any doubts about your arrival, your route, or how to plan your days. After twenty years here, we know every street, every timetable, and every seasonal change: our experience can truly make a world of difference.
Day trips: exploring beyond Ferrara
The area surrounding Ferrara is incredibly rich and diverse. We have selected the most interesting day trips within a two-hour drive or a ninety-minute train journey, organised by the type of experience they offer. Each category features its own dedicated, in-depth guide.
🏛️ Art, History and Culture
Venice (55 mins · direct high-speed train), Bologna (30 mins · high-speed train), Ravenna and its UNESCO mosaics (45 mins), Padua with the Scrovegni Chapel (35 mins · high-speed train), Mantua of the Gonzaga family (1 hr 15 mins · by car), Rovigo and the Palladian Villas (40 mins).
🌿 Nature and the Po Delta
Comacchio Lagoons with their flamingos (30 mins · by car), the Ferrara Beaches and Volano pine forest (40–60 mins), Mesola Woods with its wild deer (55 mins), Pomposa Abbey (55 mins).
🚴 Cycling Tourism
The "Destra Po" cycle route to Gorino (start by bike directly from Ferrara), the Burana Loop: Ferrara countryside and industrial archaeology, the "Ciclovia del Sole" – Bologna-Mirandola section (45 mins · by car/train), the Comacchio Lagoons and the "Argine degli Angeli" bike path.
🍷 Food, Wine and Local Flavours
Comacchio for marinated eel (45 mins), the Ferrara Beaches by motor ship with a traditional fishermen's lunch (60 mins · by car), the Bologna Hills and Pignoletto DOCG wine (1 hr · by car/train), Chioggia and the lagoon's "bacari" wine bars (1 hr 15 mins · by car).
🥾 Trekking and Historic Trails
The Gessi Bolognesi Park (50 mins · by car), the Euganean Hills and Mount Gemola (50 mins · by car/train), the Stone of Bismantova in the Reggio Emilia Apennines (1 hr 45 mins · by car), the Sassi di Roccamalatina Regional Park in the Modena area (1 hr 20 mins · by car).
HOW TO PLAN YOUR DAY TRIPS
For destinations easily reachable by train (such as Bologna, Venice, Padua, and Ravenna), we always recommend travelling by rail: no parking hassles, no traffic jams, and you arrive right in the city centre. However, for the Po Delta, the beaches, and Apennine destinations, a car is often essential. For those who prefer a completely stress-free experience, we can also arrange excursions with our trusted private chauffeur service.
FAQs: Getting to and around Ferrara
Can I reach Ferrara by high-speed train (Frecciarossa or Italo)?
Yes, directly. Ferrara sits on the Venice–Napoli high-speed line: both Frecciarossa and Italo trains stop at the station with no changes required. Journeys take approximately 2 hours 10 minutes from Rome, 3 hours from Napoli, 55 minutes from Venice, and 1 hour 20 minutes from Florence. If you are travelling from Milan, the only change is at Bologna Centrale.
Where Can I Park My Car or Motorbike?
The property is located outside the ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone). For cars, there is free public on-street parking with no time limits right in front of the entrance. For motorbikes, we offer a private, covered garage for €10 per day. We will send you the precise GPS coordinates once your booking is confirmed.
Is Ferrara a good base for visiting Bologna, Ravenna, and Venice?
It is one of the finest bases in the region. Bologna is just 30 minutes away by high-speed train, Ravenna is 45 minutes, and Venice is only 55 minutes with no changes required. Accommodation and living costs in Ferrara are much lower, and the historic centre offers a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere. Many of our guests choose Ferrara as their strategic hub to explore the entire area without the hassle of changing hotels every day.
How do I get to the Lidi di Comacchio from Ferrara?
By car, it takes approximately 45 to 55 minutes along the scenic route overlooking the Po Delta. During the summer, seasonal TPER buses are available, but their timetables do not always align with boat excursion schedules. For those who prefer not to drive, we can also arrange bespoke trips with our private chauffeur service.
Can I leave my luggage on the day of departure?
Yes, absolutely You can fully enjoy the city while your luggage is securely stored at our property, completely free of charge.
Are pets allowed?
Yes, we are pet-friendly and welcome small pets. Simply let us know at the time of booking. Isadora, our little dog, is ready to welcome her new four-legged friends!
Articoli correlati - Ferrara Pratica
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Book directly: no prepayment required and best rate guaranteed. Once booked, we will get in touch with precise directions for a completely stress-free arrival.
No prepayment required · Bicycles included · Covered motorcycle parking