Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Bologna Marconi Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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the seats are made out of some metal just like at a bus stop – cold, hard and uncomfortable. – a Guest Reviewer
BLQ Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Bologna Marconi Airport.
What to Expect
Bologna Airport (code: BLQ) features a clean and modern two-level terminal building with 24 departure gates and various upscale fashion stores and gourmet eateries. WiFi is available to help pass the time. While there are reportedly plenty of mobile device charging stations on the airside, outlets are hard to find on the landside. Additional comfort can be found through fee-based access to the airport’s first-class lounge.
Sleeping in Bologna Airport
After security checkpoints close for the night, all passengers are restricted to the landside areas and must re-clear security the next day when the checkpoints open. Airport staff are generally friendly and accommodating to overnight sleepers. Many travellers describe their overnight sleeping experiences at Bologna Airport as quiet and secure; however, some reviewers report that most comfortable seating has been replaced with uncomfortable metal benches with armrests. Have a sleep mask handy to block out those bright lights! For uninterrupted sleep, there are some hotels within a quick shuttle ride of the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Bologna Airport Guide.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
Bologna Airport is reportedly open 24 hours (user updated), though not all entrances remain accessible overnight. Travellers may need to use the main terminal entrance during late-night hours.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
Bologna Airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Bologna Marconi Airport:
- Airport B & B » Check Rates
- iH Hotels Bologna Amadeus » Check Rates
- Hotel Brianza » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Bologna Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass, or using a lounge membership program.
- Marconi Business Lounge – Location: Airside, Departures Area, immediately after Security Control and Passport Control, near Gate 6. Hours: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (€35 per person, subject to capacity) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit card rewards programs • Complimentary for business class passengers on select airlines and eligible frequent flyer members.
Drinking Water
Free water bottle refill stations are available airside and in the Arrivals area.
Food & Drinks
Food outlets operate on varying schedules. One option reported to operate 24 hours is Puro Gusto, located on the ground floor, landside, near the terminal entrance.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Temporarily Closed – When operational, reported rates were €8 per day for small bags and €12 per day for oversized items. Location: Opposite the Marconi Business Lounge. Reported hours: 24 hours.
Mobile Charging
Power outlets and charging points are reported throughout the terminal.
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Bologna Marconi Airport. Connect to the “EmiliaRomagnaWiFi wifiprivacy.it” network. Registration is required.
Security & Safety
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs operated by Carisbo Bank are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit before travelling internationally.
Banking Services – Information not available.
Currency Exchange – Foreign currency exchange services are available through Forexchange.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Two duty-free shops operate daily from early morning until the last flight. A selection of additional retail shops is available throughout the terminal, including a Carrefour Express supermarket with extended hours.
Kiss & Fly – Short-term drop-off parking includes a limited free-parking allowance for quick stops.
Information Desk – Airport information is available at the Tourist Information and Welcome Services desk in the Arrivals area.
Luggage Wrapping – Protective luggage wrapping services are available through Safe Bag.
Repack and Go – Travellers flying with restrictive baggage allowances can use the “Repack and Go” self-service area to reorganize luggage, check weight, and purchase bags or basic packing supplies.
Pharmacy – A pharmacy is available landside with daytime and evening hours.
SIM Cards – Vodafone SIM cards are available for purchase through Forexchange.
Bus
Several buses connect Bologna Airport to nearby cities:
- Ferrara Al Volo offers regular service to/from Ferrara (travel time 1 hour).
- Appennino Shuttle provides ten daily direct departures to/from Florence (travel time 90 min.)
- SACA offers service to/from Modena (travel time 50 min.)
- Shuttle Italy Airport provides bus rides to Rimini, Cesena, San Marino, Firenze, and Riccione.
Car Rentals
Car rental desks are located on the ground floor of the terminal, near the baggage claim area and the Tourist Information Desk. On-site car rental agencies include Autovia • Avis/Budget/Maggiore • Drivalia • Europcar • Goldcar • Hertz/Dollar/Thrifty • Italy Car Rent • Locauto Rent/Enterprise/National/Alamo • Noleggiare • Rental Plus • Sicily by Car • Sixt Rent a Car.
Hotel Shuttles
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxis
Taxis are available 24 hours a day in the ground transportation area. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required. Two taxi companies operate at Bologna Airport: Taxi Cat Bologna and Cotabo Taxi.
Train
Thank you to the reader who sent us this information: The fastest shuttle now is the Marconi Express, a three-station direct current monorail line that costs approximately € 11. The express train departs from the departures level (landside) and heads to the north side of Bologna Centrale, which is separate from the main station. Frequency: 15 minutes. Duration: seven minutes. Service starts at 5:40 AM and ends at midnight. For train timetables, visit the Marconi Express website.
Last updated: 2026-01-21
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.