When is the best time to visit How to get to Ferrara?

The recommended time is April, May, June, September and October, when it is less crowded.

Is How to get to Ferrara crowded?

How to get to Ferrara is a very quiet destination compared with the more touristy ones.

Where is How to get to Ferrara?

How to get to Ferrara is located in Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

How to get to Ferrara: trains, planes, cars and buses

How to get to Ferrara

Ferrara, the city of the Este family and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits in the lower Po Valley between Bologna and Venice. Its position on the Padua-Bologna railway line makes it easily reachable, while its Renaissance atmosphere and bike-friendly streets reward every journey. Here is how to get there.

By train

Ferrara sits on the Bologna-Padua-Venice railway line, one of Italy's busiest. Fast regional trains connect Ferrara to Bologna in just 30 minutes, with departures every 15-20 minutes. From Venice Santa Lucia the journey takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, from Padua about 1 hour.

Frecciarossa trains on the Venice-Rome line occasionally stop at Ferrara, but most skip the station. The best strategy is to alight at Bologna and take the regional: the connection is so frequent that the wait is minimal.

From Ravenna, regional trains take about 1 hour 15 minutes. From Verona, about 1 hour 15 minutes via Rovigo or via Bologna.

Ferrara station is in Piazzale Stazione, less than 1 km from the Castello Estense. On foot it takes about 10 minutes along Viale Cavour, the tree-lined avenue leading straight to the heart of the city.

Local tip

From the station, hire a bicycle straight away: Ferrara is Italy's most cyclable city and virtually flat. Rental at the station costs about 8-10 euros per day and completely transforms the visiting experience.

By plane

Ferrara has no airport of its own. The reference airport is Bologna Marconi (BLQ), about 50 km away (45 minutes by car). From the Marconi, take the Marconi Express to Bologna Centrale (7 minutes) and then the regional to Ferrara (30 minutes). Total time from the airport: about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is a valid alternative, about 110 km away. From Marco Polo, bus or train to Venezia Mestre and then regional to Ferrara (about 2 hours total).

Local tip

If arriving at Bologna Marconi, the fastest way to Ferrara may not be the train but the direct TPER/Ferrara Bus which at certain times connects the airport to Ferrara without changes. Check times on the TPER website.

By car

Ferrara sits on the A13 motorway (Bologna-Padua). From Bologna, the exit is Ferrara Sud (about 45 minutes, 50 km). From Padua, Ferrara Nord (about 1 hour, 75 km). From Venice, A4+A13 (about 1 hour 30 minutes, 115 km). From Milan, A1+A13 (about 2 hours 45 minutes, 265 km). From Florence, A1+A13 (about 2 hours, 165 km).

The Ferrara-Mare dual carriageway (SS309) reaches Lido di Volano and Lido delle Nazioni in about 40 minutes, useful for combining art and beach.

Parking

The historic centre has a partial restricted traffic zone. The most strategic car parks are Parcheggio Kennedy (large, near the walls, about 1 euro per hour), Parcheggio Diamanti (near the Palazzo dei Diamanti, covered), and parking along the Este walls, often free or reduced-rate. The Renaissance walls offer a pedestrian and cycle path circling the entire centre: you can park anywhere along the perimeter and reach any point in a few minutes.

By bus

FlixBus connects Ferrara to Rome (about 4 hours 30 minutes), Milan (about 3 hours), Florence (about 3 hours), and Bologna (about 1 hour). The stop is near the railway station.

TPER and Ferrara Bus manage provincial connections to Comacchio and the Po Delta (about 50 minutes), Cento, Copparo, and the coastal resorts.

Local transport

AMI Ferrara manages urban buses. A single ticket costs 1.30 euros and is valid for 75 minutes. But Ferrara's true means of transport is the bicycle. With over 100 km of cycle paths, wide flat streets, and a historic centre where bikes take priority over everything, Ferrara is a cyclist's paradise.

Bike sharing is available, but traditional rental at the station is more convenient for tourists. Not to be missed is the circuit of the Este Walls by bicycle: 9 km of scenic route embracing the entire Renaissance city.

The historic centre is compact and perfect on foot: from the Castello Estense to the Cathedral is 5 minutes, to Palazzo Schifanoia about 15 minutes, to the Jewish quarter less than 10 minutes.