driving into BOLOGNA ITALY
Jul 19th, 2013, 11:50 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
driving into BOLOGNA ITALY
SO, what is the situation driving into bologna ? evidently you cannot drive into the inner city but have to park outside somewhere ? how do you know how far you can drive into the city ? is there a "stop/gate" ? how do you know where you can park ? thanks...for any info.
Jul 19th, 2013, 11:53 AM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,982
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) signs if the area is limited to residents. Three are cameras to take your license plate and you will get a ticket if you are not eligible to drive in those areas.
Bologna has a ring road with public parking lots (at least on the south side, against the hills).
Bologna has a ring road with public parking lots (at least on the south side, against the hills).
Jul 19th, 2013, 12:02 PM
#3
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No, there is no "stop gate". You need to study the map of the city that shows you where you cannot drive. The name of these restricted areas are Zona Traffico Limitato (or ZTL) and you probably find the map online with a google search for "Bologna commune Zona Traffico Limitato". Italians have to study these things too when the travel.
You also need to learn, before you get behind the wheel in Italy, how to recognize and read the sign that prohibits entry to a ZTL, because it is not just Bologna that has them. Bologna also has some LED billboards that flash which accesses are closed during what hours, in Italian.
At the periphery of the city, there are many places to park. Again, it is easier if you look these places up ahead of time (Michelin maps usually mark them for you, or you can find the information on line using a google search like "parcheggi Bologna".
Are you staying at a hotel? If so, they should be able to tell you where the nearest legal parking is, and specify you want it OUTSIDE the ZTL. If you haven't got a hotel yet, pick one with parking at the edge of the city. You can find them on Booking.com.
If you are arriving for a day trip, track down which parking lot looks optimal depending on the direction you are coming from.
Many people day tripping to Bologna prefer to take the train in if they are staying in a town with a train station. If you are arriving at the airport and planning to see Bologna on your way to elsewhere, you might want to take the bus in, stow your luggage in the train station, see Bologna and then pick up your rental near the train station, so you can drive OUT, rather than in.
You also need to learn, before you get behind the wheel in Italy, how to recognize and read the sign that prohibits entry to a ZTL, because it is not just Bologna that has them. Bologna also has some LED billboards that flash which accesses are closed during what hours, in Italian.
At the periphery of the city, there are many places to park. Again, it is easier if you look these places up ahead of time (Michelin maps usually mark them for you, or you can find the information on line using a google search like "parcheggi Bologna".
Are you staying at a hotel? If so, they should be able to tell you where the nearest legal parking is, and specify you want it OUTSIDE the ZTL. If you haven't got a hotel yet, pick one with parking at the edge of the city. You can find them on Booking.com.
If you are arriving for a day trip, track down which parking lot looks optimal depending on the direction you are coming from.
Many people day tripping to Bologna prefer to take the train in if they are staying in a town with a train station. If you are arriving at the airport and planning to see Bologna on your way to elsewhere, you might want to take the bus in, stow your luggage in the train station, see Bologna and then pick up your rental near the train station, so you can drive OUT, rather than in.
Jul 19th, 2013, 12:05 PM
#4
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 6,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When we went to Bologna a few years ago, we drove to the car rental agency on the outer road, returned our car, and took a taxi to our hotel. We did not need a car for the six days we were in Bologna, took trains for day trips. When we left, we reversed the procedure, took a taxi to the car rental, picked up a car for our Piemonte week. No ZTL.
Jul 19th, 2013, 03:10 PM
#5
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can find ZTL maps for any city by searching Google Images.
Do not ignore ZTLs. I got a +/- $75 ticket in Vicenza, plus the fee to the rental car company for giving them my name and address. That was cheap as these things go.
Do not ignore ZTLs. I got a +/- $75 ticket in Vicenza, plus the fee to the rental car company for giving them my name and address. That was cheap as these things go.
Jul 19th, 2013, 03:20 PM
#6
Our hotel was within the ZTL. When we checked in last year, we had to give them our license plate number and it was taken care of. We left the car in the garage until we ledt the city. We loved Bologna.
Sep 28th, 2013, 04:44 PM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
well...driving in and around bologna was a nightmare. will never do it again. street signage is abysmal. hardly nowhere you can make a left turn. just abysmal. and actually we were quite bored on bologna...leaving early.
