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Taking the train from Leuven to Bologna in 12 hours 20 minutes
Thinking about taking the train from Leuven to Bologna? We’ve got you covered.
It usually takes around 15 hours 12 minutes to travel the 538 miles (866 km) from Leuven to Bologna by train, although you can get there in as little as 12 hours 20 minutes on the fastest services. You’ll normally find around 19 trains per day running on this route. You’ll need to make 3 changes along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line. You can travel on this route with either TGV, Thalys or Frecciarossa. As the main train operators on this route, all offer comfortable seating and plenty of space for luggage as standard.
Train tickets from Leuven to Bologna are usually cheaper when you book in advance compared to buying them on the day. Start a search in our Journey Planner to check out the latest prices.
Keen to book your train tickets to Bologna? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to find out a bit more about the journey first, you can find our train timetable below, tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs, including first and last train times.
FAQs about the train journey from Leuven to Bologna
Want to know more about your journey from Leuven to Bologna? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Are there direct trains from Leuven to Bologna?
What's the distance between Leuven and Bologna by train?
Who runs the trains from Leuven to Bologna?
Can you travel from Leuven to Bologna without taking a flight?
What is the best way to get to Bologna from Leuven?
What time is the first train from Leuven to Bologna?
What time is the last train from Leuven to Bologna?
How often do trains go from Leuven to Bologna?
Do you need to prebook train tickets from Leuven to Bologna?
Is there a return trip from Leuven to Bologna?
SNCB, Trenitalia, SNCF and Italo trains from Leuven to Bologna
SNCB
Trenitalia
SNCF
Italo
SNCB is the national railway company of Belgium, with services that include national (Intercity) and regional (Local) express trains. All SNCB trains come with both First Class and Second Class carriages. Belgium has one of the densest rail networks in the world. Seat reservations aren’t possible for any of the company's trains.
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Trenitalia is the national railway company of Italy, with a fleet including high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca), Intercity and Intercity night trains and regional trains. Trenitalia offers discounts and special promotions on selected routes, two types of discounted tickets for young people under 30 and people over 60.
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SNCF is the national train operator of France. It operates all domestic trains and routes across France, as well as international services to Spain and Germany. There are three different types of domestic trains that operate under the SNCF banner – TGV (high-speed, full-service trains that connect the major cities in France), Intercités (usually a more frequent stopping service, but with all the amenities), and TER (regional train services with basic onboard facilities).
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Italo is a high-speed train operator that runs services between many of the major cities across Italy. All Italo trains are modern, air conditioned, and have free WiFi available for all travellers. There are four comfort classes, or "ambiances", as Italo like to call them – Smart (the cheapest price), Comfort (with wider seats and extra legroom), Prima (with a welcome selection of food and drink, fast track boarding and extra space), and Executive Club (with all Prima services, extra-wide seats, access to Italo Club lounges and personal entertainment screens at your seat).
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TGV INOUI, Frecciarossa, Italo and SNCB classes from Leuven to Bologna
Compare the different travel classes offered by TGV INOUI, Frecciarossa, Italo and SNCB when travelling from Leuven to Bologna.
TGV INOUI
Frecciarossa
Italo
SNCB
Second Class
In Second Class, TGV INOUI allows you to travel comfortably while enjoying the onboard services, such as free WiFi, power sockets and more.
- Free WiFi
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Power sockets
- Fold-down table
- Luggage storage
- Reading light
- More legroom
- Quiet area
First Class
Want to travel in style? Upgrade to First Class and you’ll enjoy all the benefits of Second Class as well as some additional perks.
- Free WiFi
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Power sockets
- Fold-down table
- Luggage storage
- Reading light
- More legroom
- Quiet area
Standard
With Frecciarossa Standard, you’ll enjoy high-quality services including eco-leather reclining seats, folding tables and free WiFi, but at a cheaper price.
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Free WiFi
- USB sockets
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Welcome drink with sweet or salty snack
- Catering at your seat
- More legroom
- Foodbox + drink
- Quiet area
- Meeting room
- Open Bar
- Lounge access
- Free magazines/newspapers
Premium
Providing all the perks of First Class for the price of Second Class, Frecciarossa Premium offers more legroom and luggage space, as well as a welcome service offering a complimentary sweet or salty snack and drink. You can also order your meal via the EasyBistrò paid service available on board.
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Free WiFi
- USB sockets
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Welcome drink with sweet or salty snack
- Catering at your seat
- More legroom
- Foodbox + drink
- Quiet area
- Meeting room
- Open Bar
- Lounge access
- Free magazines/newspapers
Business
If you’re travelling for work, Frecciarossa Business is the ideal option for you – it offers more legroom, glass dividers for more privacy, EasyBistrò meal service and a private 4-seat compartment called Salottino. A free foodbox containing a fresh product, a snack and a drink is also served to your seat.
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Free WiFi
- USB sockets
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Welcome drink with sweet or salty snack
- Catering at your seat
- More legroom
- Foodbox + drink
- Quiet area
- Meeting room
- Open Bar
- Lounge access
- Free magazines/newspapers
Executive
Frecciarossa Executive can accommodate up to 10 single armchairs and offers plenty of legroom, wider reclining leather seats, free entry to FRECCIALounge at the main train stations, an exclusive open bar and Michelin-starred menu by the renowned Italian TV chef Carlo Cracco.
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Free WiFi
- USB sockets
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Welcome drink with sweet or salty snack
- Catering at your seat
- More legroom
- Foodbox + drink
- Quiet area
- Meeting room
- Open Bar
- Lounge access
- Free magazines/newspapers
Smart
Although Smart is Italo’s standard and cheapest class, you won’t miss out on the fantastic service! This class provides you with the following amenities:
- Vending machine
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Power sockets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Welcome service
- Fast track
- More legroom
- Free magazines/newspapers
- Salotto
- Personal screens
- Catering at your seat
Prima
In addition to all the perks of Italo Smart, Italo Prima also provides a little extra, such as a dedicated Fast Track service and a welcome service.
- Vending machine
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Power sockets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Welcome service
- Fast track
- More legroom
- Free magazines/newspapers
- Salotto
- Personal screens
- Catering at your seat
Club Executive
If you fancy travelling in style, upgrade to Italo Club Executive and enjoy dedicated catering service, personal screens, and free entry to Italo Club Lounge.
- Vending machine
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Power sockets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Welcome service
- Fast track
- More legroom
- Free magazines/newspapers
- Salotto
- Personal screens
- Catering at your seat
Second Class
If you're travelling in Second Class, you'll find plenty of luggage storage and power sockets as standard. You can reserve your seat only if you buy a group ticket.
- Power sockets
- Luggage storage
- More legroom
First Class
Upgrade to First Class and enjoy more legroom and comfier seats. You can reserve your seat only if you buy a group ticket.
- Power sockets
- Luggage storage
- More legroom
Onboard services on TGV INOUI, Frecciarossa, Italo and SNCB
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Leuven to Bologna.
TGV INOUI
Frecciarossa
Italo
SNCB
On board TGV INOUI trains, you can take up to 2 pieces of luggage measuring no more than 70 x 90 x 50 cm, plus one hand luggage measuring no more than 40 x 30 x 15 cm. If you are bringing an XL baggage (maximum 90 x 130 cm), it will replace one of the two 70 x 90 x 50 cm pieces of luggage authorised.
All your luggage must be labelled before entering the train.
All TGV INOUI trains are equipped with a café-bar carriage offering a range of food and drink to suit you at any time of day. The Bar is always situated in carriage 4 or 14 of the train. There's a range of local and responsibly sourced products on offer to whet your appetite.
TGV INOUI trains have free WiFi on board for you to use throughout your journey, allowing you to stay connected, reply to emails or even relax and enjoy what's offered on the TGV INOUI entertainment portal.
Children under 12 can get a half price ticket on TGV INOUI trains. Children under 4 travel free when they travel on your lap.
If you've got a foldable bicycle, you can take it on the train as hand luggage, so long as it's no larger than 130 x 90 cm once folded. Or, if you can dismantle your bike, you can transport it in a cover or case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. You can still travel with a bike that cannot be folded or dismantled - you'll need to reserve a bike space on the train when you buy your ticket. Bike tickets cost €10 per bike, per journey.
Small pets are allowed on board TGV INOUI trains provided they weigh less than 10kg. They must travel in a carrier no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Tickets for small pets cost €7. Larger dogs can also travel on TGV INOUI services, provided they are wearing a muzzle and are kept on a lead. Tickets for larger dogs cost €20. Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge on all SNCF trains.
For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).
- You can take your bags on board Frecciarossa trains free of charge.
- In most cases, there are no luggage size limits. You’ll need to make sure that your luggage is compatible with the space available on board.
- You can go to the FrecciaBistrò café-bar counter located in the middle part of the train to get snacks, main courses, and drinks.
- You can also order your favourite meal from the comfort of your seat – go to the entertainment portal called Portale FRECCE and use the EasyBistrò service or ask a member of staff.
- If you travel in Premium or Business Class, you’ll get a free snack and drink. If you travel in Executive Class, you’ll get a complimentary meal by the renowned TV chef Carlo Cracco.
- You’ll find free WiFi on all Frecciarossa trains. Connect to their entertainment portal called Portale FRECCE and choose from a wide selection of movies, TV series, live news, eBooks, games, music, and podcasts.
- You can also use Portale FRECCE to get the latest updates on your journey, as well as book other services that will help you reach your destination.
- Children under 4 can travel for free if a seat is not assigned to them. If they do have a seat, they can get 50% off Base tickets (Frecciarossa’s standard fare).
- Children aged 4-14 also get 50% off.
- Bimbi Gratis offer: You can also get free travel for children under 15 plus 40% off Base tickets for adults, if you’re travelling in a family group of 2 to 5 people (including at least one adult and one child).
- You can travel with your bike for free on all Frecciarossa trains provided it’s not larger than 80 x 110 x 45cm.
- Your bike must be disassembled or folded and stored in a bag in one of the dedicated luggage racks.
- Small pets can travel on all Frecciarossa trains free of charge if they’re placed in a carrier or cage of max dimensions of 70 x 30 x 50cm.
- Bigger dogs are allowed on all trains if they have a half-price Standard ticket, they’re kept on a leash and equipped with a muzzle. You can’t travel with bigger dogs in Executive and Premium Class, in quiet carriages and in restaurant carriages.
- Guide and assistance dogs are allowed on all trains at no additional cost.
If you need to request special assistance, you can call: the toll-free number 800 90 60 60, which can be reached from a landline in Italy, or the national number +3902323232 which can be reached from a landline or mobile, even from abroad (international calling charges may apply).
Air-conditioning is available on board. You can also charge your devices thanks to the power sockets you can find at your seat.
- You can take your bags on board Italo trains free of charge.
- If you have a small bag or backpack, you can place it under your seat. If you’re travelling with a larger bag, you can place it on the luggage racks above your seat.
- In most cases, there are no luggage size limits. However, if you travel in Italo Smart, your bags must not be larger than 75 x 53 x 30cm.
While there’s no bar or restaurant carriage on Italo trains, you can use the vending machines on board to get snacks and drinks during your journey.
- Italo trains offer free WiFi and a free entertainment portal called ItaloLive, where you can choose from a wide selection of movies, TV series, live news, eBooks, games, music, and podcasts.
- You can also charge your devices thanks to the power sockets that are available at your seat.
- Children aged 0-3 travel for free on Italo trains if they don’t occupy a seat. However, if an adult travels with more than one child aged 0-3, they will need to pay for a seat.
- Children aged 2-14 get 50% off the Flex fare if they’re travelling in Italo’s Smart Class.
- You can travel with a folding bike if it’s stored in one of the dedicated luggage racks.
- You can travel with a traditional bike if it’s disassembled and placed in a bag that is not larger than 80 x 110 x 40cm.
- Pets under 10kg can travel for free on all Italo trains provided they’re placed in a carrier or cage.
- Pets over 10kg will need a ticket to travel with you. They must also be kept on a leash and equipped with a muzzle.
Priority seats for passengers with reduced mobility are available on Italo trains. They’re usually located next to an accessible toilet. All accessible toilets also have tactile and Braille signs.
Air-conditioning is available on all Italo trains, as well as at-seat power sockets.
When travelling with SNCB, each passenger can take 3 items of luggage on board, as long as the total weight does not exceed 30kg. Once you’ve found your seat, you can stow your luggage in the space provided above and below your seat. You can take the following luggage on board for free:
- Briefcases, rucksacks and suitcases
- Wheelchairs (manual or automatic)
- Pushchairs and prams
- Folding bikes, unicycles, scooters
- Sports equipment (e.g. skis)
Currently, SNCB does not offer a food and drink service. Although, you may bring food and drink with you to enjoy on the train.
SNCB offer free WiFi in their main stations, including Brussels Central, Bruges, Antwerp Central and more. Currently, SNCB do not offer WiFi onboard their trains.
As long as they are travelling with a person aged 12 or above with a valid ticket, children under 12 can travel for free without a ticket. However, please note that this only applies to a maximum of 4 children per passenger with a valid ticket. If you have any additional children travelling with you, they will need a half-price Kids Ticket.
Hoping to travel with your bike? You’ll need to add a Bike Supplement to your ticket. However, if you’re travelling with a folding bike, you don’t need to worry about paying. Bike Supplements are paid on top of your rail fare and cost €4 for a single journey.
When boarding, speak to the train conductor and they will tell you if there are spaces available and where you can put your bicycle. SNCB advise you not to travel with a bike at Peak times, because bicycle spaces may not be available.
Guide and assistance dogs
Travel is free for guide and assistance dogs. You won’t need to add a Pet Supplement to your ticket.
Pets
Pets are welcome to travel on SNCB trains if they are on a lead or in a small basket, cage or box. For animals on a lead, a Pet Supplement costs €3 for a single trip. If your pet is in a small basket, cage or box that is smaller than 30 x 55 x 30 cm, you do not need to pay for a Pet Supplement. Finally, your pet is not allowed to sit on the seats or tables.
Passengers with reduced mobility should directly contact SNCB to make use of their free assistance service. You can take your wheelchair on board the train for free, regardless of whether or not you use the SNCB's free assistance service. If you are blind or partially sighted, you can take the train for free in 2nd class.
Cheap train tickets from Leuven to Bologna
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Leuven to Bologna by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.