I will be in Bologna in may for the day before my flight. My flight will be leaving at 7 a.m. and so I assume I will need to be at the airport at least by 5 a.m.
I would like an opinion if my 17 year old daughter and me should just "hang out" in bologna rather than get a hotel for a few hours and try to get to the airport. I can sleep on the plane. But also if we dont get a hotel, where could one go till the early hours? I just can't see myself wanting to go to bed early for my flight, I want to see as much of Bologna as I can.
Posted by
Marin, CA
532 posts
I guess I'd want to confirm that the airport is open. Several years back when my daughter studied in Florence she got to Florence's airport for her early flight and had to wait for it to open. Some times it's not the killing time but doing it with luggage that's the challenge. But I agree with you it's hard to sleep when you know you're getting up so early. I would probably prefer a basic business hotel that's just clean and functional and inexpensive(if there's not a convention in Bologna). Also I had the same issue in Pisa with the early flight and stayed at the business hotel to guarantee I'd get early morning transportation to the airport.
Posted by
Denver
803 posts
I would echo the previous poster's comments, with the addition that Bologna is a small airport, so possibly less likely than the Florence airport to be open at 5 am. Bologna is such a great little city. Get a hotel in Bologna, enjoy your evening there. Get some sleep, if only a few hours, then be at the airport between 5 and 6 am. At that hour, checking in will be easy, security will be easy. And you can sleep on the plane. Per Google maps, from the very center of Bologna to the airport is an 18-min. drive. Your alternative, I guess, would be to stay out all night with your bags. Finding any place that's open all night in a city that you're not familiar with doesn't sound like the most reassuring or safe option, to me.
Posted by
Toledo
653 posts
Robin, I think you mean you want to see Bologna and stay in the city until it's time to leave for the airport? I would get a hotel room, preferably near the airport, and just let them know that you will be checking in late. Nothing much is open all night in Bologna.
Posted by
Cesena, Italy
791 posts
The airport will be open. I've been there as early as 4:30 am. I can't say if they actually lock it up for a few hours or not though in the wee hours of the morning. Now, the counter to check in may not be open so you'll have to kill some time till it does. I would say get a room though. Hanging on the streets or in the airport all night doesn't sound fun at all.
Posted by
OP
Denver, Colorado
15 posts
I will definately get a room, and no matter where I stay I would assume it will not be hard to get a taxi to the airport.
Posted by
Toledo
653 posts
Arrange for your taxi the night before. Your hotel can do this for you, but get a phone number for the taxi, just in case.
Posted by
Shawnee, OK, USA
396 posts
I stay at the Hotel San Donato when in Bologna. They will arrange a taxi for you to arrive at the correct time to get you to the airport. From this hotel it is a short walk to the piazza containing the San Petrino church and Neptune's fountain....also a wonderful shopping street for fruit, veggies, cheese, etc.
Even a few hours of sleep is better than none before a long flight. I haven't flown in or out of bologna so I don't know how late/early they are open.