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Transfer from Ravenna Cruise Port disembarkation to Bologna airport

Posted by (Olympia, WA, USA) on

Hi.

My significant other and I are taking a cruise to/from the Ravenna cruise port this August with my daughter and her husband. Although we are seasoned Rick Steves travelers, we have never been on a cruise before. Our return to Ravenna is August 30th in the early am. (We are scheduled to arrive at 6 am, which I believe means we can actually disembark around 8 am).

We need to get to the Bologna airport for a KLM flight to Amsterdam that departs at 1 pm. As far as I can tell, the cruise line (Royal Caribbean) doesn't offer a transfer service to Bologna, only to Venice.

What are the best options for getting there?

(My daughter and her husband are heading to Naples, where his family is from. They will either be coming with us to Bologna, or taking the train directly from the Ravenna train station).

Thanks!

Posted by
8059 posts

Taxi to train station
Train to Bologna
Tram to airport

https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
Regional train, no need to purchase in advance, runs about every hour 8:43, 9:43
Takes just over an hour

Your timing is rather tight if you need to be at airport by 11
I’d want to be on that 8:43 train

Alternative would be hiring a private driver

Posted by
591 posts

Unfortunately the transfer from Ravenna port to Bologna train station isn't cheap. A van (6 people, if they don't have too much luggage!) should cost around 300€.
Try to send an enquire to Emilia Romagna Tours if they have availability https://emiliaromagnatours.it/ .

Posted by
8059 posts

Your kids would take the regional train Ravenna to Bologna then fast train to Napoli Centrale

If you can extend your time a bit do visit Ravenna mosaics

Posted by
28 posts

HI Matt,

Sounds like a great trip!

Just popping in to add two things to the advice you've already received: first, we've usually been able to disembark quite a bit sooner than you're expecting -- for exactly the same rush-to-airport reason you're facing. And second, this is another case where carry-on luggage will be a big help. The night before you dock the cruise line will ask that you place all "checked" (large) bags in the corridor outside your cabin. They then take the bags to the terminal for you to collect them in the morning. All of that takes time; you generally wait to be invited to disembark so everything is orderly.

If you have carry-on/roller bags, you just leave when you're ready. This obviously saves precious minutes at the airport as well, since you don't have to check your bags.

Have a wonderful trip!

Posted by
35 posts

Any recommendations on private drivers?

I've hired drivers from Booking.com several times without issue. You pay like 10% more than booking direct, but I'm too lazy to vet companies on their own and trust Booking to do it for me. Hasn't failed me yet.

Posted by
2187 posts

You’ve been given some good advice. Learn the procedure for walking off unassisted and be ready to go as soon as the ship is cleared for disembarkation by the local authorities. The alternative is an assigned group and time and that that can get crowded. We’ve cruised a lot and I tend to agree that your time isn’t too generous. Anything can happen to cause delays. I’d be ready to make my break the moment clearance is announced. I’d also agree that I would extend my time if feasible to see the mosaics…they are extraordinary in terms of art and history and maybe the most breathtaking sights we’ve seen in a few trips to Italy. But that’s me and likely your plans are well cast already. Enjoy your first cruise and safe travels.mm

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