Modena is straightforward to navigate once you understand a few local quirks. This FAQ covers the practical stuff: which airport to use, how to get from Bologna BLQ to Modena, what a ZTL is and why it matters if you’re driving, whether you can drink the tap water, and how much to tip. Plus three hotel recommendations at different budgets with verified Booking.com links. For Modena weather by month, see our Modena weather by month.
Getting to Modena: Airports, Trains and Driving
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) is the main gateway, 40 km east of Modena. The Aerbus shuttle runs from outside the terminal to Modena’s bus station (Via Bacchini) in 50 minutes, with 12 daily round trips from 4:20 AM to 11:30 PM. Tickets cost €12 one-way, buy from the driver or the Aerbus website. Taxis from BLQ to Modena city centre cost €80-100 and take 35-40 minutes. For best time to visit Modena, see our best time to visit Modena.
By train: Bologna Centrale to Modena takes 25-30 minutes on regional trains (€4.80 one-way) or 17 minutes on Frecciarossa (€10-15). Trains run every 20-30 minutes from 5:00 AM to midnight. Modena station is a 15-minute walk north of the centre. From Milan, Frecciarossa trains take 1 hour 15 minutes (€25-40); from Florence, 1 hour (€20-30). For things to do in Modena, see our things to do in Modena.
By car: Modena sits on the A1 Autostrada del Sole (Milan-Bologna-Florence-Rome) at the Modena Nord and Modena Sud exits. The A22 to Verona and the Brenner Pass branches off just north of the city. If you’re driving, you must understand the ZTL. For Modena events and festivals, see our Modena events and festivals.
ZTL and Parking: What Drivers Need to Know
Modena’s historic centre is a ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato), a restricted traffic zone enforced by cameras. If you drive into the ZTL without authorization, you’ll receive a €80-120 fine, and rental car companies add a €40-60 admin fee on top. The ZTL is active Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM, and Saturday 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Hotel guests can typically register their license plate for ZTL access through the hotel (ask when booking). For day visitors, park at one of the ring-road garages: Parcheggio Novi Sad (Viale Gaetano Storchi, €1.50/hour, 8-minute walk to Piazza Grande), Parcheggio Ex Amcm (Via Carlo Sigonio, €1.20/hour), or the free Parcheggio Scambiatore at the northwest edge with a shuttle bus to the centre. For Modena neighborhoods, see our Modena neighborhoods.
Getting Around Modena
The historic centre is entirely walkable, Piazza Grande is at the heart and nothing in the centro is more than a 15-minute walk. SETA buses (orange and grey) serve the wider city and suburbs. Single tickets cost €1.50 (valid 75 minutes), buy from tabaccherie (tobacco shops) or the SETA app. Line 7 connects the station to the centre. Line 11 runs to the hospital and Crocetta. Buses run approximately 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM; evening service is limited. Taxis wait at Piazza Grande and the train station; a ride within the centre costs €8-12. For where to stay in Modena, see our where to stay in Modena.
Cycling is popular: Modena has 200 km of bike lanes and the flat Po Valley terrain makes it effortless. The Mobike bike-sharing app offers rentals from €1 per 30 minutes, with stations throughout the centre.
Money, Tipping and Practical Costs
Italy uses the Euro (€). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Modena, including contactless payments. Carry €20-40 in cash for market stalls, small cafes, and rural agriturismi. ATMs (bancomat) are plentiful on Via Emilia Centro and near the station. Tipping is not expected in Italy but appreciated: round up to the nearest €5 at cafes (a €4.70 espresso becomes €5), leave €1-2 per person at casual restaurants, and 5-10% at fine dining establishments if service was good. A coperto (cover charge) of €1.50-3 per person is standard in Italian restaurants and is not a tip, it covers bread and table service.
Safety, Health and Practicalities
Modena is a safe city with low violent crime rates. Standard precautions apply: watch for pickpockets in crowded markets (Tuesday/Saturday on Piazza Grande) and around the train station at night. Tap water is safe to drink throughout Modena. Pharmacies (farmacie) display a green cross; the central Farmacia Comunale on Via Emilia Centro is open 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM Monday to Saturday. For after-hours needs, the Farmacia di Turno rotates , check the list posted on any pharmacy door. The emergency number is 112.
Language Tips
In central Modena, hotel staff and restaurant servers in tourist-facing establishments speak enough English for transactions. At smaller trattorias, acetaie, and outside the centro storico, English is much less common. Learning a few Italian phrases goes a long way: Buongiorno (good morning), Grazie (thank you), Il conto, per favore (the bill, please), and Parla inglese? (do you speak English?). In food contexts, Che buono! (how good!) delivered sincerely to a cheesemaker or vinegar producer will always get a smile.
Visas and Entry Requirements
Italy is in the Schengen Area. EU and EEA citizens need only a valid ID card or passport. Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Brazil, and many other countries can enter visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. From 2025, non-EU visitors from visa-exempt countries must register through the ETIAS system (€7, valid 3 years). Always check current requirements with your country’s Italian embassy before travel. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen zone.
Suggested Hotels in Modena
Hotel Rua Frati 48 in San Francesco
Modena’s premier 5-star boutique hotel, set in a beautifully restored 16th-century palazzo 5 minutes from the Duomo, with a private garden and exceptional service. Best for luxury travellers and couples celebrating a special occasion. Check rates and availability
Central Park Hotel Modena
A dependable 4-star with free parking, spacious rooms, and a 10-minute walk to the Duomo. Best for drivers and families wanting comfort and convenience at a fair price. Check rates and availability
B&B Hotel Modena
A clean, modern budget choice near the station with reliable WiFi and functional rooms. Best for solo travellers, short stays, and anyone maximising their budget for food and Ferrari museums. Check rates and availability For everything else, check our complete Modena guide.
