Getting Around Modena
Modena is a compact, walkable city in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, and most visitors find they can cover the historic centre on foot while using buses, trolleybuses and trains for longer hops. The city sits on the south side of the Po Valley, with the Apennines beginning to the south, and its historic core is enclosed within the line of the former city walls.
On Foot
Walking is the simplest way to explore Modena. The town is easily walked, and the most important buildings are found in the historic centre, inside where the city wall once stood. This includes the UNESCO World Heritage ensemble of the Cathedral, the Torre della Ghirlandina and Piazza Grande, as well as the Ducal Palace. Because the centre is compact, you can reasonably plan a day of sightseeing without any transport at all.
Rail
Modena's railway station sits just north of the city centre, within easy walking distance of the historic core. Fast trains run roughly hourly from Milan, continuing onward from Modena to Bologna, where you can connect to services to Rome. Regional trains also serve the city, stopping at towns along the way. One practical caveat: there is no left-luggage office at the station, so plan accordingly if you are passing through with bags.
Trolleybus and City Buses
Modena is well served by a trolleybus network — one of the largest in Italy — alongside an ordinary bus service. All public transport in the city is provided by SETA. Urban services generally run from early morning until around 21:00, with a night urban line covering part of the late evening. Extra-urban buses fan out through the surrounding province at many different times and on many different routes, connecting Modena to towns such as Carpi, Sassuolo, Fiorano, Maranello, Vignola and Pavullo, among others.
- Buying tickets: tickets can be purchased directly on the bus from an automatic ticket machine, outside the railway station, or at the bus station (autostazione). They are also available through the Roger mobile app.
- Regional passes: "Mi Muovo" is an integrated public transport pass for the Emilia-Romagna region. Short-stay visitors may find "Mi Muovo Multibus", a multi-trip bus ticket, useful; see the regional guidance for details.
- Suburban fares: the province is divided into many districts, each with its own fare, and a ticket is valid for a limited amount of time once you board, depending on the district.
Buses to and from the Province
The main bus station, the Autostazione on Via Bacchini, is the hub for suburban services. A large number of buses connect Modena with the most relevant villages of the surrounding province, so this is where to head if you are visiting nearby towns rather than staying in the city itself.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Two radio taxi services operate in Modena, both available around the clock and also for trips into the province or further afield. They offer booking by SMS and services for disabled passengers. If you need a taxi, these radio services are the standard way to arrange one.
By Car
Modena is crossed by the Via Emilia, a historic Roman road that still forms one of the main traffic arteries in Italy and runs east–west straight through the middle of town. The town can be reached by the A1 Milano–Napoli motorway, with exits at Modena Nord and Modena Sud, and it lies at the south end of the A22.
Driving into the centre, however, is restricted. The historic centre is a limited-traffic zone (ZTL): only residents, commercial operators, and tourists staying at hotels in the centre with a special permit may enter. Access is monitored by an automated system called Modena City Pass, which uses a network of always-on webcams at the access points to register number plates and flag unauthorised vehicles.
Outside the restricted area, parking is partly free (marked by white lines) and partly paid (blue lines), with the fee depending on the city area. You can pay with coins at nearby park meters, or with a prepaid card purchased at ACI offices or at some tobacconists in the town centre. Parking is generally free on Sundays and public holidays, and usually free at night.
By Bicycle
Modena offers a free bicycle scheme for visitors. At the Tourist Information Office on Piazza Grande you can take a free yellow bicycle by filling in a form and paying a deposit; cyclists must be of legal age and show a valid ID. The same service is available at a number of other locations, mostly in north-east Italy. Additional rental points include Novi Sad Park on Viale Monte Kosica and the Policlinico (general hospital) on Largo del Pozzo, though these have more limited opening hours and are closed on Sundays.
Getting There from the Airport
The nearest airport is Bologna Guglielmo Marconi (BLQ), which lies close to Bologna and roughly 40 km from Modena. A direct SACA bus runs from the airport to Modena every two hours, taking about 50 minutes; a single fare is €15 and a return €25, bought on the bus. Alternatively, you can travel into Bologna city centre first and continue to Modena by train. You could also fly into Milan, which has many budget flights and good onward transport connections.