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Bologna, Italy, beckons with its rich tapestry of history, culture, and culinary delights. Wander through its medieval streets, where ancient towers stand sentinel over bustling markets and charming cafes. Indulge in the city’s gastronomic treasures, from sumptuous handmade pasta to savory mortadella. Admire architectural marvels like the iconic Two Towers and the grandiose Basilica di San Petronio. With its timeless charm and vibrant atmosphere, Bologna promises an unforgettable experience.
IAIA, in collaboration with Bologna Welcome, has curated a selection of hotels offering exclusive deals for IAIA25 attendees. Click the link below to explore the list of accommodations and book your stay.
The Bologna Congress Center can be easily reached via bus lines 28, 35, 38, and 39 to/from the city center and the railway station. Taxis are also readily available. See https://www.tper.it/ for bus and route information.
If you need assistance or have any questions, contact Bologna Welcome.
In May, Bologna experiences spring weather with cool winds, vibrant flowers, and temperatures that start to rise. The average low temperature at night is 15°C (59°F) and the average high temperature during the day is 22°C (72°F).
Italian is the official language of Italy and is the most widely spoken language in the country.
All attendees from outside Italy are responsible for making sure they have the correct documentation to enter the country. Delegates are strongly advised to check with their local embassies and explore visa requirements as early as possible, and should a visa be required, to apply as soon as possible as the process can be time consuming.
Helpful site:
Minsterio degli affari esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation): https://www.esteri.it/en/servizi-consolari-e-visti/ingressosoggiornoinitalia/
Bologna’s Guglielmo Marconi Airport, for both national and international flights, is located 6 km from the city center.
There are several ways to get from Bologna Airport to the city center, including:
Marconi Express: An electric monorail that connects the airport to the central train station in about 7 minutes. The Marconi Express is a sustainable option, with 30% of its energy coming from renewable sources. Trains run frequently, with every 7 minutes at peak times.
Bus: The bus is the cheapest way to get to the train station. The 81/91 bus runs from Birra, which is a 20-minute walk from the airport. The Line 944 bus also connects the airport to the city.
Taxi: A taxi ride to or from the city center takes around 20 minutes and costs between €20–25. In Bologna, to book a cab, you should generally call the company’s number or wait at a taxi stop (see map below); taxis do not stop randomly. Some taxi companies in Bologna include Cotabo Taxi, taxibologna.it, Cosepuri, and Saca. The most important company in Bologna is InTaxi (https://bolognaintaxi.com/); they have also an app you can download.
See this PDF map for a list of taxi stops in Bologna. In the “Ledenga,” the second column is the location of the taxi stand and the third column is how many spaces are available for taxis at that location. For example, at the airport there are 34 spaces. Green dots are spots where there is a public phone to call the taxi; in the red spots there are no public telephones available.
Uber: Uber is an available option in Italy, but it is not commonly used and could take some time.
Helpful sites:
Welcome Bureau Bologna: https://www.bolognaconventionbureau.it/
Bologna Experience: https://www.bologna-experience.eu/how-to-arrive-and-move-around-bologna/
The usual Italian business hours are from 08:00 or 09:00 to 12:00 or 13:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00 or 18:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. As a general rule, shops are open from Monday to Saturday. Some are open from 09:00-19:30; others close at lunch time (approximately 13:00-15:00).
The monetary unit in Italy is the Euro (€). The conversion rate as of October 2024 is €1.00 to US$1.11. ATMs can be found in the airport and on all main shopping streets. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted throughout Italy. American Express is often accepted, but not in every business/shop.
Tipping is not required in Italy, but it is appreciated in some situations.
Restaurants: While not required, diners may round up the bill or leave a small tip (5–10%) for exceptional service.
Tour guides: A 5–10% tip is typical for tour guides.
Hotel porters: One euro per bag is a good rule of thumb.
Cafés: While not expected, rounding up and leaving change for the staff is appreciated.
The standard voltage is 230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz. Italy uses three types of plugs: C, F, and L. Plug type C has two round pins, plug type F has two round pins with two earth clips, and plug type L has three round pins.
Shopping in Italy is subject to VAT (sales tax) of 22%. Visitors may be able to claim some VAT back on purchases made in Italy and take advantage of a duty-free allowance on goods bought outside the EU. Look for the “Tax-Free Shopping” sign in the windows of participating stores. To obtain your tax refund, you must complete a valid tax refund form, which you can get from participating stores. Present this form and goods to customs on departure at the airport, and you can receive your refund on the spot at some airports; otherwise, you can mail your tax refund form to the store, and a refund will be issued.
Bologna Welcome: https://www.bolognawelcome.com/en