Blurent Rental company category:Economy
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Ar AutoriparazioniLocation Details on Blurent DocumentationView map
Hiring a campervan in Calderara di Reno means hitting the road on the north-western edge of Bologna, a stone's throw from Guglielmo Marconi airport, without facing the city-centre traffic. This lowland town, bordered by the Reno river, reaches the Bologna ring road and the motorways to Milan, Florence, Venice and the Adriatic in a few minutes. Partner company Blurent hands over its vehicles here through a local garage, Ar Autoriparazioni.
To the north lie the towns of the Bassa and the banks of the Po, to the south the Bolognese Apennines and their passes into Tuscany, to the east the ceramic towns of Romagna: three very different trips, each less than an hour's drive from the starting point.
1 rental partner
Where to pick up your vehicle in Calderara di Reno?
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Calderara di Reno
1 The Bassa, from the Gonzagas to the banks of the Po
- Calderara di Reno
- Cento
- Nonantola
- Carpi
- Novellara
- Guastalla
- Brescello
- Calderara di Reno
Head north-west across the plain: Cento keeps the paintings of Guercino, who was born in the town, then Nonantola its Benedictine abbey founded in the 8th century. Carpi opens onto the vast Piazza dei Martiri, Novellara onto the Gonzaga fortress, and Guastalla recalls the former duchy of the same family. Brescello, on the Po, was the set of the Don Camillo films, whose memories are kept in a small museum.
- Distance
- about 200 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhomes
2 The Bolognese Apennines and the Futa Pass
- Calderara di Reno
- Pontecchio Marconi
- Marzabotto
- Monte Sole
- Lake Suviana
- Castiglione dei Pepoli
- Futa Pass
- Barberino di Mugello
- Calenzano
To the south, Villa Griffone in Pontecchio Marconi, where Guglielmo Marconi carried out his first radio experiments, also houses his mausoleum. Higher up, the Monte Sole historical park keeps alive the memory of the 1944 massacres, near the excavations of the Etruscan city of Marzabotto. After Lake Suviana and Castiglione dei Pepoli, the Futa Pass and its German war cemetery open the descent towards the Mugello and Calenzano.
- Distance
- about 160 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or compact motorhome
3 Ocarinas, faience and the Imola circuit
- Calderara di Reno
- Budrio
- Bagnacavallo
- Lugo
- Faenza
- Imola
- Calderara di Reno
Heading east, Budrio has been making ocarinas since the 19th century and devotes a museum to them. Bagnacavallo is laid out around its elliptical Piazza Nuova, Lugo around its fortress and the arcaded Pavaglione, before Faenza, whose international ceramics museum recalls that the town gave its name to faience. The way back runs through Imola and its racing circuit, on the edge of the Acque Minerali park.
- Distance
- about 180 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhomes
Weather and seasons
When to go in Calderara di Reno?
Best time
April to June, September and October
April to June, September to October
highs 19 to 29 °C, lows 8 to 18 °C
April, June, September and October offer the best conditions for leaving from Calderara: mild days, eleven hours of sunshine in spring and moderate rainfall. Spring suits the banks of the Po and the towns of the Bassa, autumn the Apennine roads, when chestnut festivals liven up the villages around Castiglione dei Pepoli. May, more prone to storms, is better for museums.
High season
July and August
July to August
highs 32 °C, lows 20 °C
Afternoons reach 32 °C on average on the plain around the airport, and nights hardly drop below 20 °C. This is the season to drive up to Lake Suviana, where you can swim, or to the Apennine ridges. Around 15 August, many shops close: do your shopping before leaving and bring mosquito nets for evenings on the plain.
Winter
November to March
November to March
highs 8 to 15 °C, lows 0 to 6 °C
November is the wettest month, and January nights come close to 0 °C. Winter is still a season for towns: the Santa Lucia fair sets up its stalls under the porticoes of Bologna in December, and the Cento carnival, twinned with Rio's, parades on several Sundays at the end of winter. Check that your chosen campsites are open and pick a heated vehicle.
Climate in Calderara di Reno, month by month
Most pleasant months: April, June to October.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8 °C | 0 °C | 42 mm | 6 h/day |
| Feb | 12 °C | 2 °C | 75 mm | 7 h/day |
| Mar | 15 °C | 5 °C | 59 mm | 9 h/day |
| Apr | 19 °C | 8 °C | 62 mm | 11 h/day |
| May | 23 °C | 13 °C | 120 mm | 11 h/day |
| Jun | 29 °C | 18 °C | 59 mm | 13 h/day |
| Jul | 32 °C | 20 °C | 45 mm | 13 h/day |
| Aug | 32 °C | 20 °C | 50 mm | 12 h/day |
| Sep | 26 °C | 16 °C | 73 mm | 10 h/day |
| Oct | 21 °C | 11 °C | 77 mm | 8 h/day |
| Nov | 13 °C | 6 °C | 94 mm | 6 h/day |
| Dec | 9 °C | 2 °C | 70 mm | 5 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Pick-up at the partner garage
Blurent hands over its vehicles in Calderara di Reno through its local partner, the Ar Autoriparazioni garage. The exact address and meeting time are given in the booking documentation sent by Blurent: check them before you arrive, especially if you land in Bologna on the day of departure.
The ring road at rush hour
The tangenziale, a toll-free ring road that skirts northern Bologna alongside the A14, links Calderara to the A1, A13 and A14 motorways. It gets congested in the morning and late afternoon, with many lorries: for your first drive in the vehicle, set off mid-morning or early afternoon instead.
Bologna, a 30 km/h city
Since 2024, most streets in Bologna have been limited to 30 km/h, and the historic centre is a limited traffic zone monitored by cameras. To reach the hills south of the city or the road to Pontecchio Marconi, stay on the ring road and the motorway to the nearest exit rather than cutting through the neighbourhoods.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Calderara di Reno
Where can I pick up a campervan in Calderara di Reno?
One partner company is present: Blurent, which hands over its campervans and motorhomes in Calderara di Reno at the Ar Autoriparazioni garage. The exact place and meeting time are given in the booking documentation. If your dates do not work, other partner companies operate in Bologna, Modena and Imola.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Calderara di Reno?
The price depends on the season, the length of hire and the vehicle, from a two-berth campervan to a family motorhome. Run a search with your dates: you will get the real rates, mandatory fees included, and can compare them at a glance with the nearby departures from Bologna and Modena.
How do I get to the depot from Bologna airport?
Guglielmo Marconi airport almost touches the town: a taxi reaches Calderara di Reno in about ten minutes outside rush hour. The Marconi Express monorail, which runs to Bologna central station, would not bring you any closer. Give your flight number to the rental company so that it can time the vehicle handover with your arrival.
Can I return the vehicle in another city?
Partner companies operate in Bologna, Modena, Toscanella and Imola, but also in Calenzano, north of Florence, at the end of the Futa road. Returning elsewhere than Calderara depends on the company and the dates: enter your return city when searching, and any one-way fees will be included in the price shown.
Can I visit Bologna before leaving?
Yes, and without the campervan: buses and regional trains link Calderara to the centre of Bologna. One day is enough for Piazza Maggiore, the two towers, the porticoes listed as a World Heritage Site and the Quadrilatero market, before a dinner of tortellini. Keep the vehicle pick-up for the next morning, well rested.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Calderara di Reno with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
Good and quick communication, easy to book and easy to follow all the instructions.
C.
Italy · Sep 2025
Trustpilot
Cooldrive was very attentive and very responsive in all situations. We received valuable assistance in the steps to be taken. I highly recommend it.
P.
Italy · Jul 2025
Trustpilot
The person answered my questions before I confirmed the booking. The van matched my order well with extras. During my trip, I had a little issue that had nothing to do with Cooldrive. I appreciated that the person took the time to call me back. No bad surprises, only good ones. Highly recommended.
Q.
Italy · Sep 2024
Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Calderara di Reno
What licence do I need to drive a motorhome in Italy?
A category B licence is enough for campervans, converted vans and motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes. A licence issued outside the European Union often has to be accompanied by an international driving permit or an official translation. The minimum age and years of driving required are set by each rental company: check them in the offer conditions before booking.
Where can I stay overnight with a motorhome around Calderara di Reno?
The Città di Bologna campsite, near the exhibition centre, is the closest for a first night or the night before returning the vehicle. On the plain as in the hills, many towns provide motorhome areas, and agritourism farms in the Apennines welcome travellers. Elsewhere, check each town's rules on overnight parking.
Are motorways tolled when leaving from Calderara?
The Bologna ring road is free, but the A1, A13 and A14 motorways are tolled: you take a ticket at the entrance and pay at the exit, according to a class that depends on the number of axles and the height of the vehicle. For the Po or Romagna, toll-free main roads also cross the plain.
Do I need snow chains for the Apennines in winter?
On many Italian mountain roads, including those of the Futa Pass and Lake Suviana, winter tyres or snow chains on board are compulsory during the cold season, generally from mid-November to mid-April, when signs say so. Ask the rental company whether the vehicle is equipped.
When should I book a campervan in Calderara di Reno?
With only one rental company on site, the fleet is limited: book several months ahead for July, August and the Italian long weekends of 25 April, 1 May and 2 June. The rest of the year, a few weeks are often enough. If your dates are taken, widen the search to Bologna or Modena.
About us
Why start a motorhome trip from Calderara di Reno
Calderara di Reno is a handy departure point for anyone flying into Bologna: the vehicle is picked up a few minutes from the runways, outside the city, and the ring road leads straight to the motorways. From this plain north-west of Bologna, you reach in a single stage the Gonzaga towns and the banks of the Po, the Apennine ridges and Tuscany via the Futa Pass, or the towns of ceramics and engines in Romagna.
Partner company Blurent hands over its campervans and motorhomes here through a local garage. Bologna, Modena, Toscanella and Imola, other departure cities of our partners, widen the choice of vehicles, and Calenzano, on the outskirts of Florence, makes a one-way trip to Tuscany possible. April and the period from June to October offer the most pleasant climate for this trip.