San Luca Experience Tour skip the line and Food Tasting
Bologna, Italy
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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What's Included
- SKIP-THE-LINE San Luca Express Ticket
- Entrance Basilica of San Luca
- Tasting of typical local products
- Multilingual audio guide
- Welcome from Bologna Tour staff
- Map of Bologna
- Gratuities
- Guide
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Neptune squarePiazza del Nettuno, Bologna BO, Italy
Near the fountain of Neptune. It is requested to arrive 10 min before the scheduled meeting point time
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Ticket Redemption Point
Neptune square, Piazza del Nettuno, Bologna BO, Italy
What To Expect
1
Santuario di Madonna di San Luca
2
Quadrilatero
3
Piazza Maggiore
4
Portico di San Luca
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- To access the Basilica of San Luca you must have appropriate clothing (covered shoulders and long trousers/skirts at least below the knee)
- The audio guide is always available in Italian and English. However, for the other 8 languages, availability is not guaranteed for all timeslots. For specific requests, please contact us.
- If the train is not available, it will be replaced by an alternative means.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 60 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Mariela_E
Punctual, friendly staff, and very knowledgeable. Train ride to San Luca was delightful and east going.
Reviews
3.5
based on 70 reviews
Max_D, Dec 2025
Too much different the rates payed through Viator and the rates direct payable to the service provider. In the first case the rate is pretty much overestimating the value of the trip. Crowded train, bad audio quality, poor audio guide.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your feedback. We would like to clarify that the cost of the package you purchased does not reflect only the ticket for the San Luca train; it also includes the welcome and assistance provided by our staff, local product tastings, and the commissions applied by the platform.
Regarding the number of passengers, we are unable to predict in advance whether the train will be crowded. However, purchasing our package guarantees you have your seats reserved, unlike on-site ticket buyers. We appreciate your comments and will use them to further improve the experience.
Cynthia_F, Oct 2025
We had a great time on the little train learning about the area and arrived at the top of the hill to an Amazing church and view of the city.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
We're delighted you had an amazing experience in Bologna. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. We look forward to welcoming you again!
Phoebe_B, Aug 2025
Good little trip to the main attractions & the food vouchers are very helpful and they don’t expire which is great, means you can use them whenever around Bologna!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled you enjoyed your tour in Bologna. We hope to see you again soon!
Nadine_S, Jul 2025
Misleading experience. The tickets can easily be purchased at the booth yourself for €13. The guide simply walks you to the train—nothing more. The train takes you to the church, where you explore on your own and return whenever you like.
The so-called "food tasting" is disappointing and feels like a scam. You don’t eat at the local restaurant as implied. Instead, you’re given a voucher for the cheapest sandwich in town (worth about $3) that requires walking 900 meters, and a small ice cream (worth $2) from a separate shop 700 meters away—in the opposite direction.
Would not recommend.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear the experience didn't meet your expectations.
As clearly stated on the booking page, our staff accompanies guests to the San Luca Express departure point and provides two tasting vouchers to enjoy in the city after the visit. Moreover, these vouchers do not expire and can be used at any time, offering guests more flexibility to explore at their own pace.
We appreciate your comments and will take them into account to keep improving our services.
Denise_J, Jul 2025
Nothing special, the ride up was nice. The food vouchers were for touristy restaurants that we didn’t use. Better off spending the money and eating good food.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for your feedback. We're happy you enjoyed the ride to San Luca! Our experience is designed to go beyond the tour, and includes a personal welcome, an exclusive audio guide, a city map, and tasting vouchers for local street food. The vouchers are meant to give you full flexibility: they don't expire and can be used whenever and however suits you best, making the experience more customizable. We're sorry to hear they didn't meet your expectations this time, and we sincerely hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back soon!
Debbie_S, May 2025
Skip this. You can buy the tickets directly, the experience is the same, and less money. I got a fancy envelope and two coupons to find my way to get a cheap sandwich and a cookie. The tour company walked me over to the train and I was supposed to "skip the line". When the train came it was a "free for all" nothing special for me. The train ride itself up to San Luca was okay, but the train ride down was frightening. It was truly a "crazy train" ride with excessive speed, and the cars whipping around. It was actually a scary experience.
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear Debbie,
we're truly sorry to hear that your experience was so disappointing.
Certain aspects—such as the train operation and driving—are managed by the train staff and are unfortunately beyond our direct control.
The additional cost of booking through our service covers several elements, including the work of our staff, a detailed map of Bologna, and tasting vouchers designed to enhance the overall experience.
Regarding the “skip-the-line” feature, we’d like to clarify that there are two separate lines for the train experience: one for ticket purchase and one for boarding. By booking with us, you skip the ticket line and are guaranteed a seat on the selected train. If you wait to purchase tickets on-site, it’s possible that the train you want may already be fully booked, which can lead to delays and a less smooth experience.
Anna_B, Jan 2025
While I wasn't expecting the world based from the previous reviews, I'm surprised our experience had never been described. This shouldn't even be an offered experience. First, the process to get on the train was not very clear. We went to the meeting location but didn't know who or what we were looking for. None of the surrounding businesses in the piazza knew either. We stood in line at the actual train and the "Sky Express" employees also had no idea where we were supposed to go or how to obtain our tickets. We missed our scheduled train time. We finally found a business that contacted the Viator company for us. Our experience was postponed an hour, after already being there a half hour before our scheduled departure time. We were at the square at 1:30 and didn't catch the train until 3 pm. Beyond aggravating. Bologna Tour did email us about the postponed time, but we weren't on Wifi, so I didn't know (also found out on our last day that Bologna has free open wifi throughput the city center). The train ride up was fine and luckily the holiday hours gave us additional options for leaving. The delay just gave us less time to enjoy San Lucas. We were provided coupons for a few snacks in downtown Bologna. Unfortunately, it was our last day and we were unable to use them all. We left them for the next visitors at our Airbnb. So why do I think this shouldn't be offered, because it's not worth it. The girl met us at the location walked us to the train, exchanged tickets at the train for our receipt and said Caio. The train is 13 euros, you can skip the nonsense and middle man and just get the tickets when you want. What you're paying Viator for is nonsense. You don't need the free food, just walk the streets and try what you want. Save yourself the money and skip this "experience ".
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Dear Anna,
We’re truly sorry that your experience didn’t meet your expectations.
We were present at the agreed meeting point, clearly indicated on the platform at the time of booking. We made every possible effort to contact you, in order to find you and resolve the situation, but unfortunately, we were unable to reach you, which led to the delay and the change in the tour time. Despite this, out team worked quickly to find a solution and ensure you could still enjoy your experience to the best of our ability.
Please, bear in mind that the price of the tour includes not only the San Luca Express ticket but also maps and audio guides to enhance your visit to the San Luca Basilica and hill, besides our customer service available for any needs, and vouchers for trying local sweet and savory treats in the center of Bologna. We regret that you were unable to use your vouchers, which would have definitely added value to your experience.
We hope to welcome you again in the future and provide you with an even more enjoyable visit.
Pamela_B, Nov 2024
The ride to the cathedral took over an hour due to traffic spent about an hour there. The food vouchers are a joke You have to find the location then stand in line Better to book a fad tour
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Hi Pamela,
sorry to read that you did not like our San Luca Experience Tour skip the line and Food Tasting.
I see that you booked the tour during a holiday weekend here in Bologna, which is why you found traffic to get to the Basilica of San Luca and queues at the vendors for tastings: variables that unfortunately we cannot control.
We hope to see you again soon for more tours!
Kevin_M, Sep 2024
Totally misleading. Raises expectations which are not matched. Better if you separately buy train ticket and that’s it. No food tasting at all. They give you some crappy discount vouchers. Google points are not even correct. Family of 4 split in 2 due to limited spaces. Disappointing. Do not waste your money.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Ciao Kevin,
Thank you for taking the time to write your feedback.
Our San Luca Express and Food Tasting includes: the San Luca Express tickets with skip-the-line, a map of the itinerary and the train schedule, the audioguide on board, discount vouchers to enjoy in the city centre, a map of the city with other interesting points in town, and, as mentioned in the tour title, food tasting vouchers to enjoy in selected shops in the city centre - one for a savoury delicay and one for a sweet treat.
As well, our tour incldues an audioguide in QR code of the Basilica of San Luca, so you can discover its curiosities once on top of the hill.
Lastly, the package is always delivered by hand by our dedicated staff at the meeting point, who remains always at disposal on the contacts written on the package itself for any necessity related to the tour.
We hope to have cleared any doubt, and hopw you enjoyed the beautiful city of Bologna nonetheless!
Kind regards,
Dipak_G, Jun 2024
Tickets yo san luca are much cheaper than buying through viator
Fodd vouchers are a waste of time
Very basic food not worth the efforts to hunt
Sorry
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thank you for your feedback! Compared to purchasing the ticket in the square, the cost of the tour includes the assistance of the Bologna Tour welcome staff, who are available for any questions and needs, help you skip the often long lines during high season, provide a map of Bologna, tasting vouchers, and discount coupons. Additionally, buying through a platform incurs a higher cost than purchasing directly on the site. We regret that you did not enjoy the tastings, but they are usually highly appreciated as we personally select the best typical foods of the city to ensure high quality!
Don_A, May 2024
Save your money and buy tickets directly from vendor in the piazza. Tasting is a voucher for a focaccia and gelato you can buy yourself
Response from Host, May 2024
Good morning, we are sorry to read this review! We would like to specify that, compared to purchasing tickets in the square, our tour includes a welcome from our staff who delivers all the material necessary for the tour including a map of the city, some extra audio guides and free discount coupons. Furthermore, we are available for any doubts or suggestions and the ticket is a skip-the-line ticket, unlike the one that can be purchased in the square, risking waiting hours. Finally, the tastings are highly selected to guarantee a high quality local product. We hope to have resolved any doubts and to see you again soon in Bologna!
Barbara_L, Apr 2024
This was really nothing more than meeting a guide at the train stop, getting our train tickets and then we got a few coupons to get free tastings of 2 different foods to try on our own. It was fine, but we expected to have the guide with us a little more. The guide basically took off after we got on the train. We had to wait in a long line for the return and that was not expected.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thank you for your feedback! As stated on all booking platforms, this is not a guided tour. You are welcomed by a member of our staff who provides the tour material and is available for information or suggestions. They accompany travelers to the train, skipping the line. After that, tourists have access to audioguides in 10 languages with explanations of what they encounter along the way. Once you arrive at the basilica, you can get off to visit it and then take the train back to the city center. Unfortunately, the line for the return trip is beyond our control. Upon returning to the city, you can use the vouchers to enjoy typical tastings. We hope you enjoyed your visit!
Sandra_Q, Oct 2023
Easy to locate meeting place. Clear cut instructions and information provided by guide. Absolutely worth seeing San Luca Basiica. Stunning views all around!
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Many thanks! We are so happy that you enjoyed the tour and the splendid Basilica!
Mariela_E, Oct 2023
Punctual, friendly staff, and very knowledgeable. Train ride to San Luca was delightful and east going.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
We appreciate it so much! Thank you!
William_S, Jun 2023
San Luca and the ride up!! Had a great time touring the grounds, church, and some overlook. Take this trip.
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Thank you
Ann_G, May 2023
The experience consisted of a little motorised train that took us from the city square up the hill to the Basilica. Stunning views when we arrived, and well worth a visit. When we got the train back to the town centre we took the vouchers we were given and exchanged these for some mortadella ham and bread at one place and an jce cream at another. Not exactly what we had expected and definitely not worth the £25 each we had paid!
We could simply have paid for the trip to the Basilica and saved ourselves 12 euros a head. Poor value for money - avoid!
Response from Host, May 2023
Dear customer, we say that your review is very unfair and incorrect. I understand that you may not have liked the tour but probably if you hadn't paid 25 euros on a platform that still has costs you wouldn't have had the seat assigned and you would have queued for 1 hour to get on the train. And the tastings are excellent local specialties... not bread and mortadella!! I hope you can understand before writing the reviews. If I wrote it about you it would be funny. Good stay
Ninon_M, Dec 2022
Train and your company contact were late ( more than 30 minutes). Due to bad weather the tour should have been canceled and refunded. Fog was so intense that we couldn’t see San Luca or surroundings. Restaurant was close. Church even closed the observation deck. We had to wait 2 hours for the train to come back and pick us up.
Used Viator multiple time and were always very satisfied. Company should have canceled as the weather was really bad and completely useless to take us on a tour with main attraction is a view of Bologna.
Response from Host, Dec 2022
Hello, you have left a negative review in the wrong place. Bad weather does not depend on us. No one could stop her from changing the day or asking for a refund but this review is false and defamatory. I ask her to take it off. Good day
Osmel_M, Aug 2022
Flexible way to visit San Luca. The ride is fun, kids enjoyed it, and you can go at your own pace in the Sanctuary.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Thank you
KitDaniel_S, Jul 2022
With the pic-nic option you only meet the hosts at the start where you get a little box with a little bit of food (not much) and a beer; from there you go with the train/express up to San Luca along with other people (the train/express can be booked separately). You do not have a personal guide with you during the trip or at the basilica. They do add a small gift with the food box, but would have preferred a more personalised tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2022
Thank you But nowhere is it written that there had to be a guide. Check your reservation
Theresa_T, May 2022
Ride to church actually costs E12 with return ,very fair. Tour with Food tasting paid E30 , definitely not worth it, would definitely not recommend.
Response from Host, May 2022
What you say is false and incorrect
Michael_S, Apr 2022
The train trip to San Lucas was good, interesting information during the tripp. Though the food tasting was not worth the money. The tripp including "food taste" was EUR 60 for two, for just a ticket with the train the cost was EUR 23 for two. One tiny bread with mortadella and a small icecream for EUR 37 was shocking. On top of that one had to navigate to one place to get the mortatella and then another 10 minutes walk to the icecream. It felt like beeing scammed paying EUR 60 for something you could get for EUR 23. The extremely expenisve, so called "food tasting", made the impression of the trip a real disaster. I just remember it as "usuary"
Response from Host, Apr 2022
This report is false and deceptive. The gentleman simply did not want to do the tastings because he wanted to go home and showed up in the square in a rude way, throwing the vouchers on the ground and demanding that we give him back in cash, I repeat the tasting money in cash, giving wrong reviews Attitude to the limit of the complaint. One must be ashamed to turn to a girl like that. learn education!
sue_o, Mar 2022
The train ride up the mountain was interesting with a good commentary in our chosen language. The palisade up the mountain is the longest in the world at about 5km. The timetable of trips was adequate. The icon of the Madonna was interesting and there were some good views over the local countryside and the city. There was nothing else up there except one restaurant.
The cost of the trip via Viatour was expensive, although it does include some tasting experiences in the city. It is cheaper to pay on the day in the square.
Response from Host, Mar 2022
Thank you
Alexa_L, Mar 2022
The food vouchers were AMAZING and it forced you to walk around the city, which was nice. And the train was lovely!
Response from Host, Mar 2022
Thank you
Julien_B, Aug 2025
Overall it was fun, but there is no audio guide in French. And it’s not so organized, I’ve been able to cut the wire for a while. Not sure if I made a deal.
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Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for your feedback! We’re sorry about the audioguide — not all trains have it in French, and we don’t know in advance which train will be used at a certain time. Regarding the queue: once we receive your booking, we immediately reserve your seats. So even if you see many people waiting, your spots are guaranteed. We’re glad you shared your experience!"
Lelis_M, May 2024
Foi bom mas a volta bagunçada as pessoas não respeitaram a fila e faltou um guia para conhecer as obras no santuario
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you for this feedback, it is very important to us! We hope to see you again soon!
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San Luca Experience Tour skip the line and Food Tasting
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