Trains to Venice | Tickets & Train Times

Trains to Venice

Venice is the Italian city famous for its unique canal system, which makes it one of the world's most beautiful destinations. Most passengers will depart a train to Venice at Santa Lucia station, on the banks of the Grand Canal. Alternatively, trains to Venice arrive at Venice Mestre, in the modern city of Venice. High-speed trains to Venice depart from Rome and Milan every day. Slower regional trains to Venice depart from Northern Italian cities like Padua, Trieste and Verona.

Trenitalia trains to Venice

Trenitalia provides regional and high-speed Frecciarossa trains to Venice's main stations, Venice Santa Lucia and Venice Mestre. Regional trains to Venice depart from stations throughout Northern Italy, including Padua, Verona, Trieste, Milan and more. Many of these regional services stop in small local stations between larger cities and provide invaluable commuter service.

Most tourists choose to board a high-speed Frecciarossa train to Venice. High-speed Frecciarossa trains to Venice's main stations depart from Rome, Milan, Bologna, Naples and more. Journey time on high-speed Frecciarossa trains can be reduced by as much as a third, in comparison with boarding a regional service. 

Main train stations in Venice

Venice Santa Lucia is the city's main train station and the terminus for the majority of tourists who arrive to visit the island. Venice Santa Lucia sits on the Grand Canal, and is only 1 mile (1.5 km) from the attractions of the historic center. Travelers can walk from Santa Lucia to the Rialto Bridge in 20 minutes, and Saint Mark's square in around 30. Venice Santa Lucia is connected to the islands of the lagoon and stations around San Marco via the waterbus. 

Venice Mestre is on the Venetian mainland, near the modern city of Venice. Venice Mestre is 6.5 miles (10.4 km) from the historic center of Venice. To reach the historic center, travelers will have to board a conventional bus and then take a waterbus to the island of San Marco. Both train stations are wheelchair accessible and modern, with all expected amenities, including a manned ticket office, ticket machines, and shops selling refreshments, snacks, and pre-journey entertainment options. 

How can I find cheap train tickets to Venice?

The best way to find a cheap train to Venice is to book well in advance of the intended departure date. Travel experts advise the best time to find cheap train tickets is around 2 months to 6 weeks before the intended departure, so book then for the best deal. Passengers should also retain flexibility with their specific departure dates. Look to days on either side of the planned departure date to find the best possible deal for you. Prices often fluctuate throughout a given week depending on expected passenger load. If travelers have to travel on a specific date, they can find a cheap train to Venice by choosing to travel outside of peak travel hours on their departure date. Prices vary throughout the day depending on commuting hours and other factors, like the number of bookings received. 

Before you travel to Venice by train—good to know:

Travelers know Venice as one of the world's most romantic cities, a historic jewel and a land of interconnecting azure canals, surrounded by a blue lagoon. However, this water city promises more than historic attractions. Modern and contemporary art lovers will simply adore Venice. The Venice Biennale, the world's most prestigious contemporary art show, takes place on Venice's isle of San Marco every 2 years. Art lovers will have the chance to view works by the world's leading contemporary artists exhibiting in a variety of mediums, including sculpture, painting, film, and photography, across 2 colossal exhibition halls. As if that wasn't enough, travelers will find a stunning range of performance, theater and concert events taking place during a Biennale season, which lasts around 6 months. Contemporary art lovers shouldn't feel too disappointed if they miss a Biennale year on their Venice visit; the Peggy Guggenheim Gallery has works from some of the world's most prestigious modern and contemporary artists, including Rodin, Kazimir Malevich, and Tracey Emin. 

If art isn't your thing, Venice might have something more to your taste —​ food! Venetian cuisine is unique among Italian food, due to its Eastern flavors which are a consequence of Venetian explorer Marco Polo's travels in the Orient. Travelers will find traditional Venetian fare in the city's historic enotecas, wine bars which serve small plates and delicate pasta dishes, but they'll often pay a pretty penny. To enjoy Venetian cuisine on the cheap, head to the city's Bacaro, small bars which sell traditional Venetian snacks —​ including miniature octopus, polenta and scallops — for as little as 1 EUR apiece! ​

The best way to get around Venice proper is on foot, but if travelers want to explore islands like Murano or visit the Lido, they should board a Vaporetto, water bus.