# Florence to Venice train: 204 km that end at the edge of the lagoon Frecciarossa and Italo link Florence and Venice in as little as 2 hours 5 minutes — arriving not at a road, but at the head of the Grand Canal, over the same 1846 causeway that first gave Venice a fixed connection to dry land. - 204 km — Santa Maria Novella to Santa Lucia distance - 2h 5m — fastest direct journey - ~36 — combined daily departures - 1846 — rail causeway first linked Venice to land ## Florence to Venice: train vs plane vs coach vs car No airline sells a direct flight on this route, in-town parking doesn't exist in Venice, and however you arrive on the mainland the last stretch is on foot or by boat anyway. The train runs city centre (Santa Maria Novella) to city centre (Santa Lucia) in 2h 5m–2h 20m, from around €19.90 one-way. ## What is the Florence to Venice train journey? The route runs 204 km from Firenze Santa Maria Novella north through Bologna and the Padua plain, before crossing the lagoon on a 3.6 km rail causeway into Venezia Santa Lucia. The Florence–Bologna section runs almost entirely through tunnel — 73.8 km of the line's 78.5 km, including the Vaglia Tunnel, Italy's longest railway tunnel at 18.7 km — while Bologna–Padova–Venice continues on upgraded but conventional track. Route: Firenze Santa Maria Novella → Bologna Centrale → Padova → Venezia Mestre → Venezia Santa Lucia. - Firenze Santa Maria Novella: Florence's central terminus, a 10-minute walk from the Duomo. - Venezia Santa Lucia: the only station inside historic Venice, its front steps lead straight onto the Grand Canal. ## Getting around Florence and Venice once you arrive Florence you walk. Venice, you can only walk or float. From Santa Maria Novella, the Duomo is 10 minutes on foot and ATAF buses stop outside. From Santa Lucia, you step straight onto the Grand Canal; Vaporetto Line 1/2 covers it end to end; no cars, buses or taxis operate inside the historic center. ## How the Florence-Venice route learned to cross water - Before 1846: Venice reachable only by boat. - 1846: the Ferrovia Ferdinandea causeway opens, 3.6 km of 222 arches, Venice's first fixed link to land. - 1860s: Santa Lucia station replaces a demolished 12th-century convent. - 1933: a parallel road causeway (today's Ponte della Libertà) lets vehicles reach Venice too. - Since 2009: Apennine tunnels cut the Florence–Bologna leg; Frecciarossa 1000 and Italo AGV now cover 204 km in ~2h 5m. ## Florence highlights before your train Duomo di Firenze, the Uffizi Gallery and Oltrarno, and the Ponte Vecchio — all within a short walk of Santa Maria Novella. ## Venice highlights after you arrive Piazza San Marco and the Basilica, the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge, and the Doge's Palace with the Bridge of Sighs — all within walking distance or one vaporetto stop of Santa Lucia. ## Trenitalia or Italo? Trenitalia Frecciarossa & Frecciargento: 2h 5m direct, ~25 direct daily departures. Italo (open-access): 2h 20m direct, ~11 direct daily departures. Italo often prices €5-10 cheaper; Trenitalia runs more often. ## Four seat classes - Standard / Smart: 2-2 seating, free WiFi, at-seat power, bar car. - Premium / Comfort: more legroom, wider recline. - Business / Executive: 2-1 seating, at-seat food, priority boarding. - Executive Cabin: Italo's private 4-seat Salotto compartment. ## What's included on board Free WiFi, power socket at every seat, fold-down tray table, bar car and at-seat trolley, luggage racks with no size limit, restrooms in every carriage, a quiet zone, and included seat reservation. ## Practical tips Book advance fares early (from ~€19.90, 90-120 days out). Compare Trenitalia and Italo — prices flip day to day. Double-check your ticket says Santa Lucia, not Mestre. Check Venice's acqua alta forecast if traveling October–January. ## Can you do Florence to Venice as a day trip? Yes, tight but doable: 06:50 early train out, 09:00 arrive at Santa Lucia, 15:00 afternoon free for Rialto/Dorsoduro/Murano, 19:30 evening train back. ## FAQ **How long does the train from Florence to Venice take?** As little as 2 hours 5 minutes. **How far is it from Florence to Venice by train?** 204 km (about 127 miles). **Which stations do trains use?** Firenze Santa Maria Novella and Venezia Santa Lucia (some services also stop at Venezia Mestre on the mainland). **Cheapest way to travel?** Advance fares from around €19.90-24.90 one way, released 90-120 days ahead. **Are there direct trains?** Yes, around 36 combined daily departures, though most call at Bologna and/or Padova. **Is there an overnight train?** No — the trip is too short for a sleeper service. **Trenitalia or Italo?** Trenitalia runs more often; Italo often prices €5-10 cheaper. **Is Business or Premium worth it?** Standard/Smart is comfortable for most travelers on this ~2-hour trip. **How far in advance should I book?** 90-120 days ahead for the cheapest fares. **Faster than flying or driving?** Yes for nearly everyone — no direct flights exist, and Venice's center has no roads at all. **Can I use a rail pass?** Eurail/Interrail accepted, but a separate seat reservation is still required. **Luggage lockers at the stations?** Yes, at both Santa Maria Novella and Santa Lucia. **Delayed trains?** Both operators compensate delays over 60 minutes. **Best time of year to travel?** Year-round; check acqua alta forecasts in autumn/winter. **Can I bring a bike?** Folded bikes allowed as standard luggage; full-size bikes need a booked space. --- Book tickets: https://highspeedtrains.com