Florence to Venice Trains from €23.57

Departure station: Departing from Firenze Santa Maria Novella

Firenze SMN has several cafés across the main concourse. For a proper Florentine espresso at a fair price, head to the smaller bar counters near the platforms rather than the outlets closer to the main entrance. Stand at the bar and order a quick caffeine fix before your train.

The official Kibag luggage storage is located inside the station near platform 16, with a street-side entrance on Via Valfonda, open daily 07:00–21:00.

Arrival station: Arriving at Venezia Santa Lucia

Make sure your ticket says Santa Lucia, not Mestre

This is the single most important thing to check before booking. Venezia Santa Lucia is located directly on the main island in the historic city centre, right on the Grand Canal, while Venezia Mestre is on the mainland, several kilometres away. Booking platforms sometimes default to listing both stations under a generic "Venice" search, so confirm Santa Lucia is selected before paying.

If you do end up at Mestre by mistake, a Regional train departs every few minutes for a quick 10-minute ride across the lagoon to Santa Lucia.

Onward travel from Santa Lucia

• By Vaporetto: From the Grand Canal, you can board the Vaporetto (water bus) directly to reach accommodations further along the canal or toward St. Mark's Square. Make sure to buy or validate your ticket before boarding.
• By water taxi: Available right outside the station for those travelling with luggage or wanting a faster, more direct route to their hotel. Pricier than the Vaporetto, but considerably quicker.
• On foot: A scenic way to arrive, weaving through Cannaregio's narrow streets and over a series of small bridges en route to the centre.

Frecciarossa

• Avg. duration: as fast as 1 hour 51 minutes
• Departure station: Florence Santa Maria Novella (Firenze SMN)
• Best for: Travellers who want departure time flexibility, CartaFRECCIA loyalty holders; those wanting the widest choice of classes
• Onboard perks: Four classes — Standard, Premium, Business, and Executive — with free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and reclining seats across all tiers; Executive class includes wider reclining seats and a dedicated at-seat catering service.
• Worth knowing: The earliest train departs at 07:15 on weekdays (07:20 on weekends), with the latest departure at 21:30 — giving you plenty of flexibility whether you're going for a day trip or a longer stay.

Italo

• Avg. duration: around 2 hours
• Departure station: Firenze SMN
• Best for: Travellers who value comfort and a boutique private-operator feel; budget-conscious travellers booking early
• Onboard perks: English-speaking customer support, no check-in required before boarding, free Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating throughout. Italo Prima (First Class) includes power sockets, a table, leather armchairs, reading lights, and a glove compartment.
• Worth knowing: Prices start from €18.90 when booking well in advance; however, closer to the travel date, prices are in the range of the Frecciarossa.

Intercity

• Avg. duration: 2 to 4 hours, depending on the service
• Departure station: Firenze Rifredi
• Best for: Budget travellers with flexible schedules; those who don't mind extra stops
• Onboard perks: Fixed seating, more stops along the route, and lower fares than the high-speed options.
• Worth knowing: Considerably slower than Frecciarossa or Italo, only worth considering if price is your top priority and you have time to spare. No need to book in advance as prices are fixed.

• Confirm Santa Lucia, not Mestre: This is the most important check before booking. Some Frecciarossa and Italo services terminate at Venezia Mestre on the mainland rather than Venezia Santa Lucia. Always verify your arrival station, especially if your hotel is near the Grand Canal.
• Book early — Italo fares climb fast: Italo tickets start from €18.90, but that entry-level price disappears quickly as departure approaches.
• Track your train in real time: Delays do occasionally happen on this route, particularly around Bologna, where several lines converge. You can monitor your train's live status in the app so you're never caught off guard.
• Validate paper tickets; skip the hassle with digital ones: Regional and Intercity tickets must be validated before boarding. Tickets bought via TrainPal are validated digitally from the moment of purchase — one less thing to think about with your bags in hand.
• Watch the Venice access fee: On selected dates in 2026, day visitors to Venice's historic centre must pay an entry fee set by the Municipality of Venice. Check whether it applies to your travel date and whether you qualify for an exemption before you go.