Venice to Padova Trains from €3.65

Perhaps one of the Veneto's best kept secrets, just 37 kilometres separate Venice from Padova, allowing you to swap the canals of Venice for Padova's frescoed chapels and medieval arcades – all for the price of a coffee and in well under half an hour.

As an official, authorised ticketing reseller for Trenitalia (including Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca, Intercity and regional trains) and Italo (NTV), TrainPal offers secure bookings, live seat selection, official e-tickets and reliable customer support – everything you need to travel with confidence between two of the Veneto's finest cities.

Departure station: Departing from Venezia Santa Lucia and Venezia Mestre

For trains to Padova, Venice has two departure stations, Venezia Santa Lucia if you’re staying on the island and Venezia Mestre if you’re staying on the mainland. From Mestre, the journey is only 13 minutes, so if you’re travelling from Santa Lucia, you’ll spend half of the journey just crossing the lagoon.

Venezia Santa Lucia

The island terminus right on the banks of the Grand Canal, Venezia Santa Lucia is the station that railway dreams are made of, and the platforms are just steps from the water. It's the natural choice for anyone staying in Venice itself, and the journey to Padova from here takes around 26 to 28 minutes. Platforms are easy to reach, and all trains depart from the same level. For luggage storage, KiPoint is available near platform 1, open daily from 06:00 to 23:00.

Venezia Mestre

If you're staying on the mainland side of the lagoon, or arriving by car from elsewhere in the Veneto, Venezia Mestre is the faster and more practical option, with a Chef Express café, a 24-hour car park, bus station and a KiPoint luggage storage facility just next door. The journey to Padova from Mestre takes just 13 to 15 minutes.

Arrival station: Arriving at Padova Centrale

Padova's main railway station, Padova Centrale, sits at the northern edge of the historic centre, and is a  20-minute walk from the main piazzas and many of the city's most important sites. It's a functional, well organised station with a clear layout – nothing as dramatic as Venezia Santa Lucia, but easy to navigate on arrival.

From the main station, the historic centre is very walkable – most of Padova's main sights are 15-20 minutes on foot, and the city's famous covered arcades make for a pleasant walk, even in poor weather. Alternatively, taxis are available outside the main entrance or you can board tram line 1 from directly outside the station. It runs through the heart of the city, stopping at all the main highlights, including the Scrovegni Chapel (Eremitani stop, 2 minutes), the University district and Prato della Valle.

Frecciarossa

Trenitalia's high speed flagship serves this route as part of longer Milan-Venice or Turin-Venice services, stopping at Venezia Mestre en route.

• Average journey time: 13 minutes from Mestre, 26 minutes from Santa Lucia.
• Best for: Passengers travelling Frecciarossa to Milan, Turin or Bologna who want to hop off at Padova, or those who prefer the most comfortable onboard experience.
• Onboard perks: Free Wi-Fi, at-seat power sockets, cafe car, four travel classes – Standard, Premium, Business and Executive.
• Worth knowing: Frecciarossa tickets for this short hop can be considerably more expensive than a regional fare. Unless you're already travelling on a longer Frecciarossa journey, the regional train is almost always better value.

Italo

Italy's private high-speed operator also serves this corridor as part of its Venice routes, offering a strong alternative for travellers with onward Italo connections from Padova.

• Average journey time: Around 13 minutes from Mestre, 26 minutes from Santa Lucia
• Best for: Passengers continuing on an Italo service from Padova towards Milan, Turin or Rome.
• Onboard perks: Free Wi-Fi, reclining leather seats with power outlets, Smart, Prima and Club Executive classes available onboard.
• Worth knowing: As with Frecciarossa, Italo tickets for this short hop are priced for longer journeys – the regional train is better value for a standalone Venice to Padova trip.

Regional trains (Trenitalia Regionale/Regionale Veloce)

The standout choice for this route. Frequent, affordable and perfectly comfortable, regional trains run up to several times per hour throughout the day between Venice and Padova.

• Average journey time: 25 to 28 minutes from Santa Lucia, 13 to 15 minutes from Mestre.
• Best for: Day trippers, budget-conscious travellers and anyone making a standalone Venice to Padova journey.
• Onboard perks: Comfortable seating, no reservation required – just buy a ticket and board.
• Worth knowing: Tickets start from around €4-5, making this by far the best value option on this route. If you have a paper ticket, remember to validate it in the yellow machines before boarding.

One of Italy's most rewarding cities, Padova is a place where medieval art and a vibrant university culture meet – without the queues and crowds of Venice just down the line. Here are the highlights within easy reach of the station.

• The Scrovegni Chapel

A small brick chapel whose interior walls were painted with cobalt blue frescoes in the early 14th century by Giotto, the Scrovegni Chapel is one of the defining works of Western art. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, entry is strictly limited to small groups in timed 15-minute slots. Tickets sell out weeks in advance, so book as early as possible. It's around a 10-minute walk from the station or take tram Line 1 from the station to the Eremitani stop, two minutes away.

• The Basilica di Sant’Antonio

Known to locals simply as Il Santo, the Basilica di Sant’Antonio is one of the most visited churches in the world and one of the finest examples of Italian Gothic architecture in the Veneto. Drawing pilgrims from across the world, it houses the tomb of Saint Anthony, patron saint of lost things, and an extraordinary reliquary chapel. Entry is free. Take tram Line 1 from the station to the Santo stop, or walk south from the station in around 20-25 minutes.

• Prato della Valle

Italy's largest square, and one of the largest in Europe, Prato della Valle is an extraordinary elliptical space at the southern end of the historic centre, ringed by a canal and 78 statues of notable figures connected to Padova's history. Previously a Roman theatre and then a horse racing track during the Middle Ages, today it's where Padovans come to walk, cycle, picnic and attend the Saturday market. A 20-minute walk from the station, or one stop beyond Sant’Antonio on tram Line 1.

• The University of Padova

Founded in 1222, the University of Padova is one of the oldest universities in the world and the second oldest in Italy. It features the world's first anatomical theatre, built in 1594, and the lectern from which Galileo taught. It’s a 15-minute walk from the station through the arcaded streets of the centro storico.