Jimsinger

Would appreciate any perspective on train travel from Florence to Venice. Am advised there is a 6:00 AM train from Florence to Venice. Trenitalia.com. There is a change in Bologna. This train is scheduled to arrive in Venice at 9:58AM. We need to be in Venice airport for a 12:00 flight to Brussels. Has anyone used this train service? Am interested in reliability and importantly - is the change in Bologna straight forward? Again, any perspective would be appreciated.

WillTravel

Frankly I don't think the train service is reliable enough to make close connections for a plane. But if you're okay with the time or financial penalties of missing the flight, it shouldn't be a problem. I've done the Venice - Bologna - Florence trip. I do remember both trains took off somewhat late. The change in Bologna is straightforward enough, although I think it involves flights of stairs.

Holly_uncasdewar

If everything's running according to schedule, you will probably have barely enough time. However, if the train out of Florence is running late, as mine was this past March by 2 hours, then you will miss you flight. Better to spend the night before in Venice, or Padua.

Jimsinger

Thanks for the perspective. Looks like it is not worth chancing it.
Would seem that renting a car is the best bet, or going back the night before.
Any idea what the drive time is between Florence and Venice?
Also any suggestions on hotels close to airport for night before flight would be appreciated. Not familiar with Padua.

WillTravel

I saw this hotel near the Venice airport, but don't know it personally:

http://www.titianinn.com

sandi_travelnut

I took the train from Venice to Florence. It stopped in Bologna but we didn't have to get off and change trains. Isn't there a thru train?

Jimsinger

Sandi - There is no thru train that early in the morning. The 6am train changes in Bologna.

sandi_travelnut

ah, got it.

ira

Hi Jim,

>We need to be in Venice airport for a 12:00 flight to Brussels.<

You arrive Venice SL at 10:00 (maybe) and expect to be at Venice Marco Polo before 11:30?

I strongly urge you to go the night before.

There are buses from Maestre and from Venice Pzza Roma to the airport.

Statia

I agree. I'd get to Venice the night before.

rex

I think that the car rental option is entirely sound - - albeit more expensive (maybe a lot more), I suspect. But if you have plans the night before in Florence that you will enjoy... then rent the car the afternoon before, park it and plan to leave Florence by 6 or 6:30. You can drive it in 3 hrs, leaving an hour for unexpected delay(s).

While there are hotels in Tessera which you can choose for the night before... to have a lazy morning in a cookie-cutter room before your flight - - you're likely to have greater enjoyment in Florence.

Best wishes,

Rex

Holly_uncasdewar

With a noon departure, you could stay anywhere in Venice and get to the airport in plenty of time. No need to stay right near the airport.

LoveItaly

Hi Jimsinger, getting to Venice the day before, or the night before or renting a car is the only way to go IMO. Last time I was in Florence the train was 2 hours late and all the Italians seemed very resigned about it. Not an unusal occurrence evidently. I would never count on a train in Italy when I had a flight the same day.

And I agree with Holly. With a noon flight you could get a hotel room in Venice and get to the San Marco airport in plenty of time to check in.
Happy travels in Italy!

Worktowander

We did this route on a Trenitalia intercity train last month. The train made a brief stop in Bologna, but we didn't have to make any changes.

With timing this tight, though, I think getting to Venice the night before is a very good idea. Personally, I'd not hassle with renting a car, I'd just shift my travel time. Free opinion, probably worth what you paid for it.

Jimsinger

Thanks to everyone for the insights. We definitely won't chance the train. Since we will have already been in Venice for three days (prior to going on to Florence) it looks like renting a car the night before and departing early the next morning probably looks like the optimal choice.

LoveItaly

Hi Jimsinger. Have a great time in Italy! Glad you are not going to depend on the train getting you there on time. Also, allow yourself plenty of driving time. Sometimes traffic can get real heavy when you get closer to Venice. Best wishes.