Padgettw

My wife and I are going to Florence at the end of May and to use our frequent flyer miles we had to fly into Venice Marco Polo airport.

I have two questions...if you were in our shoes would you a. rent a car in Venice and drive to Florence, or b. take the train from Venice to Florence?

And if you were to take the train, what is the best way to get from Marco Polo to the train station? I would want to spend as small amount of time as possible en route.

Thanks in advance.

Andrew

You're flying into Venice but going directly to Florence?

I would certainly take the train if I were you. The Italian trains are very good. The only reason you might want a car is if you plan to drive around the Tuscany countryside. In Florence itself, you wouldn't want a car. It's fairly easy to get around by foot and they have a good bus system as well. (Google Transit allows you to map out bus routes for Florence, too - try it out).

Don't know about getting from Marco Polo to the train station; maybe you'd take a shuttle of some sort to the Venice Mestre station. Probably aren't too many options.

aucho53

Hi there....


Why not spend at least one night in Venice before heading to Florence? It's an AMAZING place?? I know this has nothing to fo with your question so I won't push, but I think it's worth a quick visit

I would 100% take the train in between cities. It's fairly quick, efficient, and pretty much hassle free. Plus you can relax and enjoy the ride on the train, whereas you'd probably feel a little stressed driving in a foreign country after an international flight.

Enjoy your trip....Florence is one of my favourite cities!

Layla

annw

I would definitely take the train. Can't imagine taking a car into Florence unless you are intent on a lot of driving around Tuscany.

But I agree about stopping in Venice!

LAwoman

Take a cab or bus from Marco Polo to Piazzale Roma, then take the vaporetto to the train station - it's one stop away. You could walk it if you don't have too much luggage.

bobthenavigator

Actually, there is no reason to go into Venice at all. Taxi or bus to Mestre and catch the same trains to Florence. Closer and easy.

J62

Bob has it right. Definitely do NOT go to Piazzale Roma, then take the vaporetto (at $10 per person, for a 1 stop ride) to the train station.

All traffic to Venice, both train and vehicle passes through Mestre. Buses from the airport www.atvo.it/eng/airport.php?Id are frequent and cheap. Taxi is faster, but more expensive.

Padgettw

Thanks all. The reason we are not staying in Venice is because we have been there several times. Love it, but this time we are flying in just because of timing and availability of seats to use our ff points.

Have any of you taken the vaporetto (sp?) from Marco Polo to the train station? I know it is expensive, but it seems like the quickest option.

bobthenavigator

Forget Venice---go from the airport to Mestre---all by land.

GeoffHamer

The boats from the airport do not go to the railway station.
If you aren't visiting Venezia, get the train to Firenze from Venezia Mestre station which is on the mainland. From the airport, there are buses and taxis to Venezia Mestre station.

LoveItaly

Hello Padgettw, here is the bus schedule for the Marco Polo Airport to Mestre. It is from the Marco Polo Airport website:

http://www.veniceairport.it/page/ser...bus?m=01020202

LoveItaly

And of course I meant to say the Mestre Train Station which is where you catch the train to Florence. In that you are not staying in Venice again and in that you will not want a car in Florence this would be the very simple and inexpensive way to get to Florence. Have a wonderful trip!

LAwoman

Yes, my advice was bad if you aren't going to visit Venice, I hereby retract it