Best way to get from Florence to Venice?
 

Hi,
I'll be in Tuscany for 5 nights and Venice for 2 nights. I'm staying at Villa La Vedetta and Londra Palace.

My question is about how to get there.

Is it wise to take a train? Should I rent a car or possibly a driver to take in the countryside? Are there specific stops I should make along the way?

Any help would be appreciated.

Rob

This is a simple: take the train. It faster, cheaper and easier. The drive is boring and having or even returning a car in Venice is a major pain.

Hi robin,

Where in Tuscany is the Villa La Vedetta?

((I))

VILLA LA VEDETTA FLORENC
Rate per night : 470.00 EUR
VAILE MICHELANGIOLO 78
Fax #: 011390556582544
Confirmation #: SAMUELPORRECA-
FLORENCE IT 50125 IT ITALY

Hi robin,

>Is it wise to take a train?<

It is very wise.

Schedules and prices are at www.trenitalia.com/en

((I))

train is quick and efficient and cheap.

I have done the Venice/Florence train and Florence/Venice train many times and 100% agree it is the best way to get between the 2 cities.

If you are going to be staying in Venice make sure that you go to the Santa Lucia train Station in Venice.

Have a wonderful trip. ((*))

topping

Anticipating questions that you may have around train travel in Italy, check out these threads .... first thread is also applicable on the Florence-Venice route, however travel time between Florence-Venice is longer (2 1/2 hrs ?) than between Rome-Florence.

Three types of trains between Rome and Florence
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34520478

Big difference- 1st vs. 2nd class ES Train in Italy?
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34529987

Is smoking allowed on Eurostar (First Class)? Should I buy ticket in advance here in US?
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34463429

FYI, all trains are now non-smoking.

LoveItaly said "make sure that you go to the Santa Lucia train Station in Venice." why's that? we're staying at the villa dori --via colombara 213 Malcontenta, Riviera del Brenta. they have a shuttle that goes to the mestre station... & i've noticed that it doesn't run as many trains as the other... is there an easy way to get from mestre to santa lucia ?(train?)

& forgive my newbie-ness, but what is "topping"?

Topping is what you do to keep your message at the top, in order that Fodorites can see it.

thanks for all of the advice. How far in advance to i need to reserve the ticket on the train from Florence to Venice. It seems to be unanimous that I should take a train, which makes me comfortable in my decision. Thanks so much.

You definitely want to take the train. In 2003, we drove from Rome, all through Tuscany to Florence. We then took the train from Florence to Venice and can safely say you do not want to be driving in or around either of those two cities if you can help it. Also, the drive is longer and not nearly as picturesque or interesting as the drive from Rome to Florence. I think you can probably buy your tickets right at the station that same day unless you want reserved seating on the Eurostar, which I suggest if you're traveling with luggage. If you do (like we did) get tickets in advance. I e-mailed the concierge at our Florence hotel before we arrived and requested that they procure tickets for us which they did and presented to us on arrival. I gave them the date, train and time, they did the rest. If not, you can buy tickets online. Also, if you are driving through Tuscany to Florence on your own, leave your rental car at your hotel in Florence and ask the concierge if they will return it for you, which they should agree to do for a small fee. If that's not an option, return the car to a location on the outskirts of the city and taxi to the station. Driving around the Florence train station is an absolute nightmare and returning a car there is even worse. This was the best decision we made on our whole trip. Good luck.