Drive from La Spezia to Venice -- 4 hours?
 

Mappy.com says it takes 3 hours, 50 minutes. Does that sound right?

Cindy: That's about right, but then what do you do with the car in Venice? Unless you plan to stop frequently e.g., in Verona, take the train. There is an express from La Spezia to Venice. This from an avowed driver.

Good point, Joe! I couldn't find any info on an express train from La Spezia to Venice on Rail Europe's website. Where else could I look for times? Thank you.

Train time is rather long--about 6 hours. There's a direct train at 13:46. See www.trenitalia.com.

Cindy:<BR><BR>I've taken the train between La Spezia-Venice. At six hours, it pretty much takes up your entire day getting there. I thought I took an earlier train, but checking the schedules (www.trenitalia.com) I only could find two direct runs on the Intercity (IC). First one departs at 13:46 (1:46 pm) arriving into Venice at 20:06 (8:06 pm) --- later train leaves 17:46 (5:46 pm), arriving Venice 23:57 (11:57 pm). These are other options which involve at least one or two train changes. Wouldn't recommend going that route. I enjoyed the first part of the ride on IC as it follows the coast (thru Cinque Terre, past Sestri Levante, Rapallo, SML) and then cuts across country to Venice. Actually you get more glimpses of the coastline, between going thru tunnels. There are a few stretches where you can get a full-on view of water.<BR><BR>Cost in 1st class = 46 euros and 2nd class = 33 euros.

Cindy: We took the one that Jahouli refers to although I don't remember it taking that long. Still, think it makes more sense to train if you do not plan stops. Easy Vaporetto or water taxi into Venice from the train station.

..<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>-

Thanks for the advice. I'm thinking that I don't want to arrive in Venice so late, though. If we rent a car, what is the drive like? Is it difficult, pretty, easy to get lost? If we left around noon, do you think we could reach Venice by 5:00 or so? We're doing the Selectpass Drive, so can rent a car in La Spezia and then drop it off in Venice. Or does anyone else know of any earlier trains that leave La Spezia for Venice?

Hello Cindy,<BR><BR>I'll leave someone else to answer the driving part of your Q.<BR><BR>As regards trains, - there are departures from La Spezia to Venice at:<BR>05.30<BR>06.26<BR>06.33<BR>07.45<BR>08.47<B R>09.42<BR>10.10<BR>11.44<BR>12.20<BR>12.39<BR>.. . etc<BR><BR>All involve 2/3 changes.<BR><BR>Journey time varies between 5hours 40mins and 6hours 20mins.<BR><BR>For more details see the Trenitalia site:-<BR>www.trenitalia.it<BR><BR>Hope this helps ...<BR><BR>Steve

Hi Cindy, I'm planning to go to La Spezia too! But I have no idea how am I supposed to go from La Spezia to Venice. Can you share with me what are your solutions? I'm going in June this year.

Cindy was here 11 years ago---she may not be around now.

Bob, can you help me? http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-to-venice.cfm