Navigating train stations is difficult and stressful-you may have to haul your luggage down stairs and then backup the stairs to the correct track number (binario). Elevators often are hard to find or may not be working. Maybe they can take the train Verona to Padua and have a driver pick them up to tour some of Padua ( or wait if they intend to see the Giotto frescoes in the chapel. Then have the driver take them to Venice. Costs more but much easier for them.

You can also buy train tickets in travel agencies with the Trenitalia logo in the window. Travel agents usually speak good English and you can sit down while you wait or talk to them.

Good advice about packing light. The luggage storage (deposito bagagli) is probably on the main level of the station, on a different level than the tracks. And I've too often seen non-working elevators (ascensori).

>>>I am assuming they wait till the last minute to validate their tickets and keep their stay in Padua to under 3 hours.<<<

I wouldn't assume that especially if they are checking their luggage in Padua. Sometimes there are lines to check and retrieve. They might want to sightsee and have a leisurely meal. I don't see a baggage facility listed on Trenitalia. Does someone have a link saying there is?

http://www.centostazioni.it/cst/Le-s.../Veneto/Padova

If it were my parents I'd buy them first class tickets - though some say there is virtually no difference IME there is - for those short trips the difference in price would be negligble - especially if carrying luggage - much esier to stow in 1st class as there are fewer seats in the same-size train carriage.

even if there is a baggage storage in Padua's station IME of towns like that if there is one you never know when the 'back in 30 minutes' sign may be up - happened to me more than once and with recent terrorists attempts baggage depots are always subject to being shuttered I think.

I thought I'd report back what we (me & my dad) decided to do.

For the first trip (Verona -> Padua), we went ahead and prebooked tickets for them. They had no other agenda that morning except checking out of the hotel and heading to the train station, so it is easy enough for them to catch a particular train. I booked a Freccia train for them and was able to get the SUPER economy tickets for just €9 pp in First Class!

Since they don't know how long they will stay in Padua that day, they will just buy Regional tickets for the second journey (Padua -> Venice). That route seems to have much more frequent trains so it is unlikely the trains will be packed.

ky - someone upthread said they used the left luggage facility in Padua train station in June.

Yes, I saw that someone said it, but CentoStazioni didn't show it in their symbol list. Typically, the baggage symbol would be included on the list of station services along with all the other symbols. I did flip through the pics on Cento and saw one pic that had a sign that indicated baggage (sign was just pic of a bag and was part of a WC sign) which appeared to be trackside. I'm not familiar with that particular station so don't know how many tracks it may have.

http://www.centostazioni.it/cms-file...notoGrande.jpg

Since they don't know how long they will stay in Padua that day, they will just buy Regional tickets for the second journey (Padua -> Venice). That route seems to have much more frequent trains so it is unlikely the trains will be packed.>

If that regional train has first class tell them to pay the little extra for it - I've been on regional trains that served as school buses - kids swarm on for a few stops and 2nd class can get to be so mobbed - not likely probably but always possible - 1st class however I always have that area almost to myself - not all regional trains have 1st class however - and avoid rush hour too as these often are like commuter trains but again first class rarely many folks in it.

Be sure they get on a Regional train if they have a regional train ticket - those trains leave Padus at :51 and :21 minutes after the hour it seems throughout the day.

ES trains require a seat reservation and cost more and take exactly the same time - they can buy a regional train ticket and take any regional train as there are no reservation requirement and there is, upon checking www.bahn.de/en - German Railways web site that is easy to use for schedules - first class on those regional trains. ES trains may be much more full than regional trains except at commuting rush hours - have them leve after 9 am and it should be smooth training!

Last time I was in Padua - 4 years ago though - there was left-luggage in the station but as this is crucial to their plans for a short stop get a definitive answer - but Padua being just 27 minutes by train from Venice could be a day trip from there as well.