Train from Venice to Florence
 

Our flight will land at Marco Polo Airport in Venice, and we want to take a train to Florence. Is there a better way to connect than taking the bus out to Venice?

Does seem to me like much sense to go into Venice only to go right back out again.<BR><BR>You could take a taxi to Venezia-Mestre station and catch the train there since all the Eurostar from Venezia-Santa Lucia stop at Venezia-Mestre anyway.<BR><BR>If you took a watertaxi from the airport to Venezia-Santa Lucia, you'll be out about $80. I'd save that money and take a cab to Venezia-Mestre or share a water taxi with other people going into Venice proper or bite the bullet and take the bus to Venezia-Mestre.<BR><BR>From your email, it sounds you are arriving at Venice airport and directly going on the train to Florence.<BR>

Yes. I got a much better price on a round trip to Venice than to an open-jaw to Florence and back from Venice, and I knew there was a Eurostar train which I think we will enjoy riding to get a little flavor of the scenery. I found bus lines from Marco Polo into Venice, but my limited knowledge and language hasn't let me find a bus from Marco Polo to Mestre. Perhaps a taxi will be better.

http://www.worldairportguide.com/Airports/vce/vce.asp<BR><BR>EyeSpy runs down your options and, if I recall correctly, the taxi from Marco Polo to Mestre was $30 or so.

It seems your best bet is either to take a taxi to Venezia-Mestre or the bus. (I'd just take a cab and save myself the aggravation after a long flight). The cab trip is not long and I'm sure you've coordinated your train departure to Florence accordingly to your flight. You shouldn't have a problem with English at the Venice airport with cab drivers. Make sure the cab is licensed. Round up the fare to the nearest euro. If the driver handles a bag, tip him 1 Euro per bag. You don't have to tack on an additional 15% tip (it's included in the cab fare). The train trip down to Florence is pleasant. On the Eurostar, it takes about 2 hours and you arrive right in the center of Florence at Firenze-Santa Maria Novella. Have a great time.