We are planning a spring vacation with 3 days in Rome, 3 in Venice, and then going to Amsterdam for 5 (as our friends live there). A couple questions...first is a flight or train a better option for the trip from Venice to Amsterdam? Any idea how long the flight would be? Also, we wanted to add a few days in Switzerland...does anyone know of any travel agencies that include Switzerland? Also-which areas would be best to stop in?

You can take a cheap (probably) Transavia flight between Venice and Amsterdam, although I think it might depart from nearby Treviso airport. I'd prefer the flight to the train, because it's much quicker and likely cheaper.

It's a long way between Venice and Amsterdam. I'd would look into a flight.

I flew from Venice to Amsterdam via KLM. It's about an hour and a half flight.

We just flew Amsterdam/Venice with Transavia, but it wasn't cheap. Originally had planned on volare, but they went (temporarily) "under" but have started flying again. I don't know if they will resume that route again or not, but price-wise, it would be worth keeping an eye on their website.

These budget airlines like Transavia are usually only cheap if you can book a few months in advance.

[If you want to fly tomorrow, it's € 160 +
In October it's less than half ...]

As Will says, Transavia fly from Treviso.

www.transavia.com

There's a bus shuttle service from Venice (- Piazzale Rome) to Treviso airport:

http://www.atvo.it/orari/pdf/Venezia.pdf

Otherwise KLM (www.klm.com) from Venice.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

I'm curious now. Anyone know how long this journey would take by train?

Hi suze,

Go to http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

Just don't do the 6:30 am on KLM, VCE To AMS. It's too early for easy transport to the airport!!

You can also take the public bus, ACTV, from Piazzale Roma to the Marco Polo airport (if you decide not to use Transavia). Your vaporetto pass will work for this.

OK then, thanks Ira.

Venice to Amsterdam by train:
18 to 20 hours
3 to 5 changes/stops