Dear All,

We are a family of 4 with an infant and would like to do a day trip to Padua from Florence in Mid May.
We would definitely want to see Scrovegni Chapel and St.Anthonys Basilica for sure and maybe some other Sites if we have time.

Request if someone could help us how we can start and end the day at Padua...will be grateful.

Thank you

I'll be honest in that this would be too long of a day for a viable day trip, especially with this many people and an infant.

It is about 4 hours round-trip via train, and it might even take longer depending on the route.

For options, check out rome2rio.com and be sure to verify the underlying links for specifics.

If you drive, don't use Google (and if you do, add 30% to the suggested time). Google grossly underestimates. If you already will have a car for your trip, pay attention to ZTLs on both towns as well as the parking logistics will eat into your day.

Dear All,

We are a family of 4 with an infant and would like to do a day trip to Padua from Florence in Mid May.
We would definitely want to see Scrovegni Chapel and St.Anthonys Basilica for sure and maybe some other Sites if we have time.

Request if someone could help us how we can start and end the day at Padua...will be grateful.

Thank you

Please see your other thread.

Your two threads were merged and Italy tag added

If you do decide to make the trip to Padua, I trust you realize that you would most likely need to purchase your tickets for the Scrovegni Chapel well in advance.

It's easy to go from Florence to Padua: 1 3/4 hrs by train OW; trains every hr.
Bu IMO there are tons of better alternatives closer to Florence.

I don't find that driving times are grossly underestimated in Italy. I live in Italy and we use Google Maps a lot to plan drives. We've never found it very far off the actual driving time. I just checked the driving time from our home to Bologna, and to some other places we go frequently; if anything, its estimates are somewhat longer than it takes us. You have to indicate a day and hour similar to the time you'll be travelling. If you're checking a route on Saturday at 8 PM when you're in New York, Google will assume you plan to make the trip at 2 AM on a Sunday morning. That would cause an underestimate of the travel tI ime, but I doubt it would be more than about 20%.

A more relevant point is that driving from Florence to Padova would take more than twice as long as the high-speed Frecciarossa train.

I found infants easier to travel with than toddlers. I used to take my children on much longer train trips than this when they were infants.

Don’t believe the hype about making reservations for the Scrovegni Chapel during off season times. Today ( 12/032025) the visit was me my wife and one other couple. The visit prior to our reservation was approximately 10 people, the reservation after our 1pm visit was approximately 8 folks. Big sign at the entrance which had 2 entrances: pre booked and walk up tickets. I realize it’s off season, but dispel the myth about the definitive need to pre book. It’s all about the time of year. By the way. It was incredible

Mike, OP was traveling in mid May, hardly off season and hardly "hype" to suggest pre-booking.

Clearly December is off season and glad you did not have to prebook. Also glad you enjoyed the experience.

Hi TN…I pre booked. Months in advance but was quite surprised by the few visitors. My submit was just an FYI to maybe day trippers to Padua that in contrast to the HUGE amount of online discourse advising of definitive pre booking that at some points of the season it is not necessary. My 1pm reservation was with one other couple. 4 people for the entire viewing on an absolutely gorgeous Padua weather day. With a small Christmas Market in front as well.

Personally, I'd prebook, even if off season. But then, seeing the Giotto cycle would be my reason for visiting Padua and I would not want to risk missing it. Others might see it differently.

Our day trip to Padua from Bologna in link below. We were there in late September 2018. You cannot make same day reservations. Our tour was completely filled. We made reservations well in advance. Also visited Palazzo della Ragione, Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta​​​​​​​, Basilica di Sant’Antonio​​​​​​​, Prato della Valle (largest square in Italy), the astronomical clock (some claim is oldest clock in the world) and Abbazia di Santa Giustina.
​​​​​​​
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/cha...lating-padova/

Perhaps the Chapel allows for walk ups on days where bookings are light. However, to anyone reading this thread, it always best to follow what official sources say. Which, in line with MTT's indication that bookings are required and "same day reservations cannot be made" per their website: https://www.cappelladegliscrovegni.i...lita-operative

Perhaps if one is traveling in off season like Mike, perhaps contact the Chapel using their "contact us" feature for possible same day. But otherwise, probably best to pre book as the Chapel states.

Just saying….walk on without reservations was non exist….maybe 4- 5 people…..my point is that every book/on line article says MUST prebook, Not true.

The chapel says as you enter ….line 1for reservations. Line 2 for walk ups/non reserved. Was just there at 1pm today.

Nevermind. Mike is validated. JFC

This post is from April, so the OP's trip is long over, but just for information purposes, I was just there the third week of September. I had made a reservation way ahead. It took me less time than I had anticipated to walk there, so I was quite early. After sitting outside for a bit, I decided to go in. There was an arrow pointing where to go if you had a ticket and another to the counter to buy one if you didn't.
When going through the door where they checked your ticket, the woman saw that there was a time slot before mine and said I should go over there, because if there was room in the earlier slot, they would let me in. Others were also waiting. After checking everyone in who had a ticket for the earlier slot, there was room for eight of us to go in. Definitely not sold out.
I'm not saying you shouldn't buy your ticket ahead, especially if you're only there for the day, just telling my experience.

A day trip is doable, but start early. Take a fast train from Florence to Padua, head straight to the Scrovegni Chapel (reserve tickets in advance), then walk to St. Anthony’s Basilica afterward. If time allows, stroll through Prato della Valle or the Botanical Garden before catching an evening train back. Keep the pace relaxed since you’re traveling with an infant.

Cheers for Heathrow and British Airways…,the public address continuously advised of a Merry Christmas and holidays for all. Christmas carols during my flight from Heathrow to Boston. On board the meal was an option of a Christmas Dinner…their words not mine…the public address in Heathrow was Dean Martin and Christmas songs…so nice…..