Considering a trip from Florence to Venice by train? This guide will tell you everything you need to know to make your journey from the Cradle of the Renaissance to the City of Canals a masterpiece!

Venice access fee

Note that on selected dates between 3 April and 26 July 2026, visitors to Venice’s historic centre must pay an entry fee set by the Municipality of Venice. If your journey includes Venezia S. Lucia, please check whether the fee applies to your travel date and whether you qualify for an exemption. Learn more here.

Overview of train services

Two high-speed train operators serve the Florence to Venice train route — Trenitalia Frecciarossa and Italo.

Trenitalia Frecciarossa

Operator details

Italy's signature high-speed rail service, Frecciarossa, falls under the umbrella of Trenitalia, the nation's national train operator. The name means “Red Arrow,” and you’ll see why as you whiz through the Italian countryside on a train that combines velocity with comfort and excitement.

Route

Frecciarossa trains from Florence to Venice depart from Florence Santa Maria Novella train station (Firenze SMN) and arrive at Venice Santa Lucia train station. Some routes include stops at Bologna and Padua on the picture-perfect high-speed meander through the northern Italian countryside.

Train features

Frecciarossa trains include modern high-speed rail amenities like Wi-Fi, power outlets at your seat and onboard dining options.

Benefits

Frecciarossa trains are beautiful, modern and convenient, with many departures daily and several attractive classes of service. They also open up your Italian adventure to the many advantages of high-speed train travel over other modes of transit.

High-speed trains have more space and freedom to move around compared to buses, planes or rental cars. The Florence to Venice train time is comparable to air travel, especially when you consider the transit time to remote airports and the check-in time. It’s affordable, easy to book and flexible. High-speed trains are also the greenest mode of travel per passenger over a comparable distance.

Italo

Operator details

Italo is a private high-speed train operator in Italy. A competitor with Frecciarossa, it provides comparable comfort and amenities, blending style with modern technology on many of its trains.

Route

Italo trains also take the direct high-speed route from Florence Santa Maria Novella train station (Firenze SMN) to Venice Santa Lucia train station, offering a competitive travel alternative between the two cities. Several trains from Florence to Venice are available daily.

Train features

Italo trains have comfortable seating, onboard entertainment, Wi-Fi and food options available to purchase.

Benefits

Italo trains offer many of the same benefits as Frecciarossa — beautiful modern trains, classes of service, multiple departure options, convenient departure and screening, space to move around, freedom to work, avoidance of traffic and eco-friendliness. Train travel from Florence to Venice is efficient, relaxing and a perfect way to take in the Italian countryside.

Schedule details

Quickest journey time and total distance

The fastest high-speed train journey from Florence to Venice takes roughly 1 hour and 51 minutes. The total travel distance from Florence to Venice by train is 205 kilometres.

Earliest and latest departure times

The earliest high-speed train from Florence to Venice departs at 07:15 on weekdays, while the latest train departs at 21:30.

Over the weekends, the earliest train on the route departs at 07:20, while the latest train departs at 21:30.

Average number of daily trains

About 49 trains direct high-speed trains run daily between the two cities. The exact number of Florence to Venice trains depends on the day and time of year.

Frequency of departures

A Florence to Venice train departs Firenze SMN approximately every 10 minutes.

Ticket information

Ticket prices

The Florence to Venice train cost varies based on class of service, operator and booking time. Peak travel times and popular itineraries tend to be the most expensive. Here are our current estimates of today’s booking prices:

  • Cheapest ticket on the route: CA$4.68

  • Average cost of a ticket on this route if you book 30 days in advance: CA$35

  • Average cost of a ticket on this route if you book 7 days in advance: CA$62

Importance of booking in advance

Booking early helps secure the best fares, especially during peak season (June-September). Advance booking often opens opportunities for ticket deals that would otherwise be missed by last-minute bookers. It also allows you to pick your favorite seat, train car, departure time or class of service.

We recommend trying to book Florence to Venice train tickets 30 days out or at least 7 days out. The farthest in advance you can book this itinerary is 10 and a half months.

Point-to-point tickets vs. rail passes

Point-to-point tickets

Point-to-point tickets are ideal for single trips between Florence and Venice. They are an inexpensive way to get from one station to the other, but they are not very flexible. You have to depart at the assigned time on the assigned train and sit in your assigned seat. They don’t include hop-on-hop-off privileges — if you get off the train at any point, you will need a new ticket to get on a different train.

Rail passes you can use from Florence to Venice

If Florence and Venice are just two of many stops you intend to make, in Italy or elsewhere in Europe, a rail pass may be the way to go. With a rail pass, you can pick your travel days and take multiple trains on those days — any train you want, as long as it is covered by the pass (most of which are!).

For many trains, you don’t have to reserve in advance; you can just show up and hop on a train. (Note that high-speed trains often require a seat reservation.) Best of all, you have hop-on-hop-off privileges, so if you want to explore along the way, you can just catch the next train.

  • Eurail Pass: good for 33 countries in Europe, available to non-EU residents. You can choose a Global Pass for 33 countries or pick a pass for one country, like the Italy One Country Pass.

  • Interrail Pass: offers nearly identitcal coverage to that of the Eurail Pass. The main difference is that the Interrail Pass is reserved for European residents.

Train stations served

Florence Santa Maria Novella Train Station (Firenze SMN)

Florence Santa Maria Novella (aka Firenze SMN) is the main train hub of Florence. Nestled near the majestic Santa Maria Novella church, it stands as a testament to the city's Renaissance roots. Blending a splash of Old Hollywood glamour with modern style, the station's design cleverly fuses the opulence of Art Deco with sleek modernist curves, nodding to the pioneers of the 1930s as it serves 59 million passengers annually.

Facilities and services

  • 19 platforms

  • Ticket offices and self-service machines

  • Waiting areas

  • Restrooms (located near Platform 5)

  • Left luggage office (near Platform 16)

  • Shops and eateries, including a McDonald's

  • Pharmacy

  • Bank

  • Currency exchange desk

  • Post office

  • Passenger lounge

  • Sala Freccia Club (for CARTAFRECCIA Gold or Platinum cardholders and Executive or AV Salottino ticket holders, near Platform 16)

  • Sala Blu (assistance for passengers with disabilities)

  • Casa Italo (Italo passenger office)

  • Taxi stand outside the main entrance

  • Connections to local buses and trams

  • Nearby car rental services

Venice Mestre

Venice Mestre trains from Florence to Venice tend to make their first stops in the region at Venice Mestre, located on the mainland. Florence to Venice Mestre trains connect the mainland hub to Venice proper, and 31 million passengers annually pass through its modern facility as it serves as a gateway to destinations all over Europe.

Facilities and services

  • Ticket offices (Trenitalia and Italo)

  • Ticket machines

  • Information desks

  • Left-luggage office

  • Restrooms

  • Shops

  • Eateries

  • Car rentals

  • Parking facilities

  • Accessibility services for disabled passengers

  • Urban and suburban bus connections

  • Bike-sharing services

  • Electric vehicle charging stations

Venice Santa Lucia

Venice Santa Lucia holds court as the primary train station of the floating city, bustling with activity day and night. Unlike Venice Mestre, located on the mainland or VCE Airport, Venice Santa Lucia train station is located smack on the Grand Canal in the Cannaregio region, serving its 30 million annual passengers right in the thick of the famous canal city. One of the few modernist buildings in the area, it was built on the site of the former Church of Santa Lucia, with construction started under the Austrian Empire.

Facilities and services

  • Ticketing offices and self-service machines

  • Restrooms

  • Luggage storage

  • Tourist information center

  • Shops and restaurants

  • Currency exchange

  • Accessibility services for passengers with reduced mobility

  • Waiting areas

  • First-class lounges (Freccia Club and Italo Club Lounge)

  • Connections to Vaporetto (water bus) services

  • Nearby water taxi services

  • Proximity to hotels and accommodations

  • Nearby car rentals

  • ATMs

  • Free Wi-Fi

  • Public telephones

  • Lost and found office

  • Police station

  • Pharmacy

  • Newsstands

  • Parking facilities at Piazzale Roma (adjacent to the station)

Travelling with Frecciarossa and Italo – boarding process

Security and boarding procedures

Security checks are minimal for Italian trains. You can expect metal detectors, light baggage screening and occasional random checks, but in general, it is far less extensive than what you might have experienced at an airport. Have your Florence to Venice train ticket ready for validation.

Navigating the stations and boarding

Stations have clear signage with train numbers and destinations. Validate your train tickets from Florence to Venice at machines near the tracks. The signage within stations helps streamline this process, whether boarding at Santa Maria Novella for your train to Venice or another major hub.

Train classes of service

Frecciarossa

Standard Class

Standard Class is a great value option. You still get comfortable seats and access to the train’s amenities, like restrooms and a café car. Although you won't have free Wi-Fi or a welcome drink, this class lets you travel comfortably without spending too much. Travellers on a shoestring will love this Florence to Venice train ride, where the journey's just as important as the destination.

Premium Class

Sits between Business and Standard Class. You'll find wider, more comfortable seats than Standard. You’ll also get free Wi-Fi to keep you connected. A food and beverage cart service is available for purchasing snacks and drinks. This is a good choice if you want more comfort than Standard Class but don’t need the extras of Business.

Business Class

Gives you a comfy and productive travel experience. You’ll enjoy spacious leather seats with more legroom than Standard. You'll also have free Wi-Fi and a welcome drink. A food and beverage cart comes through, so you can purchase snacks and drinks. Business Class is great if you value comfort and want to get some work done on the Florence to Venice train.

Executive Class

The most luxurious way to travel by train from Florence to Venice on a Frecciarossa. Think of it as first class. You get extra wide, reclining leather seats. There's also free Wi-Fi and meals served right at your seat. Plus, you'll find a welcome drink and newspapers waiting for you. This is perfect if you want to work or relax during your trip.

Italo

Smart

Italo's basic class, but basic doesn’t mean bad. You get comfy seats with power outlets, with snacks and drinks available from the Italo train café. Going for a Smart ride is a shrewd move if you want to pinch pennies without sacrificing style.

Comfort Class

Gives you a bit more than Smart. The seats are bigger, with more legroom and free Wi-Fi. Comfort is great if you like a little extra space and want to work or browse online.

Prima

Italo’s first-class option. It includes wide leather seats and welcome drinks. And as a sweet bonus, you'll get a free meal thrown in. Plus, there's a special welcome service. Prima is perfect if you want to treat yourself to a luxurious Florence to Venice train ride.

Club Executive

The most premium class. It has all the perks of Prima, plus some extra goodies. You get even bigger seats and more personal space. There’s also an exclusive lounge area at some stations. This class is ideal if you want the absolute best and don’t mind paying a bit more.

Travel documentation and customs requirements

Documentation required

The Florence to Venice train never crosses any international borders, so immigration and customs requirements can best be described as minimal to nonexistent.

Customs requirements

Since the journey is entirely domestic, your ticket and a valid ID are usually sufficient for travel on a Florence to Venice train. Standards for high-speed travel are consistently applied, so requirements are typically straightforward.

Customs requirements

Again, due to the domestic route, typically there are no customs checks between Florence and Venice. Ensure compliance if arriving from outside the Schengen Area before boarding your Florence to Venice train.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a direct train from Florence to Venice?

Yes, both Trenitalia Frecciarossa and Italo offer direct trains from Florence to Venice, though there may be a few stops along the way — notably a stop at Venice Mestre on the mainland before proceeding to Venice Santa Lucia on the historic island city.

Is there a direct train from Florence to Venice Airport?

No, there is no direct train from Florence to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). The "Venezia Express" bus operated by ATVO departs from Piazzale Roma near Santa Lucia train station in Venice every 20-30 minutes and takes you to VCE in about 20 minutes.

Is there a direct train from Florence Airport to Venice?

No, there is no direct train from Florence Airport (FLR) to Venice. You will need to take the T2 tram from FLR to Florence Santa Maria Novella (Firenze SMN) train station and catch a Trenitalia or Italo train to continue on to Venice.

Which train station in Florence goes to Venice?

The train station from which Venice-bound trains depart is Florence Santa Maria Novella (Firenze SMN) train station.

How long is the train journey from Florence to Venice?

The train trip from Florence to Venice takes approximately 1 hour and 51 minutes by high-speed train.

How far is Florence to Venice by train?

The journey distance from Florence to Venice by train is 205 kilometres.

Is there a night train from Florence to Venice?

No, there is no night train or sleeper train from Florence to Venice.

Can you take a day trip from Florence to Venice by train?

Yes, the train journey from Florence to Venice is short enough that it would make a lovely day trip. You can spend the morning, afternoon and evening strolling the canals, exploring and taking in the sights before taking a late train back to Florence.

Is the train from Florence to Venice scenic?

The train ride from Florence to Venice has its share of beautiful scenery. The Tuscan countryside is famously beautiful — rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves and adorable towns. The route then passes through the Apennine Mountains. Tunnels may obscure the craggy mountainscape views, but you’ll catch a few if you watch for them. The Veneto plain isn’t the most beautiful scenery in Italy, but it’s a glimpse of real Italian rural life before you arrive at the gem known as Venice.