Florence and Venice are considered some of the most beautiful cities in Italy, so tourists often move between them in order to see the sights and get acquainted with the local culture. There are several ways to get from Florence to Venice. The choice of travel option depends on your individual preferences and the season.
Florence to Venice by plane
As for air traffic in Italy, it is well developed. However, a flight from Florence to Venice is not a good idea, as there are no direct flights between these settlements. In addition, the flight has a number of disadvantages:
- Expensive tickets;
- Duration of the trip (from 10 to 23 hours);
- Long connections at the airports of Rome, Zurich, Barcelona and others (8-19 hours).
All planes take off from Peretola International Airport and then land at Marco Polo Airport. If you have chosen this option of transportation, then it is better to worry about tickets in advance. You can buy them on any specialized Internet resource or directly at the airport ticket offices. Airlines quite often offer their customers discounts and various promotions for buying tickets in two directions at once. In order to fly from Florence to Venice at an acceptable cost, you need to constantly monitor the updates on the websites of air carriers.
Venice by train
Italian trains are popular with travelers and locals alike due to their accessibility and convenience. High-speed trains of the companies Trenitalia and ItaloTreno run several times a day with an interval of about an hour. The starting point of departure in Florence is Santa Maria Novella train station, and the final point is Santa Lucia. Travel time is no more than 2 hours, which is very fast. The first train leaves at 7.30 am and the last one leaves at 9.40 pm.
The trains are direct and have a high level of comfort. Inside the carriages there are soft reclining chairs, dining areas, wi-fi, toilet rooms with installed sinks. Small stops are foreseen in Bologna and Padua. Also, some of the trains can stop in Mestre.
Be careful when buying train tickets, as for some trains the final station is Mestre train station, from where regional trains go to Venice. In this case, your route will be with one change. This information is always marked on the ticket.
The price of train tickets varies from 30 to 48 euros. The cost may vary, as the types of carriages are different, and tickets are cheaper during the low season. It is worth noting that ItaloTreno trains run less frequently than Trenitalia, and their tickets cost 20-26 euros.
Venice by bus
One of the most common and cheapest ways to get to Venice is by bus from Florence. Two carriers are known in Italy: FlixBus and Baltour. Vehicles leave from the central bus station and travel either directly to the Venetian bus station or stop in Mestre. From here you can easily go to Venice by another bus or order a taxi.
The interval between flights varies from 1 to 2 hours. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 40 minutes on the way. It takes longer than a high-speed train. However, you will have a great opportunity to explore the picturesque landscapes around. The first flight leaves Florence at 5.15 am, and at around 10 am you will be at your final destination.
Baltour buses are more comfortable. The routes usually run through Bologna. It is better to find out details about routes in advance using the convenient search form on the carriers' website. During the summer period, the driver makes more stops so that passengers have time to rest and have a snack.
Please note that Baltour buses stop at the La Certosa station four times a day. To save on buying tickets, buy a card that offers discounts on this type of transport. Cards are sold both on the Internet and in vending machines located in different parts of the city. The minimum price for a one-way bus ticket is 22 euros.
Florence to Venice by car
Fans of car travel should try to rent a car and drive it to Venice. For such trips, you will need not only an international driver's license, but also compliance with certain rules. Let's take a look at some of them:
- The company where you will be renting the car will require a bank credit card from you. After you pick up the car, a certain amount of money will be blocked on the card as a security for the car. The staff will unlock these funds when you return the vehicle safe and sound.
- You need to book a car 2-3 weeks before the trip. This way you will have more choice, and you can choose the best option for yourself.
- You must be at least 21 years old at the time of renting a car.
- You receive the car with a full tank of petrol and return it in the same condition.
- With a car rented in Italy, you will be able to move freely in the redistribution of France, Hungary, Switzerland and Austria. Of course, for this you should have a Schengen visa.
- The country's fines policy is strict, so it's best not to exceed the speed limit. In addition, a significant number of cameras recording violations have been installed on major highways.
- Most of the roads in Italy are toll roads. The cost depends on the type of track and its length.
When deciding to take a trip from Florence to Venice, be sure to plan the route first. If you wish, you can visit such interesting places as Bologna, Prato, Padua, Mirano and Bondeno. Also, on the way, you will often come across gas stations and small cafes. For better orientation of tourists along the Italian autobahns, signs in English are installed.
