Florence to Venice by Train
Direct high-speed service · from €19
Route Overview
High-speed trains connect Florence and Venice in approximately 2 hours, covering 253 km. Two competing operators — Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa and the private Italo — provide around 26 daily departures with approximately 17 direct services.
All high-speed trains depart from Firenze Santa Maria Novella, stop at Bologna Centrale, and continue through the Emilia-Romagna and Veneto plains to Venice. Trains pause at Venezia Mestre on the mainland before crossing the lagoon bridge to terminate at Venezia Santa Lucia — directly on the Grand Canal.
Both operators offer four travel classes, from standard seating (from €19) to executive class with gourmet dining. Competition between the two operators generally keeps prices low. Seat reservation is mandatory and included in all tickets.
Train Operator
Frecciarossa (Trenitalia)
Italy’s flagship high-speed train service, operated by Trenitalia (state railway). Frecciarossa 1000 trains are the newest generation, running at up to 300 km/h.
Direct high-speed · 300 km/h max
Train Operator
Italo
Private high-speed operator using AGV 575 and EVO trains at up to 300 km/h. Approximately 11 services daily on this route. Onboard entertainment platform available.
Direct high-speed · 300 km/h max
Departure & Arrival Stations
Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN)
- Florence city centre
- Shops, restaurants, luggage storage. Main station for international and high-speed trains. Other Florence stations: Rifredi, Campo di Marte.
Venezia Santa Lucia
- Venice island, directly on the Grand Canal
- Vaporetto (water bus) from station exit. Do not exit at Venezia Mestre (mainland) — ride to the end for Santa Lucia.
Classes of Service
Frecciarossa Standard / Italo Smart
- 2+2 seating in open salon
- Free WiFi
- Power outlets at all seats
- Restaurant car (Frecciarossa) / Snack area (Italo)
Frecciarossa Premium / Italo Comfort
- Slightly wider seats with more space
- Complimentary drink and snack (included)
- Free WiFi
- Power outlets at all seats
Frecciarossa Business / Italo Prima
- Wide seats with generous legroom
- Welcome drink and catering service
- Free WiFi
- Power outlets at all seats
- Dedicated concierge service (Italo Prima)
Frecciarossa Executive / Italo Club Executive
- Gourmet meal served at seat
- Dedicated lounge access
- Maximum space and privacy (limited to ~10 passengers)
- Concierge service
- Free WiFi
- Power outlets at all seats
Tickets & Booking Tips
Starting Price
from €19 per person, one way in Frecciarossa Standard / Italo Smart class. Prices range from €19 (Standard/Smart advance) to €80-100 (Executive/Club Executive). Competition between operators keeps prices low..
Book Early
Tickets are available Up to 4-6 months in advance (varies by operator). Advance bookings typically offer the lowest fares.
Children & Youth
Children aged 4–14: discounted fares (Trenitalia). Italo: children aged 3–13 discounted.. Standard adult fares apply. Both operators offer promotional youth fares periodically.. Children under 4 travel free on an adult’s lap (Trenitalia). Italo: children under 3 free.
Luggage
1 large bag + 1 hand luggage per passenger. No formal weight limit.
Good to Know
Two Competing High-Speed Operators
Both Trenitalia (Frecciarossa) and Italo operate high-speed trains on this route. Competition keeps prices low. Compare both operators for the best deal.
Get Off at Santa Lucia, Not Mestre
Most trains stop at both Venezia Mestre (mainland) and Venezia Santa Lucia (island). Santa Lucia is the final stop — right on the Grand Canal. Make sure you ride to the end.
Frequent Service
Around 26 trains per day run between Florence and Venice, with approximately 17 direct services. You are rarely more than 30 minutes from the next train.
Via Bologna
All high-speed trains on this route stop at Bologna Centrale. The initial Florence-Bologna stretch passes through several tunnels. Beyond Bologna, open landscapes of Emilia-Romagna and the Veneto appear.
No Check-In Required
As with all Italian trains, there is no check-in. Walk into the station, find your platform on the departure boards, and board the train. Show your ticket to the conductor onboard.
Seat Reservation Included
All Frecciarossa and Italo tickets include a mandatory seat reservation. You are assigned a specific car and seat number.
Executive Class Dining
Both Frecciarossa Executive and Italo Club Executive include gourmet meals served at your seat, lounge access, and dedicated concierge service. Limited to approximately 10 passengers.
Onward Connections from Venice
From Venezia Santa Lucia: Frecciarossa to Milan (2h 25m), Trieste (2h), Padua (25 min). EuroCity trains to Vienna and Munich.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fastest direct Frecciarossa and Italo trains take approximately 2 hours 1 minute. Average journey time is around 2 hours 14 minutes.
Approximately 26 trains per day, with around 17 direct services. Frecciarossa runs roughly hourly, Italo approximately every 3 hours.
Advance fares start from €19 on both Frecciarossa and Italo. Prices vary by date, class, and availability. Book early for best prices.
Both are high-speed trains with similar journey times and comfort levels. Frecciarossa is Trenitalia (state operator), Italo is a private competitor. Both offer 4 travel classes. Compare prices for the best deal.
Venezia Santa Lucia is on the island, directly on the Grand Canal — this is where most travelers want to be. Venezia Mestre is on the mainland. Most trains stop at both — ride to the end for Santa Lucia.
Electronic tickets (print-at-home or mobile) do not need validation. Paper tickets purchased at the station must be validated at the green/yellow machines before boarding.
Yes — both Frecciarossa and Italo offer free Wi-Fi in all classes.
Yes — from Venezia Santa Lucia: Frecciarossa to Milan (2h 25m), Rome (3h 45m), Padua (25 min), Trieste (2h). EuroCity trains connect to Vienna and Munich.