Milan to Venice by Train
Direct high-speed (Frecciarossa / Italo, upgraded conventional line) service · from €15
Route Overview
Travel from Milan to Venice by high-speed train in as little as 2 hours and 13 minutes. Trenitalia's Frecciarossa and Italo both operate direct services between Milano Centrale and Venezia Santa Lucia, with up to 24 direct trains per day. The final moments of the journey are unforgettable -- the train crosses the 3.7 km Ponte della Liberta causeway over the Venetian Lagoon before arriving on the island.
Unlike the Rome-Milan or Rome-Florence corridors, the Milan-Venice route does not run on a dedicated high-speed line. Trains travel on upgraded conventional track at speeds up to 250 km/h, passing through the cities of Brescia, Verona, Vicenza, and Padua. Both Frecciarossa and Italo provide the same onboard services as on other Italian high-speed routes -- free WiFi, power outlets, and cafe-bar service.
Tickets start from €15 per person one way. Italo operates 7 direct services per day on this corridor, with Trenitalia providing the remainder. Booking in advance is recommended, especially during the Venice Biennale, Carnival season, and the summer months when this route is extremely popular with international tourists.
Train Operator
Trenitalia Frecciarossa
Frecciarossa (ETR 1000) high-speed service on upgraded conventional track. Italy's national operator. Four classes: Standard, Premium, Business, Executive.
Direct high-speed · 250 km/h max
Train Operator
Italo
Italo (AGV 575, EVO) private high-speed operator. 7 direct services per day on this route. Four classes: Smart, Comfort, Prima, Club Executive.
Direct high-speed · 250 km/h max
Departure & Arrival Stations
Milano Centrale
- Piazza Duca d'Aosta 1, 20124 Milano
- Metro M2, M3, Tram 2, 5, Bus. Malpensa Express to Milan Malpensa Airport (52 min). Nearby: Milano Rogoredo (some services stop here, useful for south Milan)
Venezia Santa Lucia
- Fondamenta Santa Lucia, 30121 Venezia
- Vaporetto (water bus) lines 1, 2, 4.1, 5.1, Water taxi. No cars in Venice. Nearby: Venezia Mestre (mainland, some trains terminate here)
Classes of Service
Standard (Trenitalia) / Smart (Italo)
- Free WiFi
- Power outlets at seats
- Fold-down tables
- Trenitalia: FrecciaBistro cafe-bar car
- Italo: leather seats, snack bar
Premium (Trenitalia) / Comfort (Italo)
- All Standard/Smart features
- Trenitalia Premium: welcome drink and snack service at seat
- Italo Comfort: wider seats with extra legroom
- Power outlets at seats
- Free WiFi
Business (Trenitalia) / Prima (Italo)
- Wider seats with more legroom
- Trenitalia Business: at-seat catering service, Silence Area option
- Italo Prima: Fast Track boarding, welcome service
- Free WiFi and power outlets
- Quieter carriages
Executive (Trenitalia) / Club Executive (Italo)
- Trenitalia Executive: 10 seats per carriage, FRECCIALounge access, chef menu at seat
- Italo Club Executive: personal screen, private catering, Italo Club Lounge access
- Maximum space and privacy
- Free WiFi and power outlets
- Priority boarding
Tickets & Booking Tips
Starting Price
from €15 per person, one way in Standard (Trenitalia) / Smart (Italo) class. Prices range from €15 (Super Economy/Low Cost, advance) to €70+ (Base/Flex, last-minute).
Book Early
Tickets are available Up to 120 days (approximately 4 months) in advance. Advance bookings typically offer the lowest fares.
Children & Youth
Children aged 4-14 receive discounted fares on Trenitalia. Italo offers child fares for ages 2-13.. Standard adult fares apply from age 15.. Children aged 0-3 travel free on an adult's lap without a ticket.
Luggage
No formal baggage limits on Italian high-speed trains.
Good to Know
Venice Access Fee -- Check Before You Travel
Since 2024, Venice charges an Access Fee (Contributo di Accesso) for day visitors entering the historic centre on selected peak dates. In 2026, the fee applies on 60 specified days between April 3 and July 26, from 08:30 to 16:00. The fee is €5 per person (over 14) if paid at least 4 days in advance, or €10 if paid within 3 days. Overnight hotel guests are exempt. Check the official Venice portal (cda.ve.it) before travelling.
Venezia Santa Lucia -- A Station on the Water
Venezia Santa Lucia is one of the world's most unique railway stations. When you step outside, there are no cars, buses, or taxis -- only the Grand Canal. Vaporetto (water bus) stops are directly in front of the station. Line 1 follows the Grand Canal to San Marco (approximately 35 minutes); Line 2 is a faster express route. Buy a vaporetto ticket before boarding.
Venezia Mestre -- The Mainland Alternative
Some trains terminate at Venezia Mestre station on the mainland rather than continuing to Santa Lucia on the island. If your final destination is Venice's historic centre, make sure your ticket is to Venezia Santa Lucia. Mestre is connected to Santa Lucia by frequent local trains (approximately 10 minutes) if needed.
Crossing the Lagoon -- The Ponte della Liberta
The final stretch of the journey crosses the Ponte della Liberta, a 3.7 km causeway linking the mainland to the island of Venice. Built in 1846, the railway bridge was the first fixed link to the island. As the train crosses, you get panoramic views of the Venetian Lagoon -- sit on the right side of the train for the best view.
Not a Dedicated High-Speed Line
Unlike the Rome-Milan corridor, there is no dedicated high-speed line between Milan and Venice. Trains travel on upgraded conventional tracks at up to 250 km/h. This is why the journey takes over 2 hours for a distance of 245 km. A new high-speed line has been proposed but construction has not started.
Milan-Venice via Verona
Most Milan-Venice services stop at Verona Porta Nuova (approximately 1h 10min from Milan), making it possible to visit Verona as a stopover. Some services also stop at Vicenza and Padua. Check your specific train's stopping pattern in the search results.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fastest Frecciarossa and Italo services take approximately 2 hours and 13 minutes. The average journey time is around 2 hours and 30 minutes, depending on intermediate stops.
Tickets start from €15 per person one way when booked in advance. Italo fares start from €14.90. Fully flexible Base fares cost significantly more.
Trains to Venezia Santa Lucia arrive on the island, directly on the Grand Canal. Some trains terminate at Venezia Mestre on the mainland instead. Check your ticket to confirm your arrival station.
If you are visiting Venice as a day visitor on one of the 60 designated peak days in 2026 (April 3 to July 26), you must pay the Access Fee of €5-10 per person. Overnight guests in Venice hotels are exempt. Check cda.ve.it for applicable dates.
Venice has no cars or taxis. From Venezia Santa Lucia station, you can take a vaporetto (water bus), water taxi, or walk. Vaporetto tickets can be purchased at machines outside the station. Line 1 goes along the Grand Canal to San Marco.
Yes. Many Milan-Venice trains stop at Verona Porta Nuova, approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes from Milan. You can break your journey here, but you will need separate tickets for each leg.