Please sign in to post.

Black Friday - sale question - fast train between Rome and Venice

We have been thinking of flying, next spring, from the USA into Venice and return to USA from Rome.
This would reduce travel time w/in Italy.
Given the circuitous route to Venice and returning from Rome, I don't know how full travel time varies.

TODAY (Black Friday)
there is a good sale I see right now - Black Friday
We will try to decide by noon tomorrow - so if anyone has a quick thought, I'd appreciate it.
flights from here (Midwest) to Rome, round trip may be $500 rather than $900 (typical).

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with the fast train system and doing a quick trip between Rome and Venice (at the beginning or end of the trip) - I think it's 3:45 hours and about $50

I think we'd be saving hundreds of $ but may hate it if the train ride is (feels?) long.

OR, is it possible to go via Florence in one direction and another route w/ good city to visit during the opposite leg?

Of course, we 4 travelers have to feel comfortable w/ whatever decision we make.
Thank you.

Posted by
20309 posts

There is only one high speed rail line between Venice and Rome, although two different companies operate trains on it, Trenitalia and Italotreno. Basically Rome to Florence to Bologna to Venice. If your timing is right, there is a direct train from Rome airport to Venice. Otherwise, just take the Leonardo Express to Rome Termini station and take the next train to Venice. They go at least every hour.

I think it depends on how many days you have alotted for this trip. But if you are just doing the big 3, I'd go straight to Venice at the start, then Florence on the way back to Rome.

PS, remember, you're not nailed into your seat on a train. Get up and walk around any time you want. Head to the bar car for a drink and a snack.

Posted by
393 posts

Thank you.
We are looking at two weeks.

I've been to Italy a few times but others haven't - so YES, we are looking at the big 3

I'm looking at Ravenna - hoping to spend 2 nights there (?)
A spot I'd like to go to but is impractical is Frasassi Caves.

Posted by
20309 posts

Not too difficult. You could go Rome to Florence, then to Ravenna, then to Venice, then back to Rome in one shot. That will give you a shorter train ride to Florence after you land.

Posted by
2764 posts

My advice when you see a great fare like that you buy. You don’t sit around waiting because chances are it will be gone. If you book direct you can cancel at no penalty for 24 hours so I often I’m book and then made the decision

Posted by
33123 posts

the 24 hour rule doesn't apply on train fares does it?

Posted by
2764 posts

No it doesn’t apply to trains etc. but if you are in the US, you buy your $500 ticket and then spend a few hours researching things like trains etc. if it look like it’s all going to work out you keep the ticket, if not you cancel.

Posted by
393 posts

We had lots of company for Thanksgiving. By the time I started looking at airfare, my wife was tired and went to bed/sleep.

I texted our friends - need there buy-in.

But also, I couldn't get two airfare search engines to "quote" the flights that I know work out.
Even when I did a multi-city where I said the exact east-coast city we wanted to fly through, the two engines bombed.

So, now I'm awake (7 AM) and ready to tackle it.

Posted by
8586 posts

Evan, I've seen those great fares disappear in a heartbeat. Grab them and you can figure out the details later. That is not a long train ride. And please come back and tell everyone what airline it is.

Posted by
393 posts

Multiple travel engines wouldn't work for the airfare.
I called my Flyer Points Redemption agent and she was NOT helpful.
I called our local AAA to see what' they'd say.
A very friendly, intelligent, helpful agent said
- - the flights look good
- - the AAA policies would not allow her to book them
- - she'd feel comfortable booking them - they's be separate tickets - one set for MSP to JFK - one set for JKF to Rome
And I did it
The Rome leg was $301 per person
The MSP to JFK was $197 per person

Posted by
393 posts

This fall we did RT to Paris for $450
Last year RT Zurich for $405
Those were standard RT trips
This is my first trip splitting the tickets, so to speak.

Posted by
3980 posts

Good job getting those tickets purchased. We recently took a break for lunch while trying to make our final decision about tickets and they went up by $300 each!

Posted by
1244 posts

Train Venice to Rome is easy. Sit in the bar car, enjoy a drink. Use the free on board wifi (fails in tunnels a bit), admire the scenery.
Watch the speedo hit 300km/hr.