Day trip from Florence to Venice?

I’d take a couple days for Venice. It’s really too far for a day trip. You should go there first. Geographically it doesn’t make sense to go in between Florence and Rome.

Given your mindset and (minimal ? ) expectations, you should be fine.

If you have read here for a while, you already know most folks find the thought of a day trip to Venice a less than ideal prospect.

I see one of two outcomes if you do as you propose:
1- You will be happy you did not devote more time than the day.
2- It will be on your 'must do for longer' on your next trip list.

Happy travels

Hi KRS- I did a similar Florence /Rome trip a few years ago- only 4 nights in Florence. Took the earliest fast train from Florence to Venice and the last fast train back to Florence which was VERY crowded. Had an "uncomfortable" encounter with a smoker trying to force his way into our non-smoking cabin on the return train. I would have to fall into outcome #1 in Joe32F's response,

1- You will be happy you did not devote more time than the day.

Have a great trip!!!

I really, really discourage this. So often people show up on the forum, saying friends have told them a day is enough time in Venice because they didn't like it much. Well, it's my contention they didn't like it because they only spent one day there--and a daytrip is even worse. Venice gets slammed by daytrippers on cruises and cheap tours; they're trying to avoid the cost of hotels in Venice. This means the city is clogged during daytripping hours. Worse, all those folks seem to want to see the same limited parts of Venice, so they are all packed into the area between the train station and the Rialto Bridge and around Piazza San Marco.

Venice is magical, but to see that magic you need to have time to visit the less-touristy corners. It's difficult to do that on a day trip unless you're willing to skip the places everyone designates as top sights.

Venice is unique. Truly worth 2 overnights.

Cut down days in Florence. 3 nights is fine.

I’d add 2 nights in Siena and a 1/2 in Milan to see the Last Super ( if the painting has any interest)

Book open jaw.

Fly into one city and out the other.

I hadn't expected to fall in love with Venice but I did, almost instantly after getting off the bus from the airport. I wish I'd had more than five days there. And I expect other posters are right that some visitors dislike Venice because all they experience is the well-worn midday path between the ships and San Marco.

That said, the only way you'll know how you feel about Venice is to go there, and your total timeframe doesn't really lend itself to all three cities. A day trip from Florence will give you enough of a taste to decide whether you want to return. From the station, get on vaporetto #1 and head down the Grand Canal, under the Rialto Bridge, and get off somewhere farther along, like Ca' Rezzonico or Accademia or Santa Maria Salute. Wander around, by all means visit San Marco along your way, but experience some other part of the city too. If you have enough time and energy, walk back to the station through Canareggio without crossing the Grand Canal. If not, take the vaporetto back. After that, either you'll be ready to check the Venice box or you'll want to return for a longer visit on a future trip. I'm in the second category but not everyone is. And that's OK, Venice has no shortage of visitors!

I would go ahead and spend the day there if you are interested in getting a Venice "sampler." Nothing wrong with that. The key will be to pick the 2 most important things to you to see in Venice and focus on those. Another idea is to take a guided walk that gives you a few highlights.

If you want to see someone's idea of Venice in a day, you might enjoy this link.
https://theromanguy.com/italy-travel-blog/venice/venice-in-a-day-travel-tips/

There is nothing wrong with visiting Venice as a day trip from Florence, I have done it in the past myself, and have also visited twice since and spent several nights in Venice itself. It is definitely beautiful and if you're not sure if it's really worth the trouble of changing your current plans, then a day trip is the perfect way to find out if you'd like to go back the next time you're in Italy.

I'd do the day trip to Venice... it is a unique experience and you can decide if you'd like to return. I am not a fan of Venice and I did spend 3 nights there the first time. I've been back twice due to flights and I think it is beautiful but it is not a favorite of mine. I think it is a must see and you can certainly accomplish that in a day trip.