Day Trip to Venice

Go for it! You will have hours to ride the vaporetto, stop in piazza San Marco, visit a couple of churches. October is not highest tourist season. If you spend the majority of your time away from the areas of the Rialto Bridge and piazza San Marco, you should be away from crowds. Do spend time just walking and exploring.

There is a special same day round trip ticket available for 69 EUR per person. Leave at 8:30, get there at 10:35. Last train back is at 7:25 pm, giving you 9 hours in Venice.

Yes, go and have a great day! Just wander and soak in the sights. It will be well worth the time spent traveling on the train to see this beautiful city.

I have been there eight times, including two day trips. It is a magical place. Go for it. Just hit the streets looking for the back alleys.

"Are there easy ways to escape the crowds and focus on the off-the-beaten areas of the city?"

Yes. As Rick says, "While 80 percent of Venice is, in fact, not touristy, 80 percent of the tourists never notice. Hit the back streets."

Look at a map. Find the train station (Ferrovia), Rialto Bridge, Piazza San Marco, and the most direct routes connecting them. These are the "front streets." Now, just stay away from these areas, and voila! In particular, if you go to Dorsoduro, away from the Peggy Guggenheim and the Accademia, you'll find a quiet "back streets" Venice experience.

While in Dorsoduro find your way to Campo San Barnaba and its market.

There's a scenic back way (any will do - pick one at random) through the calles to the Frari church - well worth seeing if you like your art in situ - and on the way near San Pantalon church (that's in Venetian dialect and what you will see written, the Italian name is Chiesa di San Pantaleone Martire) is the bakery called Tonolo. Tonolo, beloved of fans of Commissario Brunetti (by Donna Leon - read some of the novels if you want an authentic intimate portrayal of Venice from the viewpoint of Venetians), and try not to buy one of everything - it will be hard.

Although Venice really deserves more than a day trip, if that's all your schedule will allow then my suggestion is to go!! Willing to bet lunch you'll love it so much you'll find a way to get back on a later trip.

Thanks all for your ringing endorsement of this day trip-- I am convinced that this will be well worth it and will be booking our train trip shortly! I greatly appreciate your quick response and your enthusiasm!

I'd check the cruise ship schedule for the possible travel days and chose the day with fewest ships in port -- masses of people converge in middle of day. Try to arrive as early as you can or stay as late as you can, it's too magical for one day! That said, any time you spend in Venice will be unforgettable and precious!

https://www.cruisetimetables.com/cruises-from-venice-italy.html

Thanks for the cruise ship suggestion -- that certainly helps to plan for a better experience!

Oh Boy- Like David, I have been 4 times and next May is the 5th. To me it is unlike anything you will experience. 9 hours is not enough but if that's all you have then do it. Like all the other posters have said do some research on the areas you would like to see, back streets for sure . If this may your only time to Venice and it is October do not miss St. Mark's square but leave this for later in the afternoon. You will have to use the Vaporetto so when you come out of the station there is a kiosk to your right - you can purchase a day ticket. You will probably use it at least twice and they are not 7.50 a ride so do the math and see if a day ticket or each ride is more beneficial. Have a great time.