Is a day trip to Venice from Florence crazy or doable?

Yes, it can be done. But Venice is worth staying 2-3 nights. It's the early mornings and late evenings when the hordes of tourists have gone that the place seems magical.

Agree with Angela, it certainly can be done. With the very fast Frecciargento train, you can be there in 2 hours. That's faster than you can get to either the Cinque Terre or Assisi on a day trip from Florence. If you can buy your tickets online in advance and you are willing to accept non-refundable tickets, you can get fares as low as 19Euro one-way. (45Euro regular fare).

As you depart the train station, you will be on the Grand Canal. Buy a 12-hour vaporetto ticket and take either the No 1 or No 2 vaporetto going to Lido and head down the canal. You can get off at Rialto or San Marco and tour the areas. Yes, there will be lots of people. Eat lots of gelato.

We did this.. Florence to Venice for a day. What a long day that was....and we didn't see much of Venice, but did get an overview for a return visit this year.

You can do it, but plan on 4-6 hours of travel. If you plan to take the fast train to save time, make sure you make your reservations ASAP (based on the date you plan to do this). The fast train is much nicer than any regional, and the cost can be expensive if you walk up and buy the day you plan to travel.

We got in to Venice @11AM and did the main sights, but no time to walk the small side streets, or to get away from the main tourist areas. We enjoyed a lunch, climbed the bell tower, skipped the inside of the church (line too long). Walked over the Rialto bridge and saw the Jewish Ghetto, taking a tour of the synagogue, then it was time to go back to Florence on the 6PM train. I remember getting into Florence late, like 10PM...we just went back to our hotel and went to bed.

Very doable. Venice major highlights can be seen in a day.
First fast train Frecciargento departs Firenze SMN at 8:30 and arrives 2 hrs later at 10:35.
Your latest train back departs Venezia SL at 19:25 and arrives back to Firenze SMN at 21:30.
During high season, when there are millions of tourists, such as now, seats in 2nd class in that segment sell out in the early morning train to Venice. So buy the ticket at least 1 or 2 days earlier, otherwise you may need to pay more for first class or wait for the next train and lose precious time.

I agree that it's very doable. You can see a few of the things Venice has to offer and soak up some atmosphere as well. It's not the best plan but if you only have one day it's worth it to go. Is it possible to do as an overnight in order to get more time there? You could book a cheap hotel, leave the majority of your things at the hotel in Florence and come back late the next night.

Donna

Thank you all. We are considering the trip (we are in Florence now!) Unfortunately, early departure trains are sold out, as a few of you guessed. If we had 6 hours in Venice, what would you suggest that we do, and would that make it less doable?
Grazie!

I would ride the vaporetto up the Grand Canal, and then just stroll the streets. I would try and see the Duomo as mosaics there are amazing and I think the church itself has a more Eastern feel than the other more 'Western ' churchs. Enjoy San Marco Plaza and then just enjoy the atmosphere of this very unique city.
In a way , having such a short time is very freeing! I wonuldnt rush to do all the 'must sees' - you can take a break from churches and museums and focus on a leisurly time strolling and enjoying the cafes, bars and gellato!

Did they sell out also the first class (about €60 o/w)? That's unusual.

In 6 hours I would take the vaporetto to San Marco. Visit the basilica, maybe a quick visit to the Doge's palace. If lines are not too long take the elevators to the top of the campanile for the view.
Then walk back to the station (about 40 min. max including window shopping) passing through the Rialto bridge.
Skip the Accademia and Guggenheim, unless paintings are your love.

.Italo Treno has seats on their first train tomorrow. 08:55-11:00 Fi.SMN>VeSL, returning 18:55-21:00, €31 pp each way, or in Prima class for €5 pp each extra.

Thank you again. These itinerary ideas are exactly what I was looking for.
Yes, the 8:30 and 9:30 trains on trenitalia were totally sold out, even first class. On the 10:15 train, the base rate is the only one available.
I did not check on any site other then trenitalia. It sounds like there is another train that might get us there, as one of you suggested. I just didn't know that existed-I will look at it.
Is the correct station Venezia S. Lucia?
Thank you!

Have a look at https://biglietti.italotreno.it/BookingAcquistoRicerca.aspx?Culture=en-US
and see what you find. Italo Treno is a really easy website to use.

If you do buy from them, register - it is easy.

Yes, Venezia Santa Lucia. Walk up to the front of the train, straight through the station and stop at the top of the steps and take in the view, then ask yourselves why oh why you only came for a few hours, then go down the steps towards the left, get your vaporetto passes (the smallest ones) inside the white cabin with the short queue outside, and have at it...

Nigel has pointed out some options with seats availble on Italo Treno which will give you 8 hours in Venice. Much better than 6 hours. the station in Venice is Venezia Santa Lucia or Venezia S.L.

I agree with the suggestion to start with a "cruise" down the Grand Canal on the vaporetto, heading to Piazza San Marco. However, the vaporetto stop nearest the train station ( Ferrovia) can have very long lines, and you may board a very crowded vaporetto with standing room only and no views ( if you are small like me). I suggest you turn right leaving the station and cross the controversial Ponte della Constituzione to catch the vaporetto at Piazzale Roma, near the start. Buy tickets there for one ride, €7 each and be sure to validate them with the little machine before you board. ( Watch others and you will see what to do; you just hold the ticket up to the designated spot on the machine and listen for a beep). The No. 2 "express" is a better choice than the No. 1 which makes all the stops and takes much longer. Try to board near the front of the group and head directly for an outside seat at the front (preferably) or the back. You will ride to either San Marco or San Zaccaria, the next stop.

What you do after seeing Piazza San Marco is up to you and how much time you have. I would not wait in along linentomsee the Doge's Palace, but a 15-minute wait to enter the basilica would be richly rewarded. After that I would walk to the Accademia Bridge (follow signs or use a map), cross, and head west to the end of Dorsoduro at Punta del Dogana which has wonderful views across to San Marco. You can walk along the water or through back streets lined with artisans' shops. There are some good gelato places along Zattere, the walkway along the Giudecca Canal. Or you may need lunch. I suggest you pop into a bar for a sandwich rather than taking time for a full restaurant meal. Just do not try topicnicnin Piazza San Marco---it is not allowed.

The rest is up to you and your interests. You can work your way slowly back to the train station, stopping to see whatever interests you on the way. Leave time for an Aperol Spritz or other apertivo if you are so inclined and you see a pleasant spot to stop. You will also need to pick up something for dinner on the train, or stop in a chiccetti bar for a quick bite.

This is wonderful, thank you everyone. We are going on Saturday. Do you have any suggestions for how I can get a Venice map once there? I am not used to doing things in this relatively spontaneous fashion!

Jane. Maybe you will find this spontaneous side trip to be a special memory!
Although it is easy to get lost with or without a map you can always ask how to get to st marks as well as look on the sides of the buildings for signage. It is rather high up and a bit discreet, but it is there.

I love those spontaneous moments...who would not want to soak up a bit of Venice? Even with limited time take an hour to wander some side streets away from the crowds and imagine what it will be like when you can return and spend a few days. But for now, take what you can get!

At Florence train station just off the booking office is a book store. last year they had maps of all of the major cities including venice.

If you like spending hours of your day on a train rather than getting deep into a city, if the method of travel is more important than a place, yes. Otherwise, from Florence, there are many day trips that are worth it, and I'm sure you are already going to visit Sienna-- we did it with a lovely bus ride and made the most of our day there. We just got back from our time in Italy, and stayed in Venice for one week, making a side trip to Verona. We were going to do another one to Padua, but frankly, there was just too much to see in Venice and the islands surrounding it, to leave. I hope that gives you an idea.
laurel

Short answer--crazy...but doable. Give Florence its due and Venice its due. Don't cheat Venice by sitting on a train. Venice is another world, unlike any other city.

If you are going to buy a map, get one at a bookstore in Florence and look at it on your way to Venice.