Padua from Venice as a Day Trip on our own

The main advantage to the more expensive fast trains is that they run more frequently than the much less expensive local trains. Travel time is indeed about the same, and Padua is an easy day trip from Venice (I did a Padua/Vicenza day trip a few years ago). I think local trains are the way to go provided you can work around their more limited schedule. Both the fast and local trains stop at the same station. While you can walk from the train station to the Basilica, it's more efficient to take the inexpensive tram into the city center. It passes the Scrovegni Chapel, which has beautifully restored frescos. If you enjoy great frescos, then it would probably be worth the cost. The anatomy theater might be of interest, although reserving tickets in advance can be a challenge (no one answered the phone when I called, and I made several attempts). Wandering around the historic center and enjoying a nice lunch is also a nice way to spend time in Padua.

We did Padova as a stopover between Venice and Verona, since they do have a left luggage facility at the train station. We loved it! Rick Steves has a really good suggested daytrip itinerary in both the Italy and Venice/Veneto guidebooks. Yes, you can walk to the Basilica (we did). Padova is mostly laid out along a straight line, and the Basilica is at the far end of that line. There are lots of things to see along the way. You might decide as we did to take the tram back up to the train station after seeing the Basilica. (By the way, they strictly enforce the dress code at St. Anthony's. No bare knees or shoulders and no arguing with the guards. I saw an Italian women get turned away and she was pitching a fit. It did her no good.) The Scrovegni Chapel is close to the train station (there's only one station), and it's definitely worth the effort and bucks if you're a fan of early Renaissance art. (I am.) Since we were traveling in shoulder season (early May), we just made our Scrovegni reservations at the TI in the train station when we arrived. You can get a Padova Pass at the same time that allows you to take the tram and gets you into the various museums and churches. But if you're going in busy season, you might not be as lucky as we were. (Do be sure to check out the Pinacoteca museum of paintings above the waiting area for the Scrovegni Chapel.) Also, here's a tip I wished we had known. Buy your evening train ticket when you arrive rather than waiting to buy it at the end of your day. If you try to leave during rush hour (say, 4 pm to 6 pm), you'll have to wait in line to buy tickets, even at the kiosks. There will be hordes of students buying tickets at the same time. Here are some photos of that trip, in case you're interested: Padova May 2011. Happy travels.

Thank you for the responses, these are very helpful.

The Scrovegni Chapel is definitely worth the extra bucks - mind blowing frescos, brilliant colours. Wow! For conservation reasons you have to go through an airlock before going into the chapel and there is an interesting video about the work done to conserve the frescos. The chapel is part of a museum complex which I found fascinating - notebooks and artifacts from Belzoni's early work in Egypt, Etrsucan and Roman artifacts. Recommend you visit the market (note it closes by 1 pm) to buy the makings of a picnic lunch. The University area is interesting (esp. the Anatomy Theatre). Padua is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the names of many of its early graduates from all over Europe are proudly displayed.

Delza, since you mention the importance of the Basilica to you (it also was the reason I went to Padua) I'd suggest a stop at the associated Oratory of St George and the Confraternity of St Anthony. As you face the church, they are the buildings on your right that face the plaza. They have some really lovely frescos, including the life of St Anthony. The Confraternity has work of Titian. And you're likely to have those spaces all to yourself, which was a nice break from the crowds in the Basilica. And I'd suggest definitely doing the Scrovegni Chapel. I lovely early Renaissance art but am not particularly a Giotto fan. Yet I found it to be quite moving.

Delza, I have a standing date with Giotto every time I go to Padova, and I never get tired of the Scrovegni Chapel. You can only be inside for about 20 minutes, plus the pre-entry preparation. Next door is the chuch of the Eremitani, with what remains of beautiful frescoes after the church was bombed during the war. Padova is the second stop (after Venezia-Mestre) on the train, so I don't think you'll save much time by taking the fast train, but the timing may be more convenient. Another area that is very easy to get to is the Prato, very relaxing with some interesting cafes/restaurants and a beautiful basilica.

You've already gotten excellent advice, so I'll just emphasize that if you're gong to Padova, DON'T MISS the Scrovegni Chapel! Be sure to make a reservation if you're anywhere near high season. And if you feel like walking, fine, but if you don't, don't hesitate to take the tram, since it directly connects all the attractions, and is cheap.

Thank you for your take on this day trip, Lesley, Zoe, Sherry and Harold.
Now you have really convinced me to see the Scrovegni Chapel, since I am there then I really should because it always amaze me how these wonderful art could still be there after all this time.

Another similar chapel experience, but without the time restriction, is the Signorelli Chapel in the Orvieto Duomo. Just stunning. He was so far ahead of his time.

Absolutely see the Giotto fresco but buy tickets in advance. But, leave time to walk through Padua and maybe grab something to eat. Right near the church streets are closed to traffic and it really is a nice area to walk. Also some parks nearby.

Absolutely see the Scrovegni Chapel, aka Arena Chapel!!! If offered, spend even more bucks to stay an extended length of time (typically during the summer...) We got 45 mins inside, and that wasn't even enough LOL! But, we really studied up on the frescoes before our trip - they were a highlight. So, I'm with Zoe on keeping a standing appointment ;-) But...Be sure you arrive in plenty of time to collect your tickets (follow directions on the website). You must arrive earlier than your actual time with the frescoes in order to spend time 'dehumidifying' before entering the chapel. There won't be much difference in the trains (meaning, one won't be horribly uncomfortable); just go by price/schedule. Be sure to allow time to purchase train tickets at the Venice train station; the lines for ticket windows and self-serve kiosks can be long - you may want to get your tickets earlier, such as on arrival to Venice...It's a bit of a walk to the SC, but doable if you're in reasonable shape. If I'm not mistaken (and I have been, once or twice), the Basilica is beyond the SC, so take that into consideration. Use Google Street View to map out your path from the train station. So, you might consider a taxi if you're on the fence or have issues that would make using a taxi a smart thing to do. You can always walk back... We visited Padua as a day trip from Venice, too, but only had time for the SC (we we're having too good of a time at the Doge's Palace!), so we 'need' to return 8^D

One last comment (maybe?). Don't rely on Rick Steves' map in the Veneto guidebook when you're in Padua, especially when visiting the Scrovegni Chapel. His arrow is skewed toward the entrance to the park next to the chapel, and we walked the whole length of the park looking for the entrance to the chapel, which is further toward town. Most annoying. Maybe we were just dumb. But the chapel is spectacular and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Also don't miss the Palazzo della Ragione, in between the two parts of the market. My husband, an architect, was blown away by the interior. It's free with the Padova card.

I also remember the Scrovegni Chapel entrance issue being confusing. That's because you don't go to the Chapel proper - you go to the nearby Civic Museum on the Piazza Eremitani. The museum is where you go in, pick up your reserved ticket, and hang around waiting for your group to be led to the nearby chapel. You will also check any bags here. While you're hanging out in that museum, you can go downstairs to see a pretty interesting exhibit on the fresco techniques used, as well as a video on the Scrovegni family and the creation of the chapel. Once it's time, you will be led to the chapel itself, where you will wait outside for a few minutes. Then you get let into a glassed-in area where you sit and watch another video. When that video finishes, you will see the previous group exit the chapel, and then (FINALLY!) you will be led in. WARNING: They tell you it's a 15 minute visit, but it's much closer to 10 minutes, as they start to herd you out before the full 15 minutes is up. (Otherwise the next group would be late.) While you're in there, notice what happens to Judas's halo in the progression of panels as they approach the betrayal of Jesus. And I was really moved by the crying angels - apparently a first for its time to display that much emotion in a fresco. Go Giotto! There's a diagram here: To get to the Scrovegni Chapel And do be sure to go into the Pinacoteca area in the museum, above where you initially waited. It's got some amazing stuff. (And I agree - the Palazzo della Ragione is amazing. It's also has a HUGE wooden horse sculpture in it.)

A couple of years ago when we visted the Scrovegni Chapel we paid a premium for an extended visit (late evening?) and it was well worth it for me. I don't know what the regular hours offer, but we were with a very small group and it was akin to a private tour with the guide. These frescoes are extraordinary and occupy a particular place in the history of painting. We were very happily surprised with Padua. Roving bands of graduating students "roasted" their companions in costume and song. The University and its Botanical Garden are nice,too. The Prato was beautiful; we strolled at night.Have a great time in Padua.

If we buy the Padova Card online before our trip (which would include the Scrovegni Chapel so it is really the best bang for my buck so to speak even if we are only there for not even a whole day), do I still have to reserve the Scrovegni visit separately and where can I do that with the Padova card since it is not specific to the chapel only?

Just a quick reminder to validate your train ticket when you're catching the train. You can buy a return, save queueing twice. We spent 2 weeks in Padua a couple of years ago (visiting family) and it's a lovely place. Have an Aperol spritzer somewhere nice while you're there!

Rick's Venice and the Veneto book tells you all about the Padova Card and what it covers. Almost everything except the St. Anthony Basilica. You can ride free on the tram (watch it, my husband got his pocket picked!) and get in everywhere. When I bought it online last year I got it through the Scrovegni Chapel website and made my reservation at the same time. www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it

Thank you, Katherine. That is a good tip because I thought I needed to buy it in a separate Padova Card site not in the Scrovegni Chapel one. I did not know you can buy the Padova card at the chapel website. Thank you all again for your responses, all very helpful indeed!!!!!!

Two clarifications - the tram is included in the Padova Card - it's not "free". I would hate someone to read that sentence that says the tram is free and think incorrectly that they don't need any kind of ticket. And as for validating train tickets, you only have to do that for those tickets that do not have an assigned seat. That's usually the Regionale trains.

Thank you, Michael... I learn alot from your insights and I love your pictures :))

I nearly forgot... consider bringing a monocular/binocular to see the detail on those frescoes!!! They'll come in handy for other things, too (churches, statues, architectural details, signs, etc). But Know Thyself - don't bring them if you think you'll hate dragging them around Europe.

We bought the Padova Card because it offered convenience of not having to stand in line to buy tickets. You can just peek in some of the places covered on the card. The website allowed us to make the mandatory reservations for the Scrovegni Chapel. The Card also included use of all public transportation. Buses to city center and the Scrovegni leave from the train station frequently, and it's an easy way to get back to the station from the Basilica. The Baptistery (at the duomo & on the Padova Card)is incredible, real medieval frescoes, and the Palazzo Raggione is worth a look at the fabulous ceiling.

There were a couple of mentions above about the anatomy theater at the university. We found the tour really interesting. Advance reservations are not available; you have to just show up and get tickets. I recommend showing up at least 15 minutes in advance of the tour. The tour guide sells the tickets and ours overbooked the tour by about 50%. There was room for that, though, and it was great. She took a poll before the tour of the four languages she could speak and ended up doing the tour in English and French (the other choices were Italian and German). For someone with an interest in science, medicine, and/or education, the tour would probably be interesting even if they didn't run it in English.