If I buy a train ticket from Venice to Monselice, could I get off in Padova and board again within the 4 hour window that the train ticket is valid? Or vice versa on the way back to Venice from Monselice, stop in Padova for an hour or two and continue?
Thank you so much, sorry if this has been answered already.
Technically yes. Travel must be completed within 4 hours of the first validation. So in the first case, let us say you bought a ticket from Venezia S. Lucia to Monselice and validated your ticket at 8:30 and boarded the 8:42 Regionale Veloce, then got off at Padova. You could then board the 12:10 Regionale Veloce at Padova that arrives at Monselice at 12:29 and you would be legal by 1 minute.
However, this strategy only saves you 2 EUR. The cost of a ticket from Venezia S. Lucia to Monselice is 5.45 EUR. The cost of a ticket from Venezia S. Lucia to Padova is 4.10 EUR and the ticket from Padova to Monselice is 3.35 EUR. Might be easier and less stressful to buy individual tickets.
From the google translate version of the Conditions of Carriage:
- The hourly validity starts from the time the ticket is validated. Travel must be completed within 4 hours of validation, with certain exceptions laid down by specific regional rates. Tickets purchased online are valid for 4 hours from the start for the selected train and not require validation
Edit - Actually, the next paragraph in the Conditions of Carriage:
intermediate stops - The traveler can make an unlimited number of stops during the
validity of the ticket.
The traveler who is on the train at the expiration of the validity of the ticket may continue their journey
already it started until the destination station without intermediate stops except to change
with the first useful train.
So it appears you could board the continuing train as late as 12:30, but looking at the schedule, the next train is at 12:41, so to be legal, you would have to have validated the original ticket just before boarding.
sarah,
Even if you wanted to stay in an intermediate location beyond the four hour validity of the original ticket, Regionale tickets are not usually that expensive so just buy another ticket for your ongoing journey.
I would not limit time spent in my stops to save a couple of euro. The places you mention are worth a few hours each (Padova could easily take an entire day, a sit-down espresso in one of the beautiful piazze would take some time, and you have to get from the train station into Monselice and back, a longer walk than it would take in Padova).
I do think making Padova your last stop is a good idea, there are more train options to Venezia from there if you do decide to give it more time.
Thank you so much for this information!
We are spending 5 nights in Venice beginning next Saturday. I want to see Monselice castle one day, and if there is time stop off in Padova on the way back. We may be tired at that point and only want to stay for a short time.
I really appreciate the replies and help from this forum planning our trip!
Agree with Zoe, allow more time for Padova. Unless you have no interest in art, the Scrovegni Chapel is one of Italy's treasures with Giotto frescoes covering every inch and would be a must-see if you're anywhere near Padova. You need advance reservations, easy to do online. But they fill up quickly so reserve ASAP. Trains to Venice run frequently and throughout the evening. Check Trenitalia schedule for times of last trains. You could see Scrovegni, have dinner in the beautiful Prato delle Valle area and easily make it back to Venice before bedtime. Yes, don't let the 4 hour ticket drive your schedule as the tickets are so cheap.
I was hoping to leave Venice with no scheduled plans - our vacation within the vacation.
It looks like there are a lot of entry times for the Scrovengi chapel. Do you know if it's possible to book with my phone 24 hours in advance and pick up tickets there or show on the phone?
We don't know when you are going. In my experience a few years ago, you bought the reservation on line and just showed up before the appointment and gave your name at the desk. Interesting little museum there while you wait for the appointed time.
Great, yes I mentioned in my previous post we are spending 5 nights in Venice beginning next Saturday.
Although it says several times on the Scrovengi Chapel website that it's not possible to buy tickets the day of the visit, it also says:
"How to visit
Visitors who have not booked should check entry availability at the Museum ticket office."
I visited Padua in mid-July 2015. At that time there was a tourist office right at (perhaps inside) the train station. I was staying three nights so I bought the Padova card, and the T.O. staff made a reservation for me at the Scrovegni Chapel on the spot. I don't remember whether the reservation was for my arrival day or the next day. As a solo traveler, I sometimes luck into situations where there's just one slot left.
Although you might be fortunate, trying to get a same-day booking for two or more people within a very limited time window may not work out. As long as you're prepared for that--and Padua has lots of other interesting sights to occupy your time--you may as well try. I understand the desire for flexibility; I travel that way myself. Remember that Padua is a very short train ride from Venice, so if the opportunity on your Monselice day doesn't pan out, you can return to Padua. Padua is worth a lot more time than an hour or two.
