Any suggestions on how is the best way to travel from Florence to Venezia ? This is our 1st trip to Italy and we wil ending our RS tour in April in Florence. We thought it would be nice to spend a couple of days on Venice before we head home. Looks like about 2 hours by car?
If the train is the best way, can we wait and buy tickets the day we are leaving? We don't mind the higher price. since we want the freedom to travel on our own time schedule.
Thanks
Nate
Unless you have need of a car between Florence and Venice- take the train.
You won't need or want car in either city.
If you don't have a car for other reasons, the fastest, cheapest and most comfortable way is the train (2hrs). By car it's at least 3 hrs and the cost is more if you have to rent a car. The train is just 45 euro per person, full price. You can buy the ticket right there on the spot when you arrive at the station. There is at least one train every hour. Buying at the automatic machines is faster (the manned window has long lines sometimes). If you buy ahead (up to 120 days before travel) you can get a discounted ticket. However those are non changeable and non refundable if you change your mind, therefore not a good choice if you want the flexibility of going (or not going) on a whim.
I would recommend Italo train. It's just as fast as Trenitalia and the purchase online is easy and you can take advantage of early purchase discounts..
I paid 24.50 euro one way between Florence and Venice. This ticket price allows a change until 3 minutes before departure for a 10% surcharge and perhaps an additional cost if seats are not available at your original purchase price. (The cheapest tickets were 19 euro one way but don't have the change feature.)
I had to change my departure date after purchasing . I got charged 10% but no issues with the change as seats for 24.50 were still available..
I did this all on line from home. The Italo train website is easy to use - click on the top right to get English.
http://www.italotreno.it/IT/Pagine/default.aspx
In addition, Italo has waiting rooms available at both stations. There are also staff at the station to assist you.
