My flight lands in Venice at 4:45 PM and I would like to be catch a train that evening to Florence. It looks like the last train leaves Venice at 7:27 PM. Will I have enough time to get through customs, get my bag, take the bus to the train station...and not run to catch the train? Or is it really better to stay in Venice that night and catch an early morning train?
Thanks!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
I wouldn't count on making the train. In the best of all worlds, you should be trying to catch the bus to the Piazalle Roma by about 6:00. Arrving there at 6:20pm, you then have to get to the train station which is one stop away on the vaporetto or I think that you can now walk it with the new 4th bridge over the Grand Canal.
There are also buses that run from Marco Polo to the Venice Mestre train station. You cut your travel time to the train by about 30 minutes and get to the 7:27 train's first stop quicker.
Here's the scoop on that bus. Buses to Venice-Mestre Railroad Station. Both ATVO and Actv run frequent buses to the railway station in Venice's suburb of Mestre, on the mainland, where express trains connect with cities in Northern and Southern Italy. Buy tickets for the "Fly Bus" at the ATVO booth or for the #15 city bus at the Actv counter.
But that's the best of all worlds. Your plane could be late and customs could take longer or both. The overnight at the Venice airport mentioned by Steve is not a bad idea. The Courtyard by Marriott is within walking distance of the terminal or they have a shuttle.
You could take your chances. If your plane is on time, I'm betting that you can easily make it. You can pay the bus fare onboard. The fare is about 3Euro but you should have a few Euro in your pocket. Second, be prepared to use the ticket machine at the Mestre station. It will prompt you in English and will accept your American credit card. Do not get on board without a ticket expecting to pay on board. No can do. 50Euro fine. If you miss, you can always try for a nearby hotel.