We will be staying in Venice for five nights. Looking to do some day trips while there. We see the train ride to Rome is about 4 hours. Once in Rome at train station, is it best to take taxi or bus to sight see? Also any suggestions for other day trips from Venice.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15204 posts
I can think of a whole lot of day trips from Venice before Rome, which is 330 miles away.
It would be like for me going from SF to LA on a day trip.
With 5 nights in Venice, you have 4 days.
1: Venice
2: Murano, Burano, Torcello
3: Padova and Vicenza
4: Verona
Other possible trips are Ravenna, Bologna, Ferrara. Even Florence would make more sense than Rome.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11339 posts
From Venice, Padova is a very nice day trip, and of course the islands in the Laguna: Murano, Burano, and Torcello.
Rick Steves' guide covers transportation in Rome very well. It depends on where you are staying, what sights you are visiting, your endurance, and weather as to what mode of trans is best. A combo of taxi, bus, Metro, tram, and feet depending on the other factors. If it's hot, you might indulge more in taxis, for example.
EDIT: I did not realize you intended Rome to be the daytrip until I read Roberto's response. Don't try it. If you are in Venice, see the area there.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15827 posts
Oh gosh. Rome deserves much, much more than a few hours so save that one for a future trip. It would also be a waste of valuable sightseeing time to spend that many hours on a train in one day. Roberto and Laurel have offered up some great ideas so go with any of those!
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thank you all for your input. We will rethink the Rome idea.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I agree with the others about Roma.
I really love Ravenna, Ferrara and Padova. Any would be great daytrips, but also visit Burano and Torcello.
Posted by
US
131 posts
I agree with the others. Rome has so very much to see that arrving for just a few hours wouldn't be worth all the trouble and time to get there. It's a 3-1/2 hour train ride from Venice, not counting the time at each train station, etc.
Posted by
824 posts
While Rome is doable as a day-trip from Venice, I think it's a terrible idea. 8 hours on a train for a few hours of sightseeing just doesn't sound fun or wise.
As for day trips from Venice. Vicenza and Padua, in that order, make a very nice and easy self-guided day trip. I would head out fairly early in the morning for Vicenza - the fast trains take ~35 minutes and the regionals take about 65 minutes, but plan to have lunch in Padua.
In Vicenza, the Teatro Olimpico is a must-see. If you're into architecture, there is a wonderful museum dedicated to Andrea Palladio and there are several very fine churches. Take the bus (#2?) and then walk back to the train station via the historic quarter (~20 minutes).
In Padua, the Basilica of Saint Anthony (Basilica de San Antonio) and the Scrovegni Chapel (advance reservations only) are the top sights but there are many others. Padua is particularly easy to navigate as there is a tram that runs north/south with the historic district, Scrovegni Chapel and the main train stations all along its route.
Another option is to take a half- or full-day canal trip from Venice to Padua.
If traveling in the summer or early fall, there are escorted trips into the Dolomites which can be a welcome escape from the crowds (or heat).