Florence to Venice Bus from €6, Train from €15

Florence to Venice is one of the most popular routes in Italy — two of the country's most visited cities, roughly 280 km apart. The fastest option is the high-speed train via Bologna (around 2 hours), but there are cheaper alternatives. This guide covers every option with real prices so you can choose what works for your schedule and budget.

Florence to Venice: all options compared

Train from Florence to Venice

Most high-speed trains from Florence to Venice require a change at Bologna Centrale — but the change is fast (usually 10–15 minutes), on the same platform level, and covered by a single ticket. Trenitalia and Italo both operate this corridor. Book through their sites and select "Florence Santa Maria Novella → Venice Santa Lucia" — the connection at Bologna is automatic.

There are also slower Frecciabianca trains that run direct Florence → Venice without changing, taking about 2h 10m. These often have lower base fares but fewer departures than the Frecciarossa connection via Bologna.

Important: Most trains terminate at Venezia Santa Lucia — the main Venice station, right on the Grand Canal. Some regional services stop only atVenezia Mestre on the mainland, which requires a 10-minute local train to reach the island. Check your ticket carefully.

Bus from Florence to Venice

FlixBus and Itabus run coaches from Florence to Venice, typically departing from Piazzale Montelungo near Santa Maria Novella station. The journey takes 4–5 hours depending on the route and traffic. Buses arrive at Venezia Mestre (mainland), from where a short train or local bus runs to Venice island.

When to take the bus: If you have a flexible schedule and can book 2–3 weeks ahead, bus fares of €15–20 make it a genuine alternative to the €25–35 train. It's not the fastest option, but for overnight travelers or those with time to spare, it works well.

Station guide: Florence and Venice

Booking tips for Florence to Venice

1. Book at least 2–3 weeks ahead for the best train fares — Super Economy tickets start at €17 but sell out fast for popular dates
2. Avoid booking the cheapest train if it stops at Venezia Mestre — you'll pay extra for the connection to the island
3. Summer (June–August) and Carnival weekend (February) are peak periods — prices double and trains fill quickly
4. If you book bus, confirm the Venice arrival point: some buses stop at Mestre bus station, not at the ferry terminals
5. For groups of 3+, a private transfer or car rental may match the train price while offering door-to-door convenience

What to expect on the journey

The Frecciarossa or Italo train from Florence to Venice via Bologna is a smooth ride through Emilia-Romagna and the Veneto plains. The change at Bologna Centrale is the main thing to know: the station is large but well-signposted. Your connecting train will be on a nearby platform — your ticket shows the platform number, and departure boards update 30 minutes before.

Arriving at Venice Santa Lucia, you step off the train directly onto the edge of the Grand Canal. It's one of the most dramatic station exits in Europe. From the steps, you can see the Santa Croce sestiere and catch a vaporetto Line 1 or 2 along the Grand Canal to reach your accommodation.