Fastest way from Florence to Venice: Train (Trenitalia / Italo), about 2h 1min (from €35). Cheapest: Bus, from €6 (about 3h 20min – 3h 50min). Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on October 27, 2026): NTV, FlixBus, Itabus; main departure point: Florence Santa Maria Novella.
There are 3 ways to get from Florence to Venice
Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.
Companies selling this route on 12Go
Offers listed on 12Go on October 27, 2026 for a departure on November 17, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.
| Company | Mode | Departs from | From | Offers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NTV | Train | Florence Santa Maria Novella | €35 | 22 |
| Itabus | Bus | Florence Villa Constanza Bus Station | €6 | 3 |
| FlixBus | Bus | Villa Constanza Bus Station | €6 | 15 |
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Practical tips
High-speed fares generally rise as the departure date approaches, and the cheapest seats go first. Once your dates are fixed, book online early rather than at the station window, where last-minute tickets cost the most.
Venezia Santa Lucia is in the historic centre, right by the Grand Canal. Mestre is on the mainland and needs another short train or bus to reach the islands. Check the arrival station on your ticket before paying.
Both companies serve this route, and fares and available seats vary by departure. Look at both for your preferred time before booking, since one may offer a cheaper fare or a more convenient departure than the other.
If you're travelling on a tight budget and your schedule is open, the coach is the cheapest option. Check the exact boarding point on your booking confirmation, as it may differ from the train station.
Once you add transfers to the airport, security, baggage handling and the connection, a flight rarely beats the train between city centres. Keep it for cases where you already hold a flight ticket that includes this leg.
The journey experience
Florence to Venice is one of the easiest classic hops in Italy, and you can decide quickly how to do it. The train is the fast, comfortable choice, the coach is the budget choice, and a flight with a stopover rarely makes sense for this route. The comparison table on this page shows durations and price ranges side by side, so you can see the trade-offs at a glance.
The high-speed train, run by Trenitalia and Italo, connects the two city centres directly. You get comfortable seats, luggage racks, space to move around and no airport hassle. The coach is the cheapest way to travel and suits flexible, budget-minded travellers who don't mind a slower ride. A flight with a stopover is also listed, but airport transfers, check-in and the connection usually cancel out any time saved, so it mostly suits people already holding a flight ticket.
Your two real risks are paying too much for a last-minute train and ending up at the wrong station. Book the train ahead for better fares, and check that your ticket ends at Venezia Santa Lucia, in the historic centre, rather than Mestre on the mainland, unless your hotel is there. Compare, book online with instant confirmation, and you can relax.
Frequently asked questions — Florence → Venice
The coach is the cheapest option, from €6 and typically up to €7. The train starts from €35 and is typically up to €36 when booked ahead. A flight with a stopover starts from €53 and typically reaches €76. For most travellers, the train is the best balance of price and comfort.
The train is the fastest option, at about 2 h to 2 h 05. The coach takes roughly 3 h 20 to 3 h 50, and a flight with a stopover takes about 3 h to 3 h 40 in the air and in connection, before airport transfers are added. The train is usually the quickest door to door.
For most travellers the train is the best choice: it is the fastest, goes from centre to centre and is comfortable, with Trenitalia and Italo as operators. Choose the coach if your budget is tight and your schedule is flexible. A flight with a stopover rarely makes sense for this route.
Trains leave from Firenze Santa Maria Novella, the main station in central Florence. In Venice, make sure your ticket ends at Venezia Santa Lucia, in the historic centre, rather than Mestre on the mainland, unless your accommodation is there. The destination is shown clearly on your booking.
Yes, especially for the train. Cheaper fares tend to sell out first, and prices generally rise close to departure. In high season, popular times fill up quickly. The coach is often easier to book later, but reserving ahead online with instant confirmation is the safest way to secure your seat.
Why visit Venice?
- ✓ Glide down the Grand Canal on a vaporetto (line 1) past more than 170 palaces and the Rialto Bridge
- ✓ Explore St Mark's Basilica, its golden mosaics and the Doge's Palace, then climb the Campanile for lagoon views
- ✓ Take a boat to the islands: glassblowers on Murano, lace and colourful houses on Burano, Romanesque Torcello
- ✓ Get lost in Cannaregio and Dorsoduro, with cicchetti and a spritz in a bacino bar or traditional bacaro
- ✓ Admire Venetian art at the Gallerie dell'Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection
When to visit Venice?
HUMID SUBTROPICAL CLIMATE
April to June or September to October — mild temperatures, fewer crowds than summer and lower risk of acqua alta
What to do in Venice?
Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you
How long to visit Venice?
Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days. In 1 day, focus on St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace, the Rialto Bridge and a vaporetto ride along the Grand Canal. With 2-3 days, add Dorsoduro, Cannaregio and the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. Sleep in the historic centre or Cannaregio to avoid the day-tripper crowds, and visit major sights early morning or at sunset.
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