Nowhere in Italy is celebrated with as many romantic epithets as Venice. “La Serenissima,” “City of Bridges,” and “Queen of the Adriatic,” to name a few. Yet, no evocative nickname fully captures the magic of this multifaceted island city in the Venetian Lagoon.
If you’re traveling from the Italian capital, high-speed Rome to Venice trains are the way to go. Comfortable and convenient, there is no better way to arrive in the heart of La Dominante. We cover everything you need to know about this rail journey to one of Italy’s most celebrated destinations.
Rome to Venice by High-Speed Train
Traveling from Rome to Venice by train is an uncomplicated journey on some of Italy’s finest high-speed trains.
Gifting travelers with competitive choices, the national rail operator, Trenitalia, and private operator, Italo, run frequent services. Most journeys take around 4 hours from Roma Termini to Venezia Santa Lucia in the center of the “City of Canals” (see, no end of nicknames.) Quicker journeys can be made by boarding in Roma Tiburtina and alighting at Venezia Mestre.
The most economical train tickets from Rome to Venice are with Italo.
Book early, and you can find limited availability eXtra MAGIC fares for just €19.90. They are non-refundable and disappear quickly, but you won’t find cheaper fares.
There are other advantages to using Italo’s Rome to Venice trains. Itinerary planners will appreciate the simple timetable, with trains departing at the same time hourly from Roma Termini (or Roma Tiburtina, the next stop along the route.)
Italotrains are among the smartest on the Italian rail network, similar to Trenitalia’s premium Frecciarossa trains.
There are four ticket classes on Italo trains. All include reclining faux-leather seats, free WiFi, and charging points. Luggage space is ample in every carriage, with vending machines serving tolerable coffee and snacks.
Upgrade from Smart to Prima for wider seats and complimentary refreshments.
Step up to Business Executive for even roomier seats, sandwiches, and an alcoholic tipple from the drinks trolley. You also gain entry to the Italo Lounge in Roma Termini and Venezia Santa Lucia.
The Italo Lounge is a quiet and modern space where you can fill up on hot and cold drinks, snacks, and an endless supply of that Italian essential, pizza. Add this option to any ticket for €10.
If your pockets are deep, you might consider the deluxe Salotto class. Fares start at €150 and bag you individual seating, fast-track boarding, and all the trimmings you’d expect at that price.
Italo tickets are available in four grades, each with improved flexibility and refund options. Early booking is key to finding the best prices, although the cheapest fares are the least flexible. Add cancelation insurance for €1.50 if your plans are fluid.
Every Italo Rome to Venice high-speed train stops at Venezia Mestre. Every second service continues to Venezia Santa Lucia. There are several stops before Venice, including Bologna and Florence. Handy if you’re planning an extended rail odyssey through Tuscany.
Alternative services on Trenitalia are marginally less persuasive than Italo trains, primarily because fares are a touch higher. So, why choose Trenitalia?
For the budget-conscious, it pays to compare the competing services. Frecciarossa Rome to Venice high-speed trains follow an identical route from Roma Termini to Venezia Santa Lucia. Journey times are the same, and fares are typically just a few Euros more than Italo. Sometimes, they’re cheaper.
On this route, Trenitalia operate Frecciarossa and Frecciarossa 1000 trains, the crème de la crème of Italian rail. Generally, there are four classes similar to Italo’s offering: Standard, Premium, Business, and Executive.
You can expect reclining seats, plenty of luggage space, and free WiFi in all carriages. A café-bar, the FRECCIABistrò, is available.
Like Italo, upgrades offer more spacious seating and complimentary snacks and drinks. You can also benefit from USB charging points at your seat in the three higher classes. If you crave a quiet journey, look for tickets marked “Silenzio” in business class.
Upgrades can be inexpensive. Book as early as possible to treat yourself without hurting your wallet.
1-2 Trenitalia services depart hourly from Roma Termini and Roma Tiburtina to Venezia Santa Lucia. Stops are made at Florence, Bologna, Ferrara, Padova, and Venezia Mestre.
Once booked, you can look forward to relaxing on some of the slickest trains in Europe and enjoying the views as you glide through the sublime Tuscan countryside and the Apennine mountains. Buon viaggio!
Rome to Venice by High-Speed Train Details
- Prices:
- Trenitalia Special Frecce high-speed fares from Roma Termini to Venezia Santa Lucia start from €27.90. These discount fares have limited availability and must be booked at least 5 days before travel (up to 4 months ahead.)
- Super Economy tickets on high-speed Trenitalia services cost from €49.90. ‘Economy’ and ‘Base’ booked within 48 hours of travel are considerably more expensive.
- The Rome to Venice train cost with Italo starts from €19.90 (eXtra MAGIC.) Standard Low Cost fares with Italo start from €39.90. Italo sells cancellation insurance for €1.50 (refund 80% of your ticket cost if canceling up to 3 days before travel.) Access to the Italo Lounge can be added for a further €10.
- Frequency: 1-2 Trenitalia trains travel from Rome to Venice hourly. One Italo train also departs hourly.
- Duration: The typical Rome to Venice train time on high-speed services is 4 hours. The fastest service is with Trenitalia to Venezia Mestre, which skips some stops and takes just 3h 26 minutes.
Rome to Venice Day Trip by Train
For many visitors to Italy, Venice is unmissable. 400 bridges, 117 islands, singing gondoliers, exceptional cuisine, extraordinary architecture, and an absorbing history draw millions of visitors onto its narrow streets.
If you want to join the fun but vacation time is limited, you might question if a day trip from Rome to Venice is workable.
The short answer is yes. But only if you’re happy spending around 8 hours on trains. Here’s how you can make it work.
The first step to arranging a Rome to Venice day trip is booking an early departure from Roma Termini or Roma Tiburtina. The earliest Trenitalia service departs at 06:35; an Italo service departs at 06:55. Services with both operators depart hourly throughout the morning. Most journeys take 4 hours.
Book direct trains to Venezia Santa Lucia to maximize your time. The station backs onto the Grand Canal, with water taxis outside the station to kickstart your Venetian adventure.
If you must head to Venezia Mestre outside the lagoon, hop on a fixed-priced Regionale train to Venezia Santa Lucia (no pre-booking required.)
For the return journey, opt for Trenitalia as they have trains departing until 19:26. The last Italo train departs Venice at 17:55. However, you might want to avoid booking the last return train as insurance against the risks of a canceled train.
As you can see, a day trip is plausible. And if you don’t mind waking before the rooster, you can squeeze in over 8 hours exploring Venice.
Even a few hours in the city is enough time to visit several places of interest.
Saint Mark’s Square and Basilica are a 30-minute walk from Santa Lucia station. You can detour via the magnificent Rialto Bridge or ferry across the waterway. Other unmissable landmarks like the Bridge of Sighs and Doge’s Palace are a stone’s throw from the square.
You might even have time to sample signature Venetian dishes like the tapas-style cicchetti or risi e bisi. Budget extra time to swerve notoriously overpriced restaurants along the main tourist paths.
As you will likely reach Rome as restaurants close, the onboard café-bar is another compelling reason to return on Trenitalia Frecciarossa trains.
With vending machines only on Italo trains, consider upgrading to Club Executive for complimentary sandwiches. For a more satisfying experience, access the Italo Lounge and fill up on pizza and other carbs before boarding.
Alternatively, grab some goodies before boarding. The Mercato di Rialto near Rialto Bridge is open until 3pm. It’s a vibrant place to fill a backpack of Venetian delights for the journey home.
A Rome to Venice day trip is demanding. The good news is that all high-speed trains on this route are comfortable enough to steal some shuteye before and after haring around “The Floating City.” Although you might find yourself lost in memories while conjuring up new monikers for Italy’s most romantic city.
Rome to Venice Day Trip by Train Details
- Prices:
- Discount single fares with Trenitalia (Special Frecce) cost from €27.90, increasing to €49.90 for standard Super Economy fares. Book up to 4 months and no later than 5 days before travel. Otherwise, higher-priced Economy and Base fares apply.
- Discount Italo fares (eXtra MAGIC) from €19.90. Standard Low Cost fares start at €39.90.
- Italo offers cancellation insurance for €1.50 (refund 80% of your ticket cost when canceling up to 3 days before travel.) Access to the Italo Lounge can be added for a further €10.
- NOTE: You must buy two single tickets. Mix operators to find the best value and most convenient departure times.
- Frequency: There are at least two hourly services from Roma Termini to Venezia Santa Lucia with Trenitalia and Italo. Departure frequency is the same for the return journey. The latest departure from Venice is 19:26 with Trenitalia (17:55 on Italo.)
- Duration: The typical Rome to Venice train time is between 3 h 59 mins and 4 h 20 mins in either direction, so budget at least 8 hours for the round journey.
Rome to Venice by Train FAQ
How far is Rome to Venice by train?
The train ride from Rome to Venice covers 330 miles (531 km). Most high-speed trains complete the journey in 4 hours.
How long is the train ride from Rome to Venice?
Most high-speed Rome to Venice trains take 3 h 59 mins to 4 h 20 min. The fastest train from Rome to Venice is with Trenitalia and takes 3 h 26 mins, stopping in Venezia Mestre only.
How much does the Rome to Venice train cost?
The Rome to Venice train price varies depending on the operator, ticket flexibility, and when you book. The cheapest fares are discount Italo (eXtra MAGIC) tickets from €19.90. Trenitalia discount fares (Special Frecce) start from €27.90.
Standard ‘Low Cost’ fares with Italo start from €39.90. ‘Super Economy’ fares with Trenitalia cost from €34.90.
Fares rise as seats are sold. Within 5 days of travel, low-cost fares are replaced by standard fares. Book ahead for the best value.
Can I take a day trip from Rome to Venice by train?
Yes – day trips from Rome to Venice are possible. Expect to spend 8 hours on trains roundtrip. That will allow up to 8 hours for exploring Venice.