Read real reviews from real users
Planning to take the train from Milan to Venice? Start your journey with us.
The train from Milan to Venice usually takes 3h 10m, but can take just 2h 12m on the fastest services. You'll be travelling direct on this route with either Trenitalia or Italo. Both train companies offer elite levels of comfort, with leather seats and free WiFi as standard. Hop on board an ultra-modern high-speed Frecciarossa train and enjoy comfortable seating, free WiFi, and plenty of space for luggage as standard. Upgrade to Frecciarossa's Executive Class to travel in maximum comfort, enjoying luxury reclining leather seats and a meal served to your seat as you cross the Venetian Lagoon.
As you leave Venezia Santa Lucia station, take a moment to appreciate the view of the Grand Canal, which runs directly opposite the station exit. Venice’s top sights – such as the magnificent Rialto Bridge and Saint Mark’s Basilica – are within walking distance. Or, if you’re feeling suitably Venetian, hail a water taxi!
Why not start a search for cheap train tickets from Milan to Venice with us today? If you want to find out more, keep reading for FAQs and money-saving tips.
First train | 00:22 | |
---|---|---|
Last train | 23:33 | |
Departure station | Milan | |
Arrival station | Venice | |
Journey time | From 2h 13m | |
Distance | 152 miles (245 km) | |
Frequency | 50 trains per day | |
Changes | Direct trains available | |
Price | From £11.40 | |
Train and bus operators | Itabus, BlaBlaCar Bus, Trenitalia, Flixbus, Italo |
Frecciarossa trains are Trenitalia's flagship high-speed trains, capable of reaching speeds of up to 186 mph (300 km/h). The "red arrow" trains are distinguished by their comfort, their ultra-modern design and their reduced impact on the environment. All Frecciarossa trains are equipped with a food carriage, free WiFi connection and 4 levels of service – Standard, Premium (with drinks and welcome snacks served on arrival, as well as a morning newspaper), Business (with drinks and snacks, morning newspaper and larger seats) and Executive (with Fast Track, access to FrecciaClub lounges in selected stations, and gourmet meals served to your seat). You can now also travel with Frecciarossa between Milan and Paris via Turin, Modane and Chambéry. The new Frecciarossa trains have 4 levels of service – Standard, Business, Executive and Meeting Room – and two types of carriage: Silence Area, for those who want to travel in total tranquillity, and Allegro Area, for those who want to chat with their fellow passengers.
Italo is a high-speed train operator that runs services between many of the major cities across Italy. All Italo trains are modern, air conditioned, and have free WiFi available for all travellers. There are four comfort classes, or "ambiances", as Italo like to call them – Smart (the cheapest price), Comfort (with wider seats and extra legroom), Prima (with a welcome selection of food and drink, fast track boarding and extra space), and Executive Club (with all Prima services, extra-wide seats, access to Italo Club lounges and personal entertainment screens at your seat).
Trenitalia is the national railway company of Italy, with a fleet including high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca), Intercity and Intercity night trains and regional trains. Trenitalia offers discounts and special promotions on selected routes, two types of discounted tickets for young people under 30 and people over 60.
With Frecciarossa Standard, you’ll enjoy high-quality services including eco-leather reclining seats, folding tables and free WiFi, but at a cheaper price.
Providing all the perks of First Class for the price of Second Class, Frecciarossa Premium offers more legroom and luggage space, as well as a welcome service offering a complimentary sweet or salty snack and drink. You can also order your meal via the EasyBistrò paid service available on board.
If you’re travelling for work, Frecciarossa Business is the ideal option for you – it offers more legroom, glass dividers for more privacy, EasyBistrò meal service and a private 4-seat compartment called Salottino. A free foodbox containing a fresh product, a snack and a drink is also served to your seat.
Frecciarossa Executive can accommodate up to 10 single armchairs and offers plenty of legroom, wider reclining leather seats, free entry to FRECCIALounge at the main train stations, an exclusive open bar and Michelin-starred menu by the renowned Italian TV chef Carlo Cracco.
Although Smart is Italo’s standard and cheapest class, you won’t miss out on the fantastic service! This class provides you with the following amenities:
In addition to all the perks of Italo Smart, Italo Prima also provides a little extra, such as a dedicated Fast Track service and a welcome service.
If you fancy travelling in style, upgrade to Italo Club Executive and enjoy dedicated catering service, personal screens, and free entry to Italo Club Lounge.
From spacious armchairs to at-seat power sockets and reading lights, you’ve got everything you need to enjoy your journey in EuroCity's Second Class.
In addition to all the services available in Second Class, you’ll get to enjoy extra-wide and comfier seats, more legroom, and an at-seat catering service in EuroCity’s First Class:
If you need to request special assistance, you can call: the toll-free number 800 90 60 60, which can be reached from a landline in Italy, or the national number +3902323232 which can be reached from a landline or mobile, even from abroad (international calling charges may apply).
Air-conditioning is available on board. You can also charge your devices thanks to the power sockets you can find at your seat.
While there’s no bar or restaurant carriage on Italo trains, you can use the vending machines on board to get snacks and drinks during your journey.
Priority seats for passengers with reduced mobility are available on Italo trains. They’re usually located next to an accessible toilet. All accessible toilets also have tactile and Braille signs.
Air-conditioning is available on all Italo trains, as well as at-seat power sockets.
Free WiFi is available on Eurocity Giruno trains.
Children under 4 can travel for free if they're accompanied by an adult and don't occupy a seat.
Not all Eurocity trains allow you to take your bike on board – you’ll need to check in advance if you can travel with your bike. If that’s the case, you’ll need to buy a ticket and book your bike space before departure at the ticket office.
Guide and assistance dogs can travel for free and don't need a ticket.
All of Trenitalia’s Eurocity trains offer dedicated spaces to passengers with disabilities.
A quiet area (or Area Silenzio) is available on all Eurocity Giruno trains.
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Milan to Venice by booking early.§
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
Frecciarossa and Italo direct high-speed trains depart from Milan Central and Milano Porta Garibaldi stations and arrive at Venezia Mestre and Venezia Santa Lucia stations.
You can easily reach Milan Central station with one of the following modes of ATM transport:
You can get to Milan Central station from Malpensa Airport with the fast regional Malpensa Express train, from Linate Airport with Air Bus and from Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport with Orio Shuttle bus services.
One of the following modes of transport will take you to Milano Porta Garibaldi station:
Waiting for your train has never been so relaxing! Both Frecciarossa and Italo welcome you in dedicated First Class Lounges with everything you need to sit back and relax before you travel.
You can get free access to the FRECCIALounge at Milan Central station if you have a CartaFRECCIA Oro or Platino, an Executive or Salottino ticket or a carnet 10 viaggi for Business or Executive Class (a book of single tickets valid for 10 journeys). Here you’ll get to enjoy a Working Area with power sockets and free WiFi, as well as a Bistrot Area offering a wide range of snacks and drinks.
If you have one of Trenitalia’s loyalty cards such as CartaFRECCIA Platino, CartaFRECCIA Oro or CartaFRECCIA Argento or you have a ticket to travel in Frecciarossa Executive or Business Class on Frecciarossa 1000, you can use Frecciarossa’s Fast Track service at gate E in Milan Central station to board your train.
Italo Club Lounges are for Club Executive passengers, as well Italo Più Privilege and Platinum holders and Italo Più Corporate Privilege and Corporate Platinum holders. You’ll find the following amenities at the Lounge in Milan Central station:
This service is for Prima or Club Executive ticket holders, as well as Italo Più Premium, Privilege, Platinum and Italo Più Corporate holders. You can make use of the free Fast Track service at Gate C in Milan Central station.
Looking for luxury? Why not travel First Class on one of Trenitalia’s Frecce trains?
On Frecciarossa trains, choose Business or Executive when booking to benefit from Trenitalia’s First Class offer. For starters, you’ll be greeted on board with a welcome service and a welcome drink. First Class also means more spacious carriages, solo seats and an at-seat meal service. Plus, you’ll be able to access the FrecciaLounge at Italy’s main train stations, such as Roma Termini and Milano Centrale.
On Frecciabianca and Frecciargento trains, go First Class and you’ll get a welcome service when you get on the train, including a welcome drink. Then, once you’re on board, you can enjoy real leather seats and more legroom.
When travelling from Milan to Venice, Frecciarossa and Italo trains call at the following stations:
When getting a train from Milan to Venice, you may arrive at Venezia Santa Lucia station, which is a 20-minute walk from the renowned Rialto Bridge, in the heart of the city. Trains departing from Milan may also stop at Venezia Mestre station on the mainland. From here, you can hop on public transport towards Venezia Santa Lucia station.
Although Venice is a small city and can be visited on foot, you can still make use of the public transport available. Keep reading for more details.
Taking the bus in Venice
Even if tourists and locals don’t usually need to take a bus to get around the city centre, they are sometimes necessary to get to other destinations. For example, if you’re travelling to Venice Airport, you can take bus line 5 from Piazzale Roma, which is only a few minutes away from Venezia Santa Lucia station.
As most of the public transport on the island of Venice is waterborne, urban buses are the least used means of transport.
Taking the water bus in Venice
Water buses, also known as vaporetti in Italian, replace the normal urban buses and are used to get around the heart of the city via its canals. The most useful water bus lines for tourists are the following:
Boasting picturesque canals and bridges, medieval churches and palaces, there’s so much to discover in beautiful Venice! To help you narrow it down, here are some ideas for things to see and do in Venice: