There isn't a high speed railway between Bologna and Venice/Venezia, but high speed Frecce and Italo trains which have travelled from destinations further south, provide the fastest express train services on this route.
Though as is typical, the faster a train, the more expensive it is likely to be; but the difference between journey times isn't particularly extreme on this route.
Two of the daily departures are the Frecciabianca trains, which will have travelled up from Lecce; and if you can book ahead; and the timings suit, these trains can be cheapest option of all.
However, if you will be booking tickets last minute at the station, taking the slowest Regionale Veloce trains will be a money saver.
Final Destination: Venezia S. Lucia
All trains also call at: Ferrara, Rovigo and Padova and Venezia Mestre; take care to remain on the train until it arrives in Venezia S. Lucia, for the historic heart of Venezia.
1 x train per hour
(There is a departure at 19:12 and then the final departure of the day leaves at 21:12).
Book early and save: No
Tickets will cost the same price if purchased at the same station immediately before departure (on these trains).
If you will be buying tickets at the station just before departure tickets for these Regionale Veloce (RGV/RV) trains will be around 50% cheaper than the price of the faster Frecce and Italo trains.
Rail pass users should target these trains and avoid the €10 rail pass reservation fee on the Frecce trains.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Trenitalia | from €12 approx |
If you want to make a spontaneous and highly recommended day trip by train from Bologna to Venezia, you will save more than €20 by taking these RV trains each way
And once you have your ticket, you can hop on any Regionale Veloce train in either direction, so they can be the best option on this route.
Rail pass users should target these Regionale Veloce trains for Bologna to Venice journeys.
There is little point in paying the €10 rail pass reservation fees on the Frecce trains, in order to save 25 mins; and rail passes aren't valid on the Italo trains.
This is a journey that saves the best to last stay in your seat as the train approaches Venezia S. Lucia, to make the most of the stunning views across the lagoon!
Final Destination: Venezia S.Lucia
These trains also call at: Padova and Venezia Mestre
If you're heading to historical Venezia/Venice take care not to leave the train at Venezia Mestre.
1 -2 x trains per hour
If you're heading to historical Venezia/Venice take care to book tickets to Venezia S.Lucia and NOT Venezia Mestre..
*Save by booking in advance: Yes, for more details on how to obtain the cheapest prices for Frecce trains see the guide to Italian rail tickets.
Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date; though the booking period will be typically be shorter when looking up journeys for travel after the second Sunday in December.
The express train service between Bologna and Venezia is provided by;
(1) These Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia
(2) Italo trains]which match the speed of the fastest Frecce trains
There are also slower Regionale Veloce (RGV/RV) trains if you will be booking tickets at the station on the day of travel, you'll save at least €10 if you take the RGV/RV trains.
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale 4 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are made available 5 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains - and Italo does not sell tickets for the Trenitalia trains.
If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce and Italo trains can be directly compared on Trainline or Omio; though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.
Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Trenitalia | from €14.90 | |
Trainline | from €14.90 | |
Omio | from €14.90 | |
Italia Rail | from €14.90 | |
Save A Train | from €14.90 |
Most of these trains NOW depart from the AV high speed station (binari/tracks 16 - 19) at Bologna Centrale station .
The trains which are typically scheduled to depart daily* at 14:18 and 20:18 are slower by around 10 mins because they make more station calls
But when looking up this journey, they can be cheaper than the faster Frecce trains.
*= These trains don't depart from the AV part of the station.
Final Destination: Venezia S. Lucia
All trains also call at: Padova and **Venezia Mestre**
If you're heading to historical Venezia/Venice take care not to leave the train at Venezia Mestre.
10 x trains per day
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open:: around 3 months ahead of the travel date
If you're heading to historical Venezia/Venice take care to book tickets to Venezia S.Lucia and NOT Venezia Mestre.
The express train service between Bologna and Venezia is provided by;
(1) These Italo trains
(2) Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia - which match the speed of these Italo trains
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale 6 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are made available 3 to 4 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains - and Italo does not sell tickets for the Trenitalia trains
If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce and Italo trains can be directly compared on Trainline or Omio; though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.
Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.
Rail passes are not valid on the Italo trains.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Italo | from €9 approx | |
Trainline | from €9 approx |
These trains now depart from the AV station (binari/tracks 16 - 19) at Bologna Centrale station.
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