Firenze / Florence to Padova / Padua by train

How to travel by train from Florence to Padua

The 'Frecce' trains operated by Trenitalia share the route, which is high speed between Firenze and Bologna, with Italo trains.
They have similar speeds, so the differences between the two services are to do with the on-board experiences, check out the 'Trains' guides below; and the fact that tickets for the Italo trains and Frecce trains can be purchased from different online booking agents - it's a route on which you can save by booking in advance.

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Routes

Option 1: taking the Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia

Travel Information

Final Destination: Venezia or Trieste or Udine

The alternative train journey options:

(1) Italo trains operated by NTV, compete with Trenitalia's Frecce trains on this route.
They're less frequent, but can be cheaper, though tickets for those trains are not sold by Trenitalia.

(2) There is also daily Intercity train from Firenze to Padua, but it departs from Firenze Rifredi daily at 18:45; a connecting train (heading to Livorno) departs from Firenze S.M.Novella at 18:28.
Rail pass users can avoid the €10 rail pass reservation fee charged on the Frecce trains by taking this train instead.

1 x train per hour

Tickets

*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 high speed (AV) train service between Firenze/Florence and Padova/Padua is provided by;

(1) these Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia and
(2) alternative Italo trains

Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed up to 6 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are typically made available around 3 to 4 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains - and Italo does not sell tickets for the Trenitalia trains.

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.

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 with Trainline or Omio, though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Italia Rail from €19.90

Italia Rail Guide

Italiarail lives up to its name by selling tickets for rail journeys within Italy and the core feature of its service is that it is primarily designed to be used by international visitors to Italy.
So the English translations of place names are used when looking up journeys and the terms and conditions for using each type of ticket are clearly explained.
It also clearly points out the additional costs of upgrading to other classes and types of tickets while spelling out the additional benefits of doing so.
Though Italiarail will charge a booking fee, typically of around €3.

The Early Bird service

Italiarail has launched an 'early bird' pre-booking service for journeys by Frecce trains.
Tickets can be booked up to a year ahead of travel at a flat-rate price per route, before the tickets have been released for sale by Trenitalia.
If when they are placed on sale, the price is cheaper than what you have already paid to Italiarail, it will automatically refund the price difference.
Conversely, if the price is more expensive, you won't be charged the price difference.
You can also have the peace of mind of securing your seat(s) on the Frecce train(s) when you are first planning a trip.
If before the tickets are placed on sale, you decide to change your plans, you can request a refund; but once the tickets are released for sale, you will then be bound by the terms and conditions of the ticket(s) you have booked.

Trenitalia from €19.90

Trenitalia Guide

Trenitlalia is the national rail operator in Italy and in addition to its cheaper types of ticket; it also typically offers other discounts available to non-Italians, which include:

  • Group Offers, provides for a discount of up to 50% when 3-5 Adults travel together.
  • Family Offer for when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 11 and under.
  • The Children Free Offer is available for journeys by Frecce trains, when groups of 2 - 5 people are travelling together and at least one of the party is a aged 15 and under.
    Those aged 15 and under travel for free, but the Adults will need to purchase full price 'Base' tickets.
Trainline from €19.90

Trainline Guide

Omio from €19.90

Omio Guide

Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.

The three key advantages of using Omio are

  • it offers prices in multiple currencies
  • it usually offers price comparison with other modes of travel including flights and buses
  • when visiting Europe, you can book journeys in multiple countries in one transaction.

The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.

On this journey

Journey Features

Scenic - NoHigh Speed (partial journey)

These trains travel at more than 280 km/h between Firenze and Bologna, but this part of the route is mainly in tunnels.

There is no high speed line between Bologna and Padua, so these trains spend most of this journey on a 'classic' line.

Option 2: taking the Italo trains

Travel Information

Final Destination: Venezia S.L. or Trieste or Udine

The first Italo train of the day isn't scheduled to depart from Firenze S.M.Novella until 12:21

5 x trains per day

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open:: around 3 months ahead of the travel date

The high speed (AV) train service between Firenze/Florence and Venezia/Venice is provided by;

(1) these Italo trains
(2) More frequent Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia

Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale around 6 months in advance, but these Italo train tickets are made available around 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.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Italo from €15 approx

Italo Guide

Omio from €15 approx (in £s)

Omio Guide

Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.

The three key advantages of using Omio are

  • it offers prices in multiple currencies
  • it usually offers price comparison with other modes of travel including flights and buses
  • when visiting Europe, you can book journeys in multiple countries in one transaction.

The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.

Trainline from €15 approx

Trainline Guide

On this journey

Journey Features

Scenic - NoHigh Speed (partial journey)

These trains take the same route as the Frecce trains.

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