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.
There are no longer any direct Intercity trains from Firenze/Florence to the heart of historical Venice/Venezia
Final Destination: Venezia S.L.
All of these trains also call at: Padova/Padua and Venezia Mestre*
*Take care not to leave the train at this station if you will be heading to the historical heart of Venice.
A variety of 'Frecce' trains are now used on this route, but the majority of departures are now by the Frecciarossa 100 trains; they are typically scheduled to be used on all departures after 14:00..
Monday to Friday: = 14 x trains per day
Saturday/Sunday = 13 x trains per day
Departures are hourly daily between 07:00 and 18:00.
If you're heading to historical Venezia/Venice - make sure to select Venezia S. Lucia as the 'Arrival' station and NOT Venezia Mestre.
If you will be using an agent, confirm that they have booked tickets to Venezia S. Lucia.
*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 Venezia/Venice 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.
Rail Pass Users:
If you will be travelling with a valid Eurail or InterRail pass, you will need to reserve prior to boarding these trains, either at the station (using a Trenitalia ticket machine or ticket desk) OR by booking them online.
How to book the rail pass reservations online is included on our guide to using rail passes in Italy.
Though rail pass users can save money by taking an Intercity train (except on Saturdays), though the routing is made complicated by the fact that there isn't an Intercity train from Firenze S.M.Novella station to Venezia S. Lucia station.
Therefore the required routing is:
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Italia Rail | from €24.90 | |
Trenitalia | from €24.90 | |
Trainline | from €24.90 | |
Save A Train | from €24.90 | |
Omio | from €24.90 |
These trains use the high speed line between Firenze and Bologna and this part of the route is mainly in tunnels.
There is no high speed line between Bologna and Venezia/Venice,so these trains spend most of this journey on a 'classic' railway.
It's not a scenic journey, but it ends with a flourish as the trains head out over the lagoon to reach the heart of historical Venice/Venezia
The best of the views are from the left of the train (when facing the direction of travel).
If you're sat on the left stay in your seat until the train pulls into the station.
Final Destination: Venezia S.L.
All trains also call at: Padova, Venezia Mestre*
*If you're heading to historical Venezia/Venice take not to leave the train here.
3 x trains per day
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.
Eurail and InterRail passes cannot be used on these Italo trains.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Italo | from €19 approx | |
Omio | from €19 approx | |
Trainline | from €19 approx | |
Happy rail | from €19 approx |
These trains take the same route as the Italo trains.
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