The 'Frecce' trains operated by Trenitalia share this route 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.
The Frecce and Italo trains are now the only option for taking a direct train from Venice to Florence.
Final Destination: Roma or Napoli
All trains also call at: Venezia Mestre and Bologna
The alternative Italo trains:
Less frequent Italo trains compete with Trenitalia's Frecce trains on this Venice to Florence route.
They match the speed of these Frecce trains and can be cheaper, but tickets for the Italo trains are not sold on the Trenitalia website.
Instead prices can be compared on the Omio or Trainline ticket booking websites; see the links below.
14 x trains per day
There is usually 1 x train per hour, but there is typically a gap between departures from 07:26 to 09:26
*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 train (AV) service between Venezia/Venice and Firenze/Florence is provided by:
(1) these Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia and
(2) alternative Italo 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.
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale 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.
So, 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 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.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Italia Rail | from €24.90 | |
Trenitalia | from €24.90 | |
Trainline | from €24.90 | |
Omio | from €24.90 | |
Save A Train | from €24.90 | |
OBB | from €24.90 |
There is no high speed line between and Venezia/Venice and Bologna, but these trains travel up to 280 km/h on the high speed line between Bologna and Firenze; virtually all of which is in tunnels.
It's not a scenic journey, but it starts with a flourish as the trains head out over the lagoon from the heart of historical Venice/Venezia.
The best of the views are from the right of the train, when facing the direction of travel.
This video was taken from a train travelling in the opposite direction.
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open:: around 3 months ahead of the travel date
The high speed (AV) train service between Venice/Venezia and Florence/Firenze is provided by
(1) these Italo trains
(2) Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale around 6 months in advance, but the 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.
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 on with Trainline or Omio, though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.
Rail passes are not valid on the Italo trains
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Italo | from €19 approx | |
Omio | from €19 approx | |
Trainline | from €19 approx | |
Happy rail | from €19 approx |
Final Destination: Roma or Napoli
All trains also call at: Venezia Mestre and Bologna
These Italo trains, compete with Trenitalia's more frequent service of Frecce trains on this Venice to Florence route.
They can be cheaper than the Frecce trains, but as the Trenitalia website doesn't sell tickets for these Italo trains, you can compare prices on either the Omio or Trainline websites.
They match the speed of those Frecce trains as they also use the high speed line between Bologna and Firenze.
There is no high speed line between and Venezia/Venice and Bologna.
These Italo trains take the same route as the Frecce trains,
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