See Also
- How to Purchase Train Tickets in Italy
- Guide to Milano Centrale Train Station
- Transport Around Milan
- Places of accommodation in Milan
- Where to Reside in Venice
The 166-mile rail line connecting Venice and Milan is one of Italy`s most frequented routes. Over a hundred high-speed trains depart daily from Venice bound for Milan, making scheduling a trip comparatively effortless (though exiting Venice itself is never simple). Navigating the waterways to arrive at the station on schedule can be tricky, so it is wise to study in advance so you`ll understand what to anticipate and your departure can be as stress-free as possible.
• Note: A site for booking Italy train tickets online in advance.
What to Know about the Venice Train Station
The center part of Venice is served by the Santa Lucia train station, named after the church and convent that formerly occupied the land. Though modest in size, it sees quite substantial traffic – 30 million passengers pass through annually. Trains reach the station by crossing a short section of the Adriatic Sea via a bridge. The building takes a distinctly contemporary design that stands out against the rest of Venice`s more historically preserving architecture, which at least makes it readily identifiable
Most of the area surrounding the building where travelers gather and say farewells, or queue for water transportation and taxis along the Grand Canal is outdoors. Be aware that stairs lead to the main entrance, so if wheelchair or stroller access is needed (or a significant amount of wheeled luggage), a ramped side entrance is also available.
Automated ticket kiosks are inside the station along with a Biglieterria (ticket office) where actual people can guide you through the ticket purchasing process (prepare to wait in line for these). A tourist info booth is also available plus a currency exchange if more euros are needed before heading to Milan.
Extensive electronic signs show arrival and departure times in the central ticketing area on the main level as well as near the primary train “shed” from which most rail lines leave (there`s an additional smaller shed too for regional trains, but a trip to Milan would likely use the centrally located one for high-speed trains). Overall, the station is fairly navigable, and so despite the normal train station chaos, it’s relatively simple to get around.
Visitors to the train station in the area should remain watchful, as some may seek to take advantage of unaware tourists. Attendees should keep a close watch on bags at all times and be cognizant of one`s surroundings when using ticketing machines. It is important to note that Venice has another rail station besides Santa Lucia that serves the mainland just offshore, Miestre. If departing from there instead of the historical city area, check the ItaliaRail website for more details.
How do I get to Santa Lucia (Venice) station?
Venice has no cars or roads. Your only choices to get to the station are by boat or on foot. It’s a charming layout for a city, but it also necessitates some planning.
The public water taxi, also known as a vaporetto, is commonly the means of travel chosen by most visitors. Not only is it quite affordable (usually around €7.50 depending on the time of day and volume of passengers) but it`s also practical and convenient, with frequent departures from numerous strategic points along the Grand Canal that runs throughout the center of old Venice. Tickets can be bought at most stops along the way, and advance tickets are available ahead of time at several major hubs (such as the Rialto Bridge). Or, save time and hassle by purchasing online ahead of traveling. The entire journey takes roughly 45 minutes (or less based on one`s location relative to the station). There are a few alternative routes that follow the canal as well as some that surround the exterior of Venice, though most sightseers headed for the train station will end up on either Canal Route Number 2 or the N route (which travels the same path except at night and skips the Giardini stop).
An alternative is taking a private water taxi. They are rather more expensive, but if you are portion of a group (most private water taxis can seat 6 to 10 people) or interested in sharing a ride with fellow travelers, the cost becomes more reasonable.
Finally, there’s the option to travel on foot. Many popular locations in Venice, including the Jewish ghetto in the north end and the tangle of alleys in the San Polo area are not too far a walk if you’ve packed lightly, or are traveling to Milan for only a day or two before returning.
How early do I need to arrive?
While Santa Lucia is fairly small and manageable, Venice can be confusing to navigate and there is often some uncertainty at the station. If you already have your ticket, you`re probably safe to plan on arriving 30 minutes before your train departs to figure out which platform your train will be leaving from and whether there are any delays or other complications.
Without a ticket in advance, you`ll want to arrive earlier to allow enough time to understand the ticket purchasing process, which I`ll describe more below. The high-speed rail trip from Venice to Milan takes just under three hours, so planning your arrival time in Milan accordingly is advised.
How to Buy a train ticket from Venice to Milan
Over a hundred trains leave Venice for Milan each day, and tickets are often easily available at the station on the date of departure. Those traveling during peak travel times (summer, holidays, and Milan fashion weeks) on a weekday morning when travel tends to be busier would do well to book online in advance. ItaliaRail.com provides a complete schedule and straightforward purchasing options for both the higher-speed Alto Velocità (AV) trains as well as the slower regional trains if you are not hurried (or aiming to spend a bit less). You may also find less expensive choices reserving ahead than on the actual travel date, though this varies based on demand.
When selecting a train online, be certain to look carefully to ensure the destination is “Milan Centrale,” Milan’s central train station, and that your point of departure is Santa Lucia (or Miestre). Some trains travel directly while others stop in other towns along the way, but you can generally differentiate by longer travel times. Also note that you can toggle between standard and first-class pricing options, and must select to view slower/non-direct train selections. After purchasing online, simply show the platform ticket agent the ticket number displayed on your mobile device; ItaliaRail will email this information to you.
Should you select buying your tickets at the station, navigating the self-service machines for English speakers is reasonably straightforward. There are different kiosks for various ticketing services, but most of the ones in Santa Lucia are from Trenitalia, providing tickets for the state-run Frecciarossa lines. There are also multiple kiosks for Italo, a privately-operated transportation line with its own separate ticketing system. Both services and kiosk types are pretty much equivalent. Again, you will want to ensure that your selected route leaves from Santa Lucia station in Venice and arrives at Milan Centrale station.
The machine will then provide you with a paper ticket to show the ticket agent when passing through the gate on the way to the train platform.
If travelers utilizing the machines encounter any issues along the way and require assistance, sometimes a handful of service agents wearing uniforms associated with Trenitalia or Italo can provide help, though they may only be present during peak travel periods. Riders can also head to one of the ticket purchasing counters and obtain their ticket directly from a human representative (be prepared for a line forming). If an individual approaches while tickets are being acquired offering to “help” but is NOT wearing a uniform, it is best to politely decline with “no grazie” and disregard them.
There are machines around the station prompting you to “validate” your ticket, but you only need to validate for the regional trains. If you are on Italo or the Trenitalia/Frecciarossa lines and you purchased your ticket from either the kiosks or in advance online, your ticket is already valid so you don’t need to bother.
A few other important notes:
- Travelers would reserve specific seats on trains, but afterwards should double check the assigned car and seat number versus their selection since the system doesn`t update in real time. So the designated spot may NOT match what one picked, though it ought to be nearby.
- Ticket kiosks only permit using cards with a PIN number. Therefore in numerous cases you cannot use your credit card. You’ll need to use a debit card, or a credit card linked to a PIN, to purchase your ticket.
- On Trenitalia, children under four years old travel free with no ticket required, while children under 15 are permitted to travel at a reduced rate.
How do I figure out what platform my train is on?
After obtaining your ticket, you’ll see the scheduled train number, departure time, and destination indicated on the front. Throughout the station, there are large display boards which show planned departures, arrivals and points of origin, train platform numbers, and updates on delays. Compare the information on your ticket with the numbers on the board, and proceed accordingly.
Utilizing this up-to-the-minute (usually) details, you’ll be able to determine all you need to know about your train, like the platform from which your train will depart. The platforms are numbered and exhibited in the railway departure area by each set of tracks.
After arriving at your station, another sign there includes info about your train; this should align with the details on the signs elsewhere in the station, but may have slightly more updated information.
What services and food options are available at the station?
Despite its small size compared to stations in larger cities, Santa Lucia still offers travelers in need of sustenance or desiring to shop a number of choices. Around 30 stores are inside the station, mostly providing fashionable apparel and of course mementos for those who neglected to stock up during their visit.
For nourishment options, there are approximately a dozen alternatives available, which generally offer small sandwiches and pizzas. Those seeking something more filling should allot themselves a little extra time if feasible and take advantage of the numerous dining establishments within a near 10-minute stroll of the front entrance to the station.
The Santa Lucia website has more details on what’s around and where to find it; be sure to check there for additional information.
