Getting from Rome to Venice: stress-free routes, key pit stops, and the very best travel times


Rome is a blend of historical wonders and modern delights, from sights like the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain to mouth-watering Roman dishes.
After a jam-packed adventure in Rome’s Centro Storico, rejuvenate yourself by heading to the tranquil Venetian Lagoon and its tiny islands. Featuring winding canals and grand Renaissance palaces, there’s no place as romantic and dreamy as Venice. To enjoy the best of both worlds, hop on a car, train, bus, or plane—you can easily travel between Rome and Venice as the two cities are only 245 miles apart.
Rome to Venice by car

Best for: Sightseeing
Fancy a road trip? Driving from Rome to Venice will take you about five and a half hours if you take the quickest route on the autostrade (highway) without making any stops. However, we definitely recommend enjoying the Tuscan countryside along the way.
Grab a bite in the outskirts of Montepulciano, a hilltop town known for its nobile red wine, before passing through Florence and Bologna. If you have time to spare, you can even make pit stops in Arezzo, a rural city with picturesque medieval buildings, as well as Ferrara, a UNESCO World Heritage site with palaces left over from the reign of the House of Este. Continue on through Padua, possibly the oldest city in northern Italy, and the Venetian suburb Mestre, before reaching Venice.

Before you speed off, note that Venice is a car-free city. Locals and visitors get around on foot or boats. While you won’t be able to drive inside Venice, there’s parking available at Piazzale Roma, the entrance of the city, for €26 ($27.50) per day.
From there, you can hop on a vaporetto (water bus) or water taxi to Piazza San Marco or Zattere, where most hotels in Venice are located. A one-way trip by vaporetto costs €7.50 ($7.93), and multi-day travel passes are available. While water taxis might get you to your destination in record time, they’re incredibly expensive—a ride from Piazzale Roma to the city center can cost up to €100 ($105).
Rome to Venice by train
Best for: Convenience
The most popular way of getting to Venice from Rome is by train. Multiple train types are available, which differ in price, speed, and comfort. As a rule of thumb, we recommend booking tickets as early as possible—according to Trainline, buying in advance can save you an average of 23% on fares. Avoiding popular travel times is another great way to get a good deal, as tickets tend to be more expensive during peak hours.
And for travelers looking to take a day trip from Rome to Venice, this hassle-free tour maximizes your time with round-trip train tickets, skip-the-line entry to St. Marks’ Basilica, and vaporetto passes.
Fastest: High-speed trains

Both Trenitalia and Italo operate high-speed trains between Rome (Roma Termini) and Venice (Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia), with a travel time of about four hours.
Trenitalia’s high-speed Le Frecce trains are known as Frecciargento and Frecciarossa. Frecciargento “silver arrow” trains travel at up to 155 miles per hour, while Trenitalia’s flagship Frecciarossa “red arrow” trains have a maximum speed of 186 miles per hour. They also run straight into the heart of the most important cities, shortening your travel time. Both Le Frecce services offer a range of classes and fare types, with ample luggage space, plug sockets, and food and drinks available for every passenger. Prices start from €50 ($52).
Italo’s high-speed trains are affordable, comfortable, and convenient. Taking into account summer specials and low-cost pricing options, an Italo ticket can be as cheap as €30 ($31). Enjoy reclining leather seats, free Wi-Fi, and individual power sockets. Dedicated catering is only available with a Club Executive ticket; those with Smart or Prima tickets can purchase snacks and beverages from onboard vending machines.
Cheapest: Regional
The cheapest trains are regional, which make multiple stops along the way; you’ll likely also have to switch trains at some points. While the journey is longer, we love how scenic it is—watch the Tuscan countryside flicker past your window as you weave through Florence and Bologna. Prices start from €39 ($41).
Overnight trains offer the most bang for your buck; tickets can be as cheap as €28 ($29), and you’ll also get to save on a night’s worth of accommodation. If you’re keen to experience what it’s like to travel on a sleeper train (intercity notte), note that there are no direct sleepers between Venice and Rome. Instead, you’ll have to switch to a regional train at Verona Porta Nuova.
Rome to Venice by bus
Best for: Budget
Traveling by bus is the most budget-friendly way to get from Rome to Venice, with prices as low as €15 ($15) when you travel overnight. The journey typically takes six to eight hours; some routes may also require you to transfer in Florence or Verona. Services like FlixBus and Itabus offer free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and restrooms, and will stop in either Mestre or Tronchetto.
We recommend looking for buses that will take you to Tronchetto—as Mestre is on the outskirts of Venice, you’ll need to take another train or bus to reach the lagoon itself. On the other hand, Tronchetto is already located within the city, so you’ll only need to take a tram to central Venice.
Rome to Venice by plane

Best for: Travel time
It takes about one hour to fly to Venice from Rome. Typically, you’ll depart from Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and arrive at Marco Polo Airport (VCE). ITA Airways, which took over the now defunct Alitalia, is your best bet, as the airline operates two to three nonstop flights between the two cities every day. A one-way ticket from Rome to Venice costs about $100.
Although the flight is short, airport transfers, check-in, and security will add to your total travel time. In the end, your entire journey will probably be as long as taking the train, so we recommend flying only if you’re already at the airport.
Best way to get from Rome to Venice

There isn’t one ultimate way to travel from Rome to Venice, and your best option will depend on factors like budget, time, and preferences. For travelers who prioritize speed, convenience, and comfort, high-speed trains are our top travel choice.
However, if you’re making a last-minute booking and don’t want to break the bank, a bus ride will be your cheapest option. Those with time to spare can choose to drive while visiting other attractions along the way, or even embark on a multi-day tour of Rome, Florence, and Venice.
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