Best train from Milan to Venice

Hey travelers, best train from Milan to Venice? We tell you in this guide by Venice Insider Guide.

Taking the train from Milan to Venice is the most comfortable, fast and — for many travelers — the most enjoyable way to go. Whether you’re going for work, a romantic weekend or a long stay, the train takes you from the center of Milan to the heart of Venice without the hassle of airports or traffic.

Find out what’s the best train from Milan to Venice in this guide by Venice Insider Guide, where we analyze all the options, times, stations and practicalities to choose the best trains from Milan to Venice for your needs.

Milan to Venice

Traveling by train from Milan to Venice is one of the simplest and most charming experiences you can have in Italy. It’s the way to go from the modern and cosmopolitan Milan to the timeless Venice, without driving, parking or queuing at the airports.

The best train from Milan to Venice takes you straight to the heart of the city, arriving on the Grand Canal: in less than three hours you can go from the skyscrapers of Porta Nuova to the gondolas gliding under the Ponte degli Scalzi.

The route is served by two main companies — Trenitalia and Italo — that offer high speed, comfortable, punctual and with different price ranges. Let’s see all the useful information to organize your trip.

Milan to Venice distance

The railway distance from Milan to Venice is approximately 267 km. It’s the perfect distance for high speed trains that can cover it in less than two hours.The route goes through the Po Valley, passing through important cities like Brescia, Verona and Padova before arriving in the lagoon.

One interesting fact is that the railway line from Milan to Venice is one of the oldest in Italy, opened in the second half of the 19th century and completely renovated to host trains that can reach 300 km/h on the fastest sections.

Milan to Venice train time

The journey time by train from Milan to Venice varies depending on the type:

High speed trains (Italo or Frecciarossa): 2 hours and 10 minutes to 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Regional trains: can take 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours and more, but are cheaper.

On average, trains depart every 20-30 minutes during peak hours, making this one of the most served routes in Italy.

If your goal is to arrive in Venice in the morning to enjoy the city from early, you can take a train that leaves from Milano Centrale at 7:00 and arrives at Venezia Santa Lucia around 9:30 — perfect for a day trip.

Train from Milan to Venice: options

The main options to travel with the best train from Milan to Venice are two:

Italo;
Frecciarossa.

1. Italo

Italo is the private high speed company. Its trains depart from Milano Centrale and arrive at Venezia Santa Lucia or Venezia Mestre.
Italo trains are modern, silent and with free Wi-Fi, power sockets, air conditioning and information screens. The travel classes are:

Smart: economic but comfortable.
Prima: with snack service.
Club Executive: lounge area, leather seats and service at seat.

Italo are often the fastest (2h10-2h20) and sometimes the cheapest if you book in advance.

So, Italo is one of the best trains from Milan to Venice.

2. Trenitalia – Frecciarossa

Frecciarossa is the flagship service of the national railway company. It offers more departures and travel classes from Standard to the elegant Executive.
You’ll find Wi-Fi, power sockets, silent cars and bar service here too. Many Frecciarossa trains arrive directly at Venezia Santa Lucia, without changes or connections.

For both companies, tickets can be bought online, in the station or through dedicated apps. Generally, booking in advance is always a good idea, with discounts up to 60%.

So, Frecciarossa is one of the best trains from Milan to Venice.

Train from Milan to Venice: what to consider

Choosing the best train from Milan to Venice isn’t just about the price. When you choose your train, consider these practical factors:

Time and schedules

If time is of the essence, choose the high speed trains (Italo or Frecciarossa) that offer the fastest solutions (~2h15–2h30). Some regional trains or with changes can take much longer.

Always check the journey time: some trains make intermediate stops (Verona, Vicenza, Padova) and take a few minutes more.

Comfort

If you travel with luggage or want to work, prefer a car with power sockets and stable Wi-Fi.
The higher classes (Italo Prima or Frecciarossa Business) offer extra space and welcome service.

Seat position

Last stretch, choose a seat on the left side to enjoy the lagoon view as you enter Venice.

Arrival station

If your hotel is in the historic center, make sure the train arrives at Venezia Santa Lucia and not just Mestre.

So:

Venezia Santa Lucia is the station on the lagoon side, literally on the Grand Canal: getting off at Santa Lucia means you’re already in the historic center. Many high speed trains arrive at Santa Lucia.
Venezia Mestre is on the mainland: useful if you have an accommodation in Mestre or need to continue by car. If your destination is the historic center of Venice, look for a train that goes to Venezia Santa Lucia.

Price and flexibility

Low cost tickets are tied to a specific date and time, but if you prefer flexibility, opt for modifiable or refundable tickets (e.g. “Flex” or “Economy”).

The base fares (booking in advance) can be very cheap: Italo offers and Trenitalia promotions start from low cost fares, but be aware of the refund/cancellation conditions. Booking in advance saves a lot; at the counter prices go up.

Milan Central

Milano Centrale is one of the main European hubs, a real travel cathedral.

It’s well connected to the metro, bus and taxi, and has many services: lounge, food points, shops and automatic ticket machines.

Almost all trains to Venice depart from here, with departures every 30 minutes.

Practical tip: arrive a bit early — the station is big and finding your platform with calm makes everything more enjoyable.

Mestre station

Venezia Mestre is the station on the mainland, before the bridge that leads into the lagoon. It’s perfect if:

your hotel is in Mestre or Marghera;
you need parking;
you want to continue by car or bus to other Veneto destinations.

From Mestre, Venice Santa Lucia is just a 10 minute local train ride away.

High speed train from Milan to Venice

Trains from Milan to Venice high speed are the best way to move between Milan and Venice.

They are comfortable, punctual and get you into the city center — a huge advantage over the plane, which forces you to long transfers to and from the airports.

Plus, high speed stations are in the heart of the city, so you can travel from city to city in less than 2 hours.

So what is the best train from Milan to Venice? There is no one answer, but some combinations are particularly convenient:

Best value for money: Italo 7:35 from Milan Central, arrival at Venice Santa Lucia 9:50.
Fastest: Frecciarossa direct, 2 hours and 12 minutes journey.
Most comfortable: Frecciarossa Business or Italo Prima, with snacks and drinks included.
Most scenic: daytime train arriving around 11:00 to see the lagoon in full light.

Booking in advance, you can find tickets from 19,90€ — a great price for such an iconic journey.

But the best train from Milan to Venice can be chosen between Italo and Frecciarossa.

Italo: modern trains, comfortable seats and tiered fares (Smart/Prima/Club/Executive). Often the fastest option in the best deals and very competitive on prices if you book in advance. Check duration and stops at the time of booking.

Italo is stylish and techy. Each train has:

Reclining leather seats;
Free Wi-Fi with onboard portal (movies, news, maps);
Silence and cleanliness impeccable;
Exclusive lounges in main stations (Milan Central, Venice Mestre).

Italo has up to 10 daily runs on the Milan–Venice route and often has promotional fares. Perfect for those who want modernity and Italian design.

Trenitalia Frecciarossa: the national high speed Frecce network: many daily runs, integration with regional services and frequent traveller offers. Frecce are very reliable and offer different classes of service.

Frecciarossa means reliability and comfort. With an extensive network and continuous connections, it’s the choice for business travellers or those who want the security of a national service. It offers:

Onboard restaurant;
Executive and Business classes with dedicated catering;
Free Wi-Fi and “Le Frecce” portal;
Freccia loyalty card.

Many Frecciarossa trains go beyond Venice to Trieste, passing through the beautiful Adriatic coast.

Milan to Venice Santa Lucia train

Arriving at Venice Santa Lucia is an experience in itself. When the train crosses the Ponte della Libertà, the mainland disappears and the lagoon opens up in front of the windows: water, boats and reflections of light.

Getting off at Santa Lucia means being right in the historic center, in front of the Grand Canal, with the vaporetto and water taxis waiting for you.

It’s one of the few cases in the world where the train literally drops you off in a city built on water.

Milan to Venice train tickets

You can buy your train tickets from Milan to Venice:

Online on Italo and Trenitalia official websites;
In station, at the ticket machines;
Through apps or international portals like Omio or RailEurope.

Booking 30-60 days in advance you can save up to 50%. Check also for 2x1 offers or weekend discounts: both Trenitalia and Italo offer them periodically.

Is the train ride from Milan to Venice scenic?

The journey is not “spectacular” like crossing the Alps, but has its charm. From the window you see fields, vineyards, small Venetian towns and finally the lagoon.

The last stretch is the most beautiful: the Ponte della Libertà almost 4 km long brings you directly onto the water, while in the background you see domes, bell towers and boats.
For many travellers, it’s the most poetic way to get to Venice.

In fact, the route is not “mountainous” nor coastal: the beauty of the journey is thin but real. You cross the Po Valley, with small towns, Venetian countryside and, in some stretches, Lake Garda (visible on some trains and at some of its stations).

The real surprise comes when approaching Venice: the long bridge (Ponte della Libertà) that connects the mainland to the lagoon offers one of the most beautiful train entrances in Italy: suddenly the landscape opens up to the water and the Santa Lucia station faces the Grand Canal. If you like to observe the territory, travel during the day and sit on the right side you’ll enjoy nice views.

Conclusion

For most travellers the best train from Milan to Venice is a high speed (Italo or Frecciarossa) train to Venice Santa Lucia, booked in advance to combine speed, comfort and price. Choose the train according to: journey time, stops (Santa Lucia vs Mestre), price and class of service. Travelling by train is the most efficient — and often the most pleasant — way to go from Milan’s elegance to Venice’s uniqueness.

In fact, the best train from Milan to Venice is the one that combines speed, comfort and direct arrival to Santa Lucia.

Both Italo and Frecciarossa offer great experiences: choose according to your budget, desired comfort and your itinerary’s schedule.

The journey is short but intense, and anticipates the enchantment that awaits you among calli, bridges and canals. The train, in the end, is not just a means of transport — it’s the perfect introduction to the Venetian magic.

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