If you are staying in Venice for a bit longer than the canonical 3/4 days, you may decide to explore what's around the lagoon. Veneto region and Italy are in fact much more than you can actually see and visit in Venice, so you'd like to do something outside the city but in the most simple way, like catching a train!
If you do not want to pick up your car, you do not have to worry at all, because Venice is connected to the major Italian cities by an efficient public transport system. In fact, you could explore most of the best destinations in Italy just with your train tickets.
Would you like to have some ideas on where you can go from Venice by train? Let's start our journey immediately!
Best day trips from Venice by train: let's broaden the borders of your trip with these ideas!
You have already seen our 1,2,3,4,5 day itineraries in Venice and now you want to explore something more.
Veneto region and Italy are so plenty of cities and attractions that you can easily reach just with your train ticket.
In this article, we will give you some practical examples, also specifying the actual prices of the trains.
5. Padova (Padua), the perfect idea for a day trip from Venice
The easiest thing to do is to take your train and go from Venice to Padova (Padua, in English).
In fact Padova is just 30 minutes away from Venice and it is marvelous and not so big, so that you can spend one entire day without catching further buses or tramways (which there are actually).
The historic center is close to the train station and you can reach it with a 10/15 minutes' walk or you can decide to catch a bus or the tramway (consider an average price of 1,50 euro per person per ride).
Padova is famous for its Scrovegni Chapel, with frescoes designed by Giotto, an UNESCO World Heritage since 2021 (please mind that you have to book your entrance in advance).
If you prefer spending your day just walking through the center, however, just go to Piazza dei Signori, one of the most elegant squares you'll ever see, and go to Prato della Valle, one of the widest squares in Europe. So close to the Prato della Valle, there is also the marvelous Basilica di Sant'Antonio, the center of pilgrimages coming from all over the world.
Ticket prices to go to Padua start from 4,60 euros per person per ride (if you book the ticket for a regional train with no seat selection included) and you could book them online at the official Trenitalia website.
4. Treviso, one of the most elegant cities in Italy
Where to go for your day trip from Venice in less than 30 minutes? You can choose Treviso, located in an area which is most famous for its incredible sparkling wine. Here in fact, from Conegliano to Valdobbiadene there is another UNESCO World Heritage since 2019: the Colline del Prosecco (Prosecco Hills).
So, if you come to Treviso by train and you want to do a wine tasting, you should definitely rent a car at Treviso train station or book a group tour.
Otherwise, you can just arrive in this city and appreciate the elegance of its streets, squares and incredibly beautiful cafes.
In Treviso there is also a great Piazza dei Signori, even though is much smaller the Padova's one. However, it is simply beautiful!
So, come here, take your Prosecco (or your Spritz!) and enjoy your time here. That's the city where the recipe of the famous tiramisù was actually created. What's best then to try a tasty slice of it surrounded by an incredible panorama?
Prices for a train from Venice to Treviso start from 3,70 euro per ticket per ride (if you book the ticket for a regional train with no seat selection included).
Might the idea of exploring Conegliano sound great to you (and it definitely should), it's just 1 hour away from Venice by train. So, you could decide to combine Treviso + Conegliano and create an amazing day trip from Venice!
3. Vicenza, the city of Andrea Palladio
Another great city for your day excursion from Venice is certainly Vicenza, the city of the great architect Palladio.
It's located just 50 minutes away from Venice, if you choose to take the RV train (Regionale Veloce, or "fast regional train").
This is an incredible gem of the Veneto region, UNESCO World Heritage since 1994, for the incredible work of arts left here by the genius of Palladio.
Buildings and incredibly elegant villas are located in Vicenza and in the surrounding areas.
Stroll around the city admiring the Basilica Palladiana and the Palazzo Chiericati, now a famous art gallery, or the Teatro Olimpico, a indoor theater built like an open air structure. You do not have to reserve your tickets to the Teatro Olimpico if you are not traveling in a great group: it's a great opportunity to discover one of the most incredible works of the XVI century in Italy.
Consider that prices for trains to Vicenza from Venice Santa Lucia start from 6,70 euro per person per ride.
2. Bassano del Grappa, an enchanting town crowned by the Alps
With a direct train from Venice you could also reach the town of Bassano del Grappa (in Vicenza province).
The city is most famous for the great landscape you could see from the Ponte degli Alpini, also called Ponte Vecchio ("Old Bridge") and for its Grappa, a particularly strong distillate.
The town takes the name "Grappa", however, from the nearby mountain which played an important role during WWI.
So, in case you are interested in the history of WWI, that's the perfect place to visit. Not only for the many souvenirs related to the Alpine Troops (Alpini, in Italian) that you can buy here, but also for the famous Museo degli Alpini. Here you can see photographs, records and items that tell the story of the many military campaigns fought over Mount Grappa. It's incredibly touching and it helps you understand the inner core of this city.
You can buy your train ticket to Bassano del Grappa for 6,70 euros (price per person per ride).
1. Verona, the city of love
In 1 hour and a half from Venezia there is the enchanting city of Verona, best known for the tragic, but yet romantic, love story of Romeo and Juliet, so greatly narrated by Shakespeare.
So, get off your train at Verona Porta Nuova station and start exploring this great town in the western part of the Veneto region. Lake Garda and the Valpolicella Hills are just 20 minutes drive from here.
Verona, whose center embraces the river Adige, is incredibly beautiful.
You can wander through its streets and find a great Roman Arena, now used for summer events and operas, Piazza Bra, but also a beautiful castle (Castelvecchio) and incredible churches.
However, we know that most of the tourists come here to visit Juliet's Balcony. This area, as it is so popular, is very often very crowded but always full of hope and love. We strongly suggest to you, in case you are interested, to reserve your entrance in advance!
Tickets from Venice to Verona have a price starting from 9,70 euros per person per ride.
Other ideas of day excursions from Venice (reachable by trains)
If you like the idea of exploring many more cities, you could take your train and just go outside the Veneto region.
Some examples of Cities reachable by train within 2 hours from Venice
- Bologna: 2 hour ride for an average cost of 14 euros per person per way;
- Ferrara: 1 hour and a half for an average price of 10 euros per person per way.
- The Garda Lake: you could visit the little town of Peschiera del Garda (in Veneto) and depart here for an incredible adventure on the lake! Prices start from 13 euros per person per way.
- Firenze (Florence): if you take the Frecciarossa train you could arrive in Florence in less than 2 hours! Prices start from 50 euros per person and you can definitely reserve your seats on board!
Examples of Cities reachable by train within 3 hours from Venice
- Mantova: 2 hours and a half for an average cost of 13 euros (please mind that you need to change the train at Verona);
- Trieste: from 2 to 3 hours, depending on which train you select. Prices start from 15 euros per ride.
- Milano (Milan): if you take the Frecciarossa or Frecciargento train, your trip to Milano could last from 2 to 3 hours (depending on the train). Prices start from 50 euros per person and you can definitely reserve your seats on board!
Any other ideas that might come to your mind?
Reading our article you hope you have found the right choice for you! Otherwise, we just hope you found the inspiration for your next trip to the closest cities to Venice!
See you soon in the lagoon!
