Train from Bologna to Venice

This short trip from Bologna makes Venice a great option for a day trip, although once you see how charming Venice is, you may want to stay longer! Taking the train to Venice is the best option considering it is quicker to travel by train, and you cannot take a car into the city, only boats are allowed.

Frequent Trains from Venice Santa Lucia to Bologna Centrale

The high-speed train covers the 97-mile (156-km) distance from Bologna Centrale to Venezia Santa Lucia (sometimes abbreviated to Venezia S. Lucia) in about an hour and a half. It's a direct train, and tickets cost $10-22. There are dozens of trains per day, which should tell you how popular this itinerary is!

Italo trains connect Bologna Centrale and Venezia Santa Lucia, too. This trip clocks in a bit faster, at an hour and 15 minutes. Italo trains stop at Padua and Venezia Mestre (the mainland station) before arriving at Venice Santa Lucia.

Direct Trains from Bologna to Venice

All AV trains from Bologna to Venice are direct, with only two stops in between. There are some slower trains that connect the cities as well, so it’s important to pay attention to the ticket details as you’re booking to make sure you know what your itinerary requires.

Amenities on the Train from Bologna to Venice

The top of the line AV trains are called Frecciarossa, and the trains are equipped with airconditioning and power outlets in your seat for your convenience. There are both 1st class and 2nd class cars. First class passengers get a free drink and a choice of newspaper. A cafe car is available to all passengers.

Frecciargento and Frecciabianca trains are very similar in terms of passenger experience to the top of the line AV trains, they’re just not as fast. There are both 1st class and 2nd class cars. Passengers in 1st class cars get a free drink and a newspaper. Both typically have a cafe car that all passengers can use, and power outlets are in all cars at each seat.

Venice and Bologna Train Stations

Bologna Centrale is the main station in Bologna, and one of the busiest in Italy. It’s on the outskirts of the city center near the ring road, and served by several city buses.

Venice has two stations, Mestre and Santa Lucia. Mestre station is on the mainland, while Venezia Santa Lucia (sometimes shortened to S. Lucia) is on the island. If you are going to Santa Lucia, pay attention so that you don't get off too early at Mestre accidentally. Some trains stop at both Venice stations, while some only stop at Santa Lucia. Once at Santa Lucia, there's a vaporetto water taxi stop right outside the station on the Grand Canal.