Rome to Venice Train tips: A Scenic and Comfortable Journey
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Traveling by train from Rome to Venice is one of the most convenient, scenic, and comfortable ways to explore Italy. Covering a distance of approximately 525 km (326 miles), this journey allows passengers to experience the diverse landscapes of Italy while enjoying a smooth and efficient ride on a high-speed train.
There’s a lot of graffiti on the walls everywhere. Welcome back to our website! We’re saying hello from one of the biggest train stations in Europe, which is located in Rome.
Train Ticket Activation
We arrived a bit earlier, so we are waiting until our train lane is provided. We booked our ticket online with an Italo company, which cost over €200, something like that. We are not sure if we need to activate the ticket because we’ve seen a lot of blogs mentioning that if you have a physical ticket and it’s not activated yet, you need to go to a small ticket machine to activate it, which lasts for several hours or around 40 minutes. So, we need to find out if we need to activate our ticket first.
So far, we have completed three days in Rome, which was absolutely brilliant! Rome itself is like a big open-air museum. All the architectural details were amazing. However, outside of Rome, Italy didn’t leave a huge impression because it looked much dirtier—a lot of garbage, a lot of graffiti on the walls. And when I say they’re not nice, I mean they seriously don’t add any beauty to the city.
There was also a lot of garbage on the streets. Additionally, if you’re a young couple with a baby stroller, be aware that the footpaths in Rome are not suitable for strollers—it’s just a disaster! People were carrying their strollers, lifting their kids in the heat, where it was 33°C. You are literally melting! So yeah, take that into consideration if you have a baby with you.
Rome with Baby
If you have a small baby in the family, my advice is don’t go to Rome unless you have everything perfectly planned. You should either have a car or stay in a brilliant location with minimal walking distance—which is not going to happen in Rome if you want to see a lot of tourist spots. You will be constantly moving—traveling by train, by car, by scooter, walking on foot, waiting in queues—so keep that in mind.
Also, there was a lot of garbage on the footpaths, and overall, it was surprisingly messy. We also saw a lot of blogs and people saying that you need to be very careful—mind your purse and make sure nobody steals it. I don’t know, maybe we were lucky, but we didn’t experience that. We were also advised not to go to certain places because they were not safe enough. While walking with our child, we saw people sleeping on the streets, and the area itself didn’t look very safe, but everything was absolutely fine. So who knows—maybe we were lucky.
We were also warned that people in Rome can be annoying when trying to sell you things. For example, we were told not to allow anyone to take a picture of us because they would later ask for money. However, maybe we were surrounded by other European travelers who supported each other by taking selfie pictures for free, so we didn’t have any issues with that.
Around the Vatican, we saw people selling scarves to cover your shoulders or knees, but they were actually polite. If you weren’t interested, they didn’t push too much, so that experience wasn’t bad at all.
Food!
I was disappointed—really disappointed—by the food. We had seen vlogs saying that the food in the town center would be poor quality for a high price, and unfortunately, that was true. I didn’t like it. It was boring. There are so many better places to eat, but overall, the food experience wasn’t great.
As I mentioned before, you can buy tickets at the machines on-site. The machines have different language options, so you can select English if needed. You can also buy tickets directly there, but since we already had our tickets, we didn’t need to.
Italo Train Boarding
To buy a ticket, you select your final destination—let’s say Milano—then choose a one-way or round trip, select the date, and continue. The screen will show all available trains, their timing, duration, number of stops, and different class options (like business class). I selected a ticket for one adult, and that’s how easy it is—you just pick your destination, purchase whatever you need, and get your ticket.
That ticket must be activated at the small machines. However, since we had booked online through Italo, I went to the information desk, and the lady there confirmed that we didn’t need to activate our ticket. So, we’re skipping that step. She also mentioned that we should arrive 10 to 15 minutes before departure.
Before the train arrives, we will get the actual lane number. All lanes are on the first floor behind the stairs, so hopefully, everything will be fine.
Still no platform information yet. Our train is at 11:55 AM, Italo train 8914, and once the platform number is announced, we’ll head there. When you pass the screens, you’ll see both an arrival screen and a departure screen.
Platforms are assigned by train companies. Our train is with Italo, which means we’ll be looking for the red train. I’ll come closer to show you—it’s a high-speed train. You can see the barcode scanners, where tickets are being scanned, and people are going through. So, as I mentioned, our train is the red one from Italo. Train platforms work similarly to airports, where each train company has its own designated area. Our platform is number 3—there we go! First carriage! Do you see it? I’m so excited! You’re excited too? No, you’re not Harry Potter!
As you can see, our platform is number 3, and the screen confirms it: Venice, 11:55 AM, train 8914—just like I mentioned before. Why are you scared? No, why are you scared? You’re safe! No need to worry—just relax. The journey is just starting!
Now we are discussing railway station ticket prices and other tips.
1. Train Options: Choosing the Best One
Italy’s two main railway companies operate between Rome Termini and Venezia Santa Lucia:
a) Italo (NTV) – The Private High-Speed Train
- Fast & Modern: Italo’s red high-speed trains are among the fastest in Europe.
- Travel Time: The journey takes approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes.
- Comfort & Amenities: Italo trains offer comfortable seats, Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a snack bar.
- Ticket Prices: Prices vary but typically start at €30–€120, depending on the class and time of booking.
- Classes: Smart (economy), Prima (business), and Club Executive (luxury).
b) Trenitalia (Frecce) – The National Train Service
- High-Speed Frecciarossa: The Frecciarossa 1000 is Italy’s flagship high-speed train.
- Travel Time: Around 3 hours and 55 minutes.
- Comfort & Amenities: Offers Wi-Fi, reclining seats, meal services, and quiet carriages.
- Ticket Prices: Usually between €35–€150, depending on the class and availability.
- Classes: Standard, Premium, Business, and Executive.
2. Departure: Rome Termini Station
Your journey begins at Roma Termini, Italy’s largest train station. Here’s what to expect:
- Check Departure Screens: Train platforms are announced 10–15 minutes before departure.
- Ticket Validation: If you bought a physical ticket, validate it at the green self-service machines before boarding.
- Facilities: Roma Termini has cafés, restaurants, luggage storage, and shops.
- Boarding: Simply scan your QR code or show your e-ticket at the gate.
3. The Journey: What to Expect Onboard
Once onboard, you can sit back and relax as the train speeds north toward Venice.
Scenery Along the Way
- The train passes through beautiful Tuscan countryside, rolling hills, vineyards, and small Italian villages.
- Further north, you’ll see Bologna, known for its medieval architecture and delicious cuisine.
- As you approach Venice, you’ll cross the Venetian Lagoon, with breathtaking views of water and small islands.
Amenities Onboard
- Wi-Fi & Power Outlets for work or entertainment.
- Snack Bar or Trolley Service with coffee, soft drinks, and Italian snacks.
- Comfortable Seating with adjustable headrests and legroom.
- Quiet Cars for a peaceful journey.
- Luggage Storage areas at the entrance of each carriage.
4. Arrival: Venezia Santa Lucia Station
The final stop is Venezia Santa Lucia, the main railway station in Venice.
- Scenic Arrival: As the train pulls into Venice, you’ll see boats, canals, and historic buildings.
- Exiting the Station: Step out directly onto the Grand Canal, where you can take a vaporetto (water bus), gondola, or water taxi.
- Nearby Attractions: Rialto Bridge, Piazza San Marco, and Doge’s Palace are all within 20–30 minutes by boat.
5. Tips for a Smooth Trip
- Book in Advance: Train prices fluctuate, so book early for the best deals.
- Check Your Platform: Screens update the platform number shortly before departure.
- Validate Your Ticket (If Needed): Some paper tickets need to be stamped before boarding.
- Arrive Early: Get to the station 20–30 minutes before departure.
- Travel Light: Venice has no cars, so rolling large suitcases through the streets can be challenging.
On the train, we received small snacks for the second time. You can choose from coffee, Coke, water, and snacks like peanuts, crackers, and small chocolate bars. This time, we chose peanuts.
Taking the Rome to Venice train is one of the best ways to experience Italy in comfort and style. With high-speed trains, stunning landscapes, and a smooth journey, it’s a stress-free alternative to flying or driving. Whether you’re traveling for leisure or business, this train ride is an unforgettable part of your Italian adventure.
Thank you, and that wraps up Rome to Venice train discover my personal experience. Do you agree with the places we chose, or is there somewhere you visited that you feel should be on the list? leave us a comment.
You can find me on Instagram: @dreamytravelersofficial/.
