Everyone wants to visit Venice. It is on nearly every single bucket list, of anyone that is even remotely interested in traveling. The pity of it is that Venice doesn’t fit in the budget of everyone either. Therefore, budget travelers have to find other options to make the dream come true. Staying further out and visiting Venice on a day trip is the best option in this case, and my choice (I’ve done it several times) is to travel from Padua to Venice by train.
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What many don’t think about when planning a trip to Venice, is that it is, essentially, a small city. You only need a few hours to walk around it, and if you have a few days, and catch the train into town each day, you can potentially save a LOT of money. Plus, you also get to see another city at the same time!
Table of Contents
- How far is Padua from Venice?
- Why Padua?
- The new Venice Rules for Day Trippers
- Best way to get from Padua to Venice
- Tickets and Fares
- The Train
- Venice to Padua
- Where to stay in Padua
- Summary
How far is Padua from Venice?
Padua is only 40 Kilometers from Venice. It is located just the west of Venice, and situated in a central area close to other major cities of Verona, Bologna, Milan and even Florence.
Why Padua?
Padua is the perfect city to base yourself, in my opinion. Especially so for visiting Venice, but also because you can easily visit other cities around northern Italy. Only a short train ride away are Verona, Milan and Florence. The Lakes districts are just to the north, within easy reach. and the railway lines from Padua connect you with all of Italy.
Padua itself is brimming with history. The city is older than Rome, and it features some wonderful architecture, large churches, and the world’s most ancient Botanical Gardens. The city is a treat to walk around, with arcade style streets leading from one Piazza to another, each featuring its own personality, and all brimming with life the way that you can find only in Italy.
The new Venice Rules for Day Trippers
As of 16th January 2024 there are new rules and regulations in place for visitors to Venice.
The first new rule is the all visitors to the city must be registered. You will be able to register online and receive a QR code that must be scanned upon entry to the city. This is being put in place in order to limit the amount of tourists in the city, and avoid overcrowding. It will be important to keep your QR code on hand, as if you don’t register, or area caught in the city without your proof of registration, you could be fined about €400.
The other new rule is for day trippers. Visiting Venice for a day, for example from Padua to Venice, is very popular, but to limit the amount of people doing this, day trippers will now pay a fee when they register online. The fee is only €5, but is being put in place in order to control the number of people in the city, now that overcrowding is really becoming an issue.
Other rules are also being put into place, such as limiting tour groups to a maximum of 25 people, and banning loudhailers from the city, a move that I very much agree with and wish other cities could adopt!
Best way to get from Padua to Venice
If you haven’t guessed it already, the best way to get from Padua to Venice is by train. The trains run so regularly that it is almost comical, in a way. Standing and looking at the train departures board at Padova Station will show Padua to Venice trains running one after another. You will never miss a train and not be able to at least jump on the next one!
The train from Padua to Venice only takes around 40 minutes. The time flies by before you even know it! So if you stay somewhere nice and handy to a train station, or even better, Padova Station, then you will hardly even notice it. Then there is the fact that the Venice train station is right in the heart of the city, and as you walk out the door you are right on the Grand Canal. It simply doesn’t come any better!
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Tickets and Fares
You can get tickets for the train from Padua to Venice 3 ways. It is up to you how you do it, but all are pretty easy.
First, you can buy online. Just go to Trainline, and you can buy them with a simple search. This is the best option if you are jumping on the train from another station that is not the main Central Station, and there may not be a ticket office.
Second, you can buy from the ticket machines at Padova Station. These are the big red machines that you will see all through the entrance hall right in front of you as you enter. You can’t miss them. They all have options on the very front screen to change the language to English, and then it’s a simple case of putting in your destination details and searching for a train that suits you.
Third, is to just go to the ticket office. I did this the first time I traveled from Padua to Venice on the train, and it was easy, and I basically learnt a LOT. They spoke good enough English to explain the procedure to me, where I had to go, and what train to look for.
IMPORTANT – Make sure that you validate your ticket! If you buy a ticket from the office, or from the machine, you will have to validate it as you walk toward your platform. There are small green machines along the way. Simply slide your ticket in and wait for it to be stamped. You will hear and feel it happen. If the ticket is not validated, you could be fined.
When you purchase your ticket, make sure to get the “regional” train option. There are several different trains you can opt for, but unless you really need to spend the 40 minutes in first class, paying 10 times the price (or more) then you only want the normal, regional train. These are great trains anyway! When you are looking at the board for times, the regional train is symbolized with a single “R” next to it.
The ticket on this regional train will only cost around 4.70 Euro each way, at time of writing.
The Train
So you are finally on the train. Well, almost, but you are on the way from Padua to Venice!
When the train turns up, if you are like me and are from a country with sub-par trains, you will be amazed.
The train is clean and seems brand new. When the doors open, a little ramp slides out so there is no gap. How good!
Inside. the seats are a comfortable vinyl, and between each set of two seats are charging sockets for your phones. These consist of both a normal plug socket, and USB sockets. Just what you need after taking videos all day in Venice. I know I did!
I have done this trip several times and have never yet seen the trains crowded either. I guess that’s what happens when there are SO many.
Oh, and one more thing. There are toilets on the trains! So if you are sick of having to pay to go to the toilets in Europe, hold it for the train.
Also, the ticket inspectors do patrol the trains. So make sure that you validated your ticket properly.
When you arrive in Venice, you will know it as it’s the end of the line. It’s quite unique on the approach as you go across the water via the causeway, and the train delivers you right into the very heart of Venice. Hop off the train, and follow the walkway to the left. You will enter the main station area here, where you want to immediately veer right, and the Grand Canal will be waiting for you right outside the doors.
Venice to Padua
On your return journey, (you bought a return ticket didn’t you?) you simply have to come back to the station and search the board for a platform. Remember you are looking or the REGIONAL train to Padua, which will most likely show as the VERONA train. Watch the board and it will cycle through the stations the train stops on the way to Verona, and Padova will be one of them.
Take note of the platform, then make your way there, after VALIDATING your return ticket. Don’t forget!
Where to stay in Padua
So, you have decided that the best way to visit Venice is to stay in Padua, and catch the train from Padua to Venice. Good decision! Now you just need to find somewhere to stay!
Here, I will do the leg work for you. Now, if you are staying in Padua to save money, I’m pretty certain that you will not be looking at Luxury accommodation! So I will list only mid range and budget accommodations in this article.
Happy hunting!
Hotel Casanova Padua
Hotel Casanova tops my list here as a good priced hotel in a great location for day trips from Padua to Venice. It is not far from the Train Station, and features great breakfasts, outstanding service, as well as being located in a nice, quiet residential area. If you are looking for a place to stay that will serve your needs of seeing Venice, then this is it.
Casamina
This place works a bit more like an Air BNB, but is very, very highly rated. Mostly that is because the hosts are amazing, but also because it is right near the train station, as well as only being a short walk from the city center. So if you are on a budget, looking to day trip to Venice, AND also explore the city of Padua, Casamina would be worth checking out!
Casa Giotto
This is another place that I hand picked as being close to the train station as well as the city center. If you love a big, spacious bathroom, and colorful décor, this is your place. Within easy walk of many coffee shops, things to do and see in Padua, as well as getting you swiftly to Venice, this place will serve up a 5 star stay for sure!
Scrovegni Room and Breakfast
Another place very close by to Casa Giotto. The breakfast is wonderful, rooms large and spacious with really comfortable beds. Almost the perfect Bed and Breakfast, and when a place has over 500 reviews with most rating it almost perfect, you KNOW it’s good!
Summary
I hope you enjoyed your time in Venice, and that this guide on how to get from Padua to Venice, the EASY way was helpful. It really is a simple day trip, and Padua has to be the very best place to stay to visit the canal city. Especially if you are on a budget, or simply want to save money!
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