Venice, IT- train or plane?

anna7602 · April 2012

I've heard that it's amazing to take the train into Venice and suddenly pop out of a tunnel into the middle of all that water, but is it really all that? Is it a pain to get from the airport into the city?

We're considering our options for a short get away next month. Please weigh in on whether it's child-friendly or not, too, if you can.

ETA: We'll be going to Venice from France, not the US.

Stellina+Amour · April 2012

I don't know how close/convenient the airport in Venice is but getting into Venezia - Santa Lucia is quite charming. Plus Piazzale Roma isn't too far, giving you easy access to water taxis and public transportation. You'd be taking the Thello? Just make sure you don't get into Mestre, no water there

I don't have experience travelling with a child so I guess it depends if you find it easy to reach Gare de Lyon as opposed to the airport there and if you like sleeping on trains... Sorry, I'm not sure I helped

KeweenawLove · April 2012

I've done both. I didn't think the train was all that exciting. Getting from the airport to our hotel was very easy. We stayed behind St. Mark's Square and there was a water bus (can't remember the name but it started with a v). It look us about as close to the hotel as we could get for about $20. It was a bit of a walk from the termial to the dock at the airport but nothing too bad and it was well marked.

0225eiluj · April 2012

No, not amazing. Maybe if you're driving the train, but you'll likely be looking out a side window. I don't remember seeing water.

I would however still take the train b/c it's so easy. We did the overnight train so we left Paris around 8pm, slept, and arrived around 9am. It was great not to "waste" a day travelling. We still had to sleep, so might as well combine with the travel.

I'm not sure how kidfriendly it is... shared bathrooms are not my idea of something I'd do with a kid, but it depends on the age.

JoJo79 · April 2012

I have done both - Train from Florence and it is like PP said, you pull into the trainstation looking out a side window. It's not until you walk through the station that you see the Grand Canal. I have also flown in from Germany and that view is beautiful! Flying over the Alps and then over Venice was definately a sight I will never forget and have some really neat pictures of it too. I didnt do either with a child, but I have a 2.5 year old and I would imagine that either should be ok. not sure how long the ride is from France, but if it is too long, could your child get antsy?

TravelingJen · April 2012

We visited Venice last September and took the train over from Milan. I actually thought it was quite exciting as we could see Venice from our window as we approached the train station. Additionally, as soon as we stepped outside of the train station we were immediately on the Grand Canal, which was awesome. We left Venice via the airport which was also fun (although we had already ridden on multiple water taxis by that point). It was amazing to fly over Venice as we could easily identify many of the main sights.

In terms of the city being child friendly, I think it should be fine. Strollers might be difficult in some parts due to the cobble stone streets but since there are no cars on the island, it is probably "safer" for children to run around than in other cities. However, the canals could pose a problem in that some children might want to jump in :-)

ADWCal · April 2012

We went from Paris to Venice in January and found it significantly cheaper to fly than to take the train. Plus the flight is much shorter. My husband really wanted to take a train while we were in Europe, since he'd heard so much about it, so we travelled by train from Pisa to Rome, but it wasn't anything special.

VABeach08 · April 2012

I've done the try-fecta (driven, flown, and trained). The approach is pretty crappy (i.e. industrial), so train/car aren't really that fab. Plus the flight is usually a better deal (from Naples anyway).

mgfit1 · April 2012

We took DS there when he was just under 3 years old. He loved the gondola ride and all the boat rides for sure. He also liked the park - there is one near the St Elena vaporetto stop. Bring some panini's with you and have a picnic and let your DC play a while. You can also watch a lot of boats from there. DS also liked Piazza San Marco. We had lunch on Piazza San Stefano which is open and many kids play there. He liked that too. We were only there a few nights so I can't offer more suggestions for kids.

MrsAxilla · April 2012

It's quite a water taxi ride from the airport to Venice; it's on a completely different island (maybe even on the mainland? I'm not sure) and it was about 45 minutes to San Marco, which was near our hotel. We did not take our kiddo, but Italians LOVE children, so it's probably pretty kid-friendly.

Knitty · April 2012

I'd just do whatever's cheapest. The train terminal area isn't anything special (great playground across the way from it, though).

ETA: You can't see it on google because the trees are too dense, but directly across from the bridge connecting the train station and the bus station is the playground. Also, pigeon chasing is a great recreational activity. As are climbing up and over bridges, boat rides and looking at fancy carnival masks. Venice is a surprising hit with kids.

anna7602 · April 2012

VABeach08:
I've done the try-fecta (driven, flown, and trained). The approach is pretty crappy (i.e. industrial), so train/car aren't really that fab. Plus the flight is usually a better deal (from Naples anyway).

VABeach, I am considering just hiring you as my personal vacation consultant. You seem to have been everywhere I post a question about!

VABeach08 · April 2012

anna7602:
VABeach08:
I've done the trifecta (driven, flown, and trained). The approach is pretty crappy (i.e. industrial), so train/car aren't really that fab. Plus the flight is usually a better deal (from Naples anyway).

VABeach, I am considering just hiring you as my personal vacation consultant. You seem to have been everywhere I post a question about!

I like wine, sun, and beaches. Art and nifty historical stuff, gravy !

Actually, H and I are heading to France this summer, so I'm sure I'll have all kinds of questions about the north and west coast (once I actually get to planning)!!

Oh and unsolicited recommendation (at the risk of deviating from my own 'beach' rule)-- if you have a bit of extra time, I'd highly recommend a visit to Verona. It's beautiful. So charming. My favorite city in Italy, FWIW.

cal.bear · April 2012

When we went to Europe, we flew from Paris to Venice, took a water taxi to the city, then later took a train to Florence from Venice. I think the train ride from Paris to Venice was way too long for us to do. Cannot comment on the child-friendliness.

anna7602 · April 2012

VABeach08:
Oh and unsolicited recommendation (at the risk of deviating from my own 'beach' rule)-- if you have a bit of extra time, I'd highly recommend a visit to Verona. It's beautiful. So charming. My favorite city in Italy, FWIW.

Interesting! I will consider it. Grazie.

Venice, IT- train or plane?

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