How to get from Venice to Florence

Panoramic view of Florence with the red-tiled dome of the Florence Cathedral (Duomo) on the skyline, surrounded by the city's historic architecture and set against a backdrop of the Tuscan hills

If you are traveling through Italy, Venice and Florence are two remarkable cities that can’t be missed. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites boasting stunning architecture, rich histories, and unbeatable cuisines. From floating through the canals in Venice to strolling the winding cobblestone streets of Florence, these two cities bring Italy’s rich culture to life. If you decide to take a car transfer from Venice to Florence, you can also enjoy some other impressive cities and sights, including the castle complex Castello di Monselice, Petrarca’s House, the colorful Renaissance city of Ferrara, the rolling hills in Monte Sole Historical Park, or the historical town of Prato.  

How to get from Venice to Florence

You have several options if you’re traveling from Venice to Florence. For travelers on a budget, the cheapest way to travel from Venice to Florence is by bus. The fastest way to travel from Venice to Florence is by train or car. Of course, our car is the best way to travel from Florence to Venice since it’s so convenient. You can certainly take a flight from Venice to Florence, though this is the most expensive option of them all and there are no direct flights.

Venice to Florence by train

To travel from Venice to Florence by train, make your way from Venice’s Santa Lucia stations and go to Florence’s Firenze Santa Maria Novella. Trains from Santa Lucia operate from 5:30 AM to 7:30 PM, with an average of 40 trains departing daily on this route. You can purchase tickets in advance or at the station through Trenitalia Frecce and Italo Trento train operating companies. Tickets cost an average of €40 for the 2-hour trip. The distance from Venice to Florence is about 260 km. The high-speed trains are equipped with air conditioning and bathrooms, and most have dining cars or snacks for purchase.

  • Train intervals 25 per day

  • First/Last departure 4:30 AM/ 7:30 PM

  • Avg. price $43 (€40)

  • Distance ~260 km

  • Duration ~2 hr 05 min

  • Operating companies Trenitalia, Italo Trento train

Venice to Florence by bus

While traveling from Venice to Florence by bus is the most economical option, it is not the most convenient. The buses are operated by Flixbus and BusCenter and depart from Venice Mestre Stazione FS to Florence Villa Costanza outside of the city center. You can purchase tickets in advance. Since Florence’s Villa Costanza is outside of the city center, you must transfer to the station here to get to the main station of Firenze Santa Maria Novella. The journey from Venice’s Tronchetto bus station takes approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes, with costs ranging between €9-€22 for the ~250 km journey.

  • Time intervals 12 per day

  • First/Last departure 2:15 AM/ 7:05 PM

  • Avg. price $10-$24 (€9-€22)

  • Distance ~250 km

  • Duration ~5 hr

  • Operating companies Flixbus, BusCenter

Venice to Florence Private Car Transfer

For speed and convenience, a private car transfer with Daytrip is the best way to travel from Venice to Florence. You will be picked up at your accommodation in Venice, and the driver will take care of your luggage. You’ll then be able to enjoy door-to-door service to your accommodation in Florence and can even add sightseeing stops on the way! Your driver will pick you up at Piazzale Roma if your accommodation is on Venice's main island and not accessible by car. To get there, you can catch a water taxi, which your hotel will be happy to arrange.

You will have the chance to enhance the journey by stopping at some amazing sites. You can choose to see the automotive town Modena, which is filled with factories of some of the biggest names in the car industry. Or, stop in the charming town of Ferrara, a UNESCO-listed Renaissance gem filled with palaces, churches, and a beautiful castle. Visit the Pomposa Abbey, a medieval monastery renowned for its art, architecture, library, and Carolingian repositories. These stops let you not only travel from Venice to Florence but also transform the drive into an exciting exploration of Italy's rich legacy.

  • Avg. price from $103 (€95) per seat

  • Distance 270 km

  • Duration 3 hours

Anastasia Marysheva

Originally from Russia, over the last 13 years Anastasia has lived in several different places, including Málaga, Madrid, Edinburgh, and Prague. As part of the Content team at Daytrip, she researches destinations and picks out the most compelling attractions for the website. While working on Colombia, she discovered Minca, a lovely town up in the Sierra Nevada; it became her favorite destination when she visited it a few years later.

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