Destinations
Rail Holidays to Venice
Discover Venice by rail, a city unlike anywhere else in the world. Built across a beautiful lagoon, its winding canals, elegant palaces and magnificent churches have captivated visitors for centuries. Explore the grandeur of St Mark's Square, cross the famous Rialto Bridge and wander through a maze of atmospheric streets and hidden squares. Arrive by train through the spectacular Alps and enjoy an unforgettable introduction to one of Italy's most enchanting cities.
Our favourite rail holidays to Venice
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Why visit Venice?
Few cities can rival Venice for atmosphere, history and sheer beauty. Built across a lagoon in northeastern Italy, this remarkable city of canals, bridges and magnificent palaces offers an experience unlike anywhere else. Whether you're drawn by its extraordinary architecture, world-class art, romantic waterways or fascinating maritime history, Venice is a wonderful destination to explore at your own pace.
The city's most famous sights include St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace and the Rialto Bridge, while the Grand Canal provides a spectacular introduction to Venetian life. Beyond the main attractions, the quieter districts of Cannaregio and Dorsoduro reward exploration, with charming squares, traditional restaurants, artisan workshops and excellent galleries. The surrounding lagoon islands are equally appealing, from Murano's glassmaking heritage to the colourful houses of Burano.
Venice is particularly well suited to couples, culture lovers and independent travellers who enjoy exploring on foot. Its excellent rail connections also make it an ideal destination for a tailor-made holiday in Italy, whether combined with Verona and the Italian Lakes, the cities of Florence and Rome, or a scenic journey through the Alps.
Things to see and do in Venice
Gondola ride
A gondola ride takes you under small bridges and past palazzi that are hard to see from the streets. Rides last around 30 minutes and gondolas seat up to five.
Tip: Prices are set by the city, and rise after 7pm.
Doge's Palace
Once the seat of Venetian government, the Doge's Palace is filled with grand halls, elaborate artwork and fascinating reminders of the city's powerful past. A visit also takes you across the famous Bridge of Sighs into the former prison.
Tip: Book tickets in advance, particularly during busy periods, to avoid lengthy queues.
Gallerie dell'Accademia
Home to one of the world's finest collections of Venetian art, the Accademia showcases masterpieces by artists including Bellini, Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese. Its galleries trace the development of Venetian painting from the Middle Ages to the 18th century.
Tip: Allow around 1–2 hours for your visit. The museum is in Dorsoduro, close to the Accademia Bridge.
Rialto Bridge
The oldest of Venice's four bridges across the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge offers wonderful views of passing gondolas, water buses and historic palaces. The surrounding streets are filled with shops, restaurants and the famous Rialto markets.
Tip: Visit early in the morning for fewer crowds and a chance to explore the nearby produce and fish markets.
Murano
Famous for its centuries-old glassmaking tradition, Murano is a collection of small islands a short boat ride from central Venice. Visit a working glass furnace to watch skilled artisans at work, then explore the island's galleries and colourful waterfront.
Tip: Take a public vaporetto rather than a private glass factory shuttle if you'd prefer to explore independently.
Destinations to combine with Venice
Venice has excellent rail connections, which make it an ideal starting point for exploring northern Italy and beyond. For a shorter holiday, combine Venice with romantic Verona or the beautiful shores of Lake Garda, both easily reached by direct train. Bologna, celebrated for its medieval architecture and exceptional food, is another appealing addition, while Padua and Vicenza offer opportunities to discover some of the Veneto region's lesser-known treasures.
For a longer Italian rail holiday, high-speed trains connect Venice with Florence and Rome, creating a classic itinerary combining three of Italy's most remarkable cities. Alternatively, travel west towards Milan and Lake Como and Maggiore, or head north into the Dolomites for spectacular mountain scenery.
Venice also works beautifully as part of a multi-country rail adventure. Travel through the Brenner Pass to Innsbruck and Munich, enjoying magnificent Alpine scenery, or head east along the Adriatic coast to Trieste and continue into Slovenia. Whether you're planning a short city break or an extended European holiday, we can tailor your route to include the destinations and experiences that interest you most.
Accommodation in Venice
Where you stay in Venice can make all the difference to your experience of the city. Choose a hotel in San Marco to be close to the major attractions, or near Santa Lucia station for a straightforward arrival without having to navigate too many bridges with your luggage. For a quintessential Venetian experience, consider a hotel overlooking the Grand Canal, while the Rialto area puts you close to historic markets and lively streets. Alternatively, Cannaregio offers a quieter, more local atmosphere away from the busiest tourist areas.
Venice
Carlton on the Grand Canal
Overlooking the Grand Canal, Hotel Carlton is ideally located for those arriving by train as it's just across from Santa Lucia station. Bedrooms are all air-conditioned with satellite TV, a minibar and a private bathroom with hairdryer. There is also a restaurant and a rooftop bar serving drinks and snacks throughout the day.
Getting to Venice by train
Arriving in Venice by train is a wonderful experience, particularly when travelling through the spectacular scenery of the Alps. From the UK, take Eurostar to Paris or Brussels and continue through France, Switzerland, Germany or Austria, with several scenic routes offering opportunities to make the journey part of your holiday.
Travel through Switzerland via the Gotthard or Simplon routes, perhaps including a stay beside Lake Geneva or one of the Italian Lakes. Alternatively, journey through Germany and Austria, enjoying the beautiful Rhine Valley and dramatic mountain scenery of the Brenner Pass. For a truly special occasion, the luxurious Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers an unforgettable way to reach the city aboard its beautifully restored vintage carriages.
Venice Santa Lucia station is situated directly on the Grand Canal, allowing you to step off the train and immediately experience the city's extraordinary setting. From here, explore on foot or take a vaporetto (water bus) to reach your hotel and the main attractions. Private water taxi transfers can also be arranged.
Venice is well connected to the rest of Italy by high-speed rail, with direct trains to cities including Verona, Milan, Bologna, Florence and Rome. This makes it easy to combine a stay in Venice with other Italian destinations as part of a longer European holiday.
Why book your train holiday to Venice with us?
Placeholder text. Every holiday is planned by a rail specialist who knows the routes first hand. We arrange your trains, hotels and transfers, and stay on hand throughout your journey.
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What our travellers say
We had an amazing holiday travelling from Salisbury to Venice via Geneva and returning via Nice and Lille. Simon at Tailor Made Rail could not have been more helpful going through at least a dozen different options for us as we "tailored" our trip. This was a holiday to celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary and we wanted to make it special and it really was
Jon
Jon
10 June 2026
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