Venice's central stazione serves 30 million visitors a year.
Venezia Santa Lucia Station is on the western edge of Venice's historic center, next to the Ponte della Libertà (the road causeway and railroad bridge to the mainland).
It's a busy station with all of the usual services, including a buffet, luggage storage, clean toilets, and help for disabled travelers.
Arriving:
- The station toilets (near platform 1) are cheaper than Venice's municipal toilets, so pee before you flee.
- The Ferrovia ("railroad") ACTV vaporetto platforms and ticket booth are in front of the station, along the Grand Canal.
- To avoid the station steps, use the ramp alongside the steps or exit through the archway next to platform 1 and follow the gently-sloping pavement down to the water.
- If you're walking toward Rialto or the Piazza San Marco, turn left as you leave the station and follow the crowd along the main pedestrian thoroughfare. (Do not cross the large stone bridge.)
Departing:
- To reach the station, take a water bus to "Ferrovia" or follow the local street signs that are labeled "Ferrovia" or with a train icon.
- Departing trains are listed on an electronic sign in the station hall. You'll also find yellow Partenze timetables by the platforms.
- If your train is leaving from platform 15-23, turn left as you leave the station hall. Walk past the Deposito Bagagli office to the outdoor tracks that are used by regional and local commuter trains.
Buy tickets in the station hall or from the ticket-vendingmachines.
Important: Some long-distance express trains between major Italian cities stop only at Venezia Mestre, on the mainland, instead of coming into central Venice. If your train doesn't call at Venezia Santa Lucia, you'll need to change at Mestre (which is 10-12 minutes from Venice).
Need a hotel near the station?
- See our Venice railroad station hotels page.