Venice's central stazione serves
30 million visitors a year.
By Durant Imboden
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, 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, 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.
- Buy tickets in the station hall, from
Trenitalia ticket machines, or from
regional ticket machines (for trips within the Veneto).
- 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.
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?
In-depth information at Venice for Visitors:
