Venezia Mestre to Santa Lucia: Train Across the Venetian Lagoon
One of Europe’s most iconic train journeys runs from Venezia Mestre across the Venetian Lagoon to the main station of Venice, Santa Lucia, located on the banks of the Grand Canal.
Join me on a train trip from Venezia Mestre to Venezia Santa Lucia as I explain all the basics about the railway line and ticketing.
Crossing the Venetian Lagoon by train. ©AndyBTravels
Venezia Mestre
Mestre, the mainland area of Venice, has few sights of interest to tourists, but it often offers a more affordable place to stay compared to the historic city of Venice, located on an island across the lagoon.
When you travel by train from Mestre or anywhere else on the mainland to Venice, you will cross the railway viaduct over the Venetian Lagoon that links the Venezia Mestre and Venezia Santa Lucia stations.
All trains, whether regional ones that stop at nearly every station en route or fast InterCity and high-speed services, stop at both Venezia Mestre and Venezia Santa Lucia.
Venice as seen from a plane window. You can see the railway viaduct linking Santa Lucia with Mestre on the mainland on the right. ©AndyBTravels
Buying a ticket
If you take the train from another city in Italy to Venice, you can simply choose the service from the national railway company Trenitalia or the private high-speed operator Italo that offers the best price and fits your schedule.
Intercity and high-speed train tickets in Italy are generally cheaper when booked in advance, and services can sell out, so it is advisable to book ahead for the best deals.
The situation is different when you only need to travel between Venezia Mestre and Venezia Santa Lucia, as you cannot buy an InterCity or high-speed train ticket for this journey, so you will need to take a Regionale (R, regional train) or Regionale Veloce (RV, fast regional train) instead.
As there is no seat reservation for regional trains, tickets cannot sell out and are the same price whether bought in advance or on the day of travel.
Currently, a one-way second-class train ticket between Venezia Mestre and Venezia Santa Lucia costs €1.50.
Interior of an Italian regional train. ©AndyBTravels
Taking the train
The train journey from Venezia Mestre to Venezia Santa Lucia is 8.4 kilometres (5.2 miles) long and takes around 11 minutes on a regional train.
Around 12 regional trains depart each hour between these two important Venice railway stations, so you won’t have to wait long for the next train if you’ve just missed one.
You get great views from the train over the lagoon, with the historic cityscape of Venice gradually appearing in the distance.
If you’re curious what it’s like to ride the train across the Venetian Lagoon, check out my YouTube video below, where you’ll find much more information!
Arrival at Venezia Santa Lucia
After a short journey, the train arrives at Venezia Santa Lucia station, Venice’s main station and the terminus of the railway line.
The station building, constructed in the 1930s, features many architectural elements of Fascist modernism, a style popular in Mussolini’s Fascist Italy.
The best part of taking a train to Venice is the moment you step outside Venezia Santa Lucia station, where you’ll immediately find yourself standing on the banks of the Grand Canal.
Few railway stations boast such a grand location in a city!
Venezia Santa Lucia station on the banks of the Grand Canal. ©Paliparan
Conclusion
Many travellers arrive by train in Venice, whether from another city in Italy or from their hotel on the mainland in Mestre.
It’s easy to travel by train from Venezia Mestre to Venezia Santa Lucia, with frequent and highly affordable regional trains linking these Venice stations.
Upon arrival, you’ll step directly onto the banks of the Grand Canal, offering a stunning introduction to Venice.
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Love that you’re spotlighting this short but iconic stretch—crossing the Venetian Lagoon really does feel like a cinematic moment, especially as Venice comes into view. For first-timers, it’s such a surreal way to enter the city, and it’s great that you’re breaking down the basics to make it more approachable. I’d be curious to hear if you’ve ever done this route during high tide—does it change the vibe at all?