To plan a day trip from Milan to Venice?

[ilikeachallenge]

I’m travelling to Milan with a friend this summer.

I’ve seen that you can travel by train to Venice and do it in a day. It’s a long day, but I’ve always wanted to go to Venice. A long trip there isn’t in my future.

My friend would rather spend the day in Milan and do some designer shopping.

AIBU to say we go our separate ways for the day and do what we would like? I can’t see many drawbacks to my plan, she thinks it’s far too long for a day trip.

I live in Milan and have done it, only 2 hours something on the Freccia Rossa or Italo. You can spend a long day there then get a later train back. I used to do the same trip to Mestre for work in one day, as well as Rome (3 hours each way from Milan).The Rome trips were more tiring, but the journey to Venice is more relaxing.

Nothing wrong with Milan, I live here and love it, lots of history, interesting nooks and crannies plus lots going on, but if you’ve never been to Venice you should see it at least once.

when you’re there avoid the main corso and St Mark’s square and fill up on Venetian spritz with cicchetti (little snacks) in a bar off the main routes. Plenty of nice places in the Ghetyo or near the Arsenale.

It sounds like a much better option than a day ‘designer shopping’! Obviously you won’t even begin to scratch the surface of Venice, but it’ll probably whet your appetite and you’ll go back at some point in the future. I’ve never done it but it looks like the train ride itself may be quite scenic.

You could get an early train and be there by 9, go back at 6, be back at hotel by 9pm.

I wouldn’t bother with a gondola ride, everyone we saw in them looked really miserable (probably the thought of spending 80€ for half an hour!) Spend the money having a coffee and cake at Cafe Florian at St Marks Square instead!

Just to add OP, I think the fast trains operate a bit like budget airlines, so prices go up if you do not get booked! I have recently embraced independent travel as an empty nester widow. Bloody love it! No one to answer to, I can be as sociable as I want to be and it really is wonderful. So much so, since my first trip last September around 5 Balkan countries, I have since had 3 more breaks to countries totally off the tourist radar. Just get yourself booked on those trains and if it is a place you love, you know to return in the future

You can get group ones for £27 pp!

I've done a day trip from Milan to Venice. It's perfectly doable.

Definitely do it. A day in Venice is always worth it.

Not much would keep me from Venice but I don’t think it’ll be enough time for you, the Italian trains are mayhem never mind in that heat.

Last time I was in Venice we traveled from Lake Garda. We were there for 10am and left around 6. Even with 2 kids in tow it was plenty of time. The main areas are very walkable, just get a water bus outside the station to the last stop and wander back. Even a few streets away from the main route are so much quieter and authentic. We didn't bother going into St.Marks or anything so that probably saved a lot of time. I just love wandering around popping into the shops and little coffee shops and bars. Love Venice, despite the hoards of tourists!

You can do Milan in a couple of days. If you have another day free go up to Stresa on Lake Maggiore and see the Borromeo islands.

Do it! Italian trains are fast and usually run on time. Book yourself into one of the free walking tours - they’re really enjoyable and you get find out about the history of Venice.
If you want to visit St Marks book tickets early and add in the bell tower (we did both in less than an hour - the church isn’t that big) if you can. The Ducal Palace is also worth a visit. Venice is beautiful and even if you only have a day it’s worth the trip

Go for it. The great thing about Venice is that you come out of the station and you are right on the Grand Canal

Top tip is to pre book St Marks if going inside is important to you

We were in Florence for half term & did a day trip to Venice from Florence. I’ve been before, but my DB & SIL wanted to go. We got into Venice about 10am & got the 6.30pm train back. It was enough time to get the vaporetto down the Grand Canal, wander the deserted canals & eat lovely sandwiches from 60/40 in Dorsoduro; got the traghetto across to St Mark’s; walked through the square, took photos then headed up through San Marco to Castello & on to Cannaregio. We did visit the fab supermarket in an old theatre (Despar Teatro) & had an early dinner at Osteria Pan & Ohio. We didn’t get to everything on my list but it was a good taste of Venice away from the crowds.

Yes, do it!
Second class on the Freccia Rossa is perfectly comfortable with Wi-Fi and you can relax both ways. The journey across the lagoon from Mestre to Venice Santa Lucia itself is magical.

They’ve brought in a daily tourist tax (€10 IIRC) and it’s a good idea to pay that online before you arrive.

Venice>Milan

Go to Venice.

Interesting. Have you been to Monza before?

I once got stuck at Monza station for about an hour, afterwards I complained to a colleague what a dump Monza looked.

He said no you have to go to the Grand Prix circuit it's amazing. The circuit is actually in the grounds of Hapsburg Summer palace I believe. I really want to go.

Based on your itinerary I am now thinking it would be good to stay in Milan to do a few things, and then visit Milan and Venice again next year! If possible.

I would also recommend eating Arancini. You can get them for 3 euros each in Milan.

Yes, I have. The F1 is amazing there. That’s what we’re there for.

I did it recently, OP, but from a bit nearer. My friend and I had a wonderful day and stayed til after dark (St Mark's Sq was too busy before dark). It was my third visit and I knew where to go to beat the crowds a bit. We bought a one-day pass for the vaporetto and zoomed about all over the place! Watch out for pick pockets that chat to you on the vaporetto , though. We got off at our stop and my friend found her wallet halfway out of her bag...she had a lucky escape.

The first time I ever saw Venice, I was travelling on the (old, unglamorous) Orient Express to Athens (it used to split and half went to Athens and half to Istanbul - I took it to Istanbul a couple of years later). Anyway, two Americans in my compartment found out I had never been to Venice and, as the train was there for 30 mins, told me to rush straight out of the station and I would get a good look at the Grand Canal right in front. I did and have loved Venice ever since that first 10 minute glimpse. I have been back loads of times (for longer than 10 mins!). Your day there will definitely be worth it.

Can't you do an overnight trip. ?

Butthe fast trains are less than 2.5 hours I see so an east day trip

Have a brilliant time OP. It think it sounds fine. You'll be tired the next day though! Around the train station in Milan is a bit sketchy early morning, late evening so be aware of that. Went to Varenna myself a few weeks back and it was incredible.

We really enjoyed our gondola ride, it’s a completely different view of Venice.

I used to do that as a commute into London daily, it's perfectly doable. I would do it.

The only thing I enjoyed about my 3 day trip to Milan was the day trip by train to Venice. Do it, you will love it.