General
Overview
Venezia Santa Lucia is the only train station on the island of Venice. Exit and you are immediately on the Grand Canal — vaporetto docks are directly outside the main entrance.
Transfer Options
The following options are available for transport to your accommodation:
Luggage Storage
Official Kibag storage located along Platform 1. Follow blue signs for 'Luggage Storage'.
Individuals standing outside the station may offer to carry your bags over the bridges. They are not station staff and will demand €20–€40. Only use uniformed staff near the “Sala Blu.”
Venezia Unica Cards
To simplify navigation and reduce costs, visitors should purchase ACTV time-limited passes (Venezia Unica) for unlimited travel on Vaporettos (water buses), land buses in Mestre, and the tram.
| Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| 24h | €25 |
| 48h | €35 |
| 72h | €45 |
| 7 day | €65 |
Purchase these at Venezia Unica ticket points in the arrivals halls (Airport/Station) or at automated machines. Note that standard versions do not include the ACTV Aerobus (Line 5) to the airport — a separate €10 ticket is required. They also do not include Alilaguna water shuttles or ATVO express buses.
How-to: Purchase tickets under the “Buy” section, and you must “Activate” the ticket in the app before boarding to generate the QR code for the gates.
Public Transit
Water Bus (Vaporetto)
Price and Time
The “Metro” of Venice is the Vaporetto (ACTV water bus). A single 75-minute ticket costs €9.50.
From the Ferrovia docks (directly outside Santa Lucia station), it takes 20–45 minutes to reach St. Mark’s Square.
Tickets and Validation
- Use the yellow/white ACTV booths outside the station or stops.
- Contactless Payments: You can “Tap & Go” with your credit card or smartphone at the white circular readers on the docks.
- If using a physical ticket, you must tap it against the electronic reader before boarding every single time.
Vaporetto docks are floating platforms. Wait until the boat is fully moored and the ramp is steady before stepping across, as the wake from other boats can cause sudden movements.
Bus
Buses terminate at Piazzale Roma. You must cross the Ponte della Costituzione—a large bridge with many steps—to reach the station. This is not recommended with heavy luggage.
Whether at the airport or in the city, you must validate your paper ticket at the small machines at the stop before stepping onto the bus. Failure to do so results in a heavy on-the-spot fine.
Accessibility & Safety
Accessibility
Sala Blu — RFI’s free accessibility assistance service — is available at Santa Lucia. Book by calling 800 90 60 60 (toll-free from Italian landlines) or +39 02 32 32 32 (mobile or international). Open every day including holidays, 06:45–21:30.
RFI Sala BluSafety
The Istrian marble steps at the station’s Grand Canal entrance become extremely slippery when wet or when canal water splashes onto them. Hold the handrail and take extra care in rain or during high tides.
If you hear sirens in Venice, high tide is rising — move to the elevated wooden walkways (passerelle) set up in flooded streets and squares. Pickpockets are active on crowded Vaporettos (Lines 1 and 2) and around the Rialto Bridge; keep bags zipped and worn in front.
Essential Services
Lost & Found
The Trenitalia Kipoint depot at Santa Lucia is open daily 7:00 AM–9:00 PM. Search and claim lost items online at trenitalia.findmylost.it. Items not claimed within 15 days are transferred to the local municipality.
Trenitalia Lost PropertyArrival
Official Taxi
Official taxis in Venice are white vehicles with an illuminated “TAXI” sign on the roof. Only board at the designated rank — do not accept offers from drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
There are no taxis inside Venice’s historic centre. The nearest taxi rank is in Piazzale Roma, reached by crossing the Ponte della Costituzione (the glass bridge) at the station exit — about a 5-minute walk.
Official Taxi Fares – Venice MunicipalityA water taxi (private motorboat) takes you directly to your hotel dock — but it is a premium service. Expect to pay €105–€150 from Marco Polo Airport. Book through one of the official operators at the dock, not from anyone who approaches you inside the terminal.
Rideshare
appTaxi: Highly recommended for Venice. It is the most “local” choice and, uniquely, allows you to book both land taxis and water taxis within the same app.
Freenow: Reliable for hailing official white taxis. It often has the most user-friendly interface for international travelers.
Uber: You can still use the Uber app, but only for Uber Black, Van, or Lux. These are licensed NCC drivers (Noleggio Con Conducente) and are generally more expensive than standard taxis.
NOTE: Vehicles cannot enter the historic center; they terminate at Piazzale Roma.
Vehicles cannot reach the station. You must cross the Ponte della Costituzione bridge to the NCC/Rideshare area in Piazzale Roma (near the Autorimessa Comunale).
ATMs and Currency
Italy uses the Euro (€). Use bank-affiliated ATMs (look for the Bancomat network label) and avoid unmarked “Euronet” kiosks, which impose high conversion fees. Always decline dynamic currency conversion offers — choose to be charged in euros.
ATMs are available inside Santa Lucia station, including bank-affiliated machines near the main concourse. Additional bank branches are within walking distance in the surrounding Cannaregio neighbourhood.
Departure
Arrival & Check-In
For high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Italo), arrive 30–40 minutes early. Venezia Santa Lucia is a terminus station — trains are usually waiting at the platform 10–15 minutes before departure, giving you time to find your carriage.
Scan your ticket QR code at the automated platform gates to enter the departure zone, then check the Partenze boards for your Binario (platform number).
TrenitaliaSecurity Controls
Security & Screening
Italian train stations do not require X-ray security screening. Platform access is controlled only by ticket gates — scan the QR code on your ticket (digital or printed) to enter the departure zone.
Passport Control
There is no passport control at Italian train stations for domestic or EU/Schengen rail travel.
VAT Refunds
VAT refunds are not processed at train stations. If you are eligible, complete the refund procedure at your departure airport before flying out of Italy.