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Overview: car trip from Cinque Terre to Venice
Driving from Cinque Terre to Venice will take you right across the top of the Italian peninsula. This 250-mile (400 km) drive will take you through the northern Apennine mountain range with plenty of beautiful vistas, romantic castles, and charming towns nestled in the hills as you speed by to your new destination on the Adriatic Sea.
Riding with Daytrip, you can enrich your trip with sightseeing stops that you'd miss on public transport. The Castello di Monselice and Torrechiara Castle will stun you with beautiful frescos, intricately carved furniture, artwork, and vineyards. You won’t regret a detour onto the road less traveled to these tucked-away jewels in the crown of Italian architecture and culture.
So what are you waiting for? Charge your camera, and let’s plan your trip from Cinque Terre to Venice!
About Venice
When you arrive in Venice after your trip from Cinque Terre, you'll see why "The Floating City" continues to captivate and puzzle historians, engineers, and architects. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a testament to human adaptability in the most unconventional environments.
Venice conjures images of a canal-filled city, but it's far from being a single piece of land. It is actually an archipelago of over 100 small islands in the Adriatic Sea. The buildings and bridges are built upon a limestone foundation supported by robust timber poles that were driven into the marshlands hundreds of years ago. Over time, the poles petrified into a stone-like substance with the strength to withstand both weight and time.
Today, Venice is celebrated for its architectural marvels and cultural significance during the Renaissance era and broader influence on the whole of Italy.
From Cinque Terre to Venice: travel tips
Follow these travel tips on your trip from Cinque Terre to Venice to ensure you have a smooth journey.
Stop for sightseeing
Cutting across the top of Italy, the drive from Cinque Terre to Venice is a unique route. While not an option if you take public transportation, riding with Daytrip lets you take advantage of the changing landscape by stopping for sightseeing at places like the Palazzo Ducale, Ferrari Museum, or Castello di Monselice. No one's ever said, "I wish I didn't see as much in Italy."
### Be aware of the tourism tax
Venice authorities are currently doing a trial period of a day-tripper tax of €5. This fee will be enforced on anticipated high-traffic days to help mitigate the damage done to the structures due to heavy tourism. If you plan to stay overnight in Venice, getting your accommodation documents ready before you arrive will help to exempt you from this fee.
### Don’t expect to drive right to your front door
Venice's unique geography means it's not accessible by car, aside from the parking lots on the edge of the city. If your accommodation is in historical Venice, know that you won’t be able to drive directly to your accommodation. If you’ve packed light, you can walk to your residence if it is not far. Alternatively, you can take the “water bus” (7.50 EUR per person) or a private water taxi (100 EUR).
### Avoid peak season
Nearly 30,000,000 tourists descend on Venice annually, mostly day trippers and cruise ship passengers. The canals and narrow walkways weren’t intended to support that amount of traffic, so bottlenecks and congestion are frustratingly common and can really ruin your experience. While there are crowds any time of year, it’s worst in the summer.
How to get from Cinque Terre to Venice
To travel from Cinque Terre to Venice, you have several transportation options available, however, this is a difficult route to travel due to the mountain range and limited connections between cities. Check out all the options so you can pick the best one for you and your family.
### Cinque Terre to Venice via private driver
A private driver is by far the fastest and easiest way to get from Cinque Terre to Venice. The drive typically takes around 4 to 5 hours nonstop, but we recommend adding at least one stop to the trip so you can stretch your legs and explore local castles along the way. Once in Venice, your driver will get you as close to your accommodation as possible, but there are no cars allowed in the historic city center. If you're staying in the center, you'll be dropped off at the water bus station. Prices start at 138 euros per person.
### Cinque Terre to Venice via train and bus
There is no direct bus or train route from Cinque Terre to Venice, so you need to mix a few regional buses and trains to cover the distance. The journey can take between 5 and 10 hours, depending on how lucky you are with the transfer time. The speed-to-cost ratio is usually not worth it, but if you take this route, make sure you have ample time in between transfers to get your luggage onto the new platform. Prices range from 35 to 92 euros per person, so it's not exactly cheap.
### Flights from Cinque Terre to Venice
There are no airports in Cinque Terre and very few convenient direct flights from surrounding airports into Venice. This would be the slowest, most expensive, and least convenient option, so definitely skip the flight this time!
Things to do when you get to Venice
Once you’ve unpacked your bags after traveling from Cinque Terre, it’s time to see all that Venice has to offer! Make sure these top destinations make it onto your itinerary when you get to the Floating City!
### St. Mark's Square
St. Mark's Square, also known as Piazza San Marco, serves as the bustling heart of Venetian life and the focal point of your sightseeing adventure. Prepare to be awestruck by the magnificent St. Mark's Basilica, an architectural marvel that bears testament to Venice's rich religious heritage. Its intricate mosaics and opulent design wow history enthusiasts and art aficionados alike.
After marveling at the Clocktower, venture to Doge's Palace, where you'll encounter the iconic Bridge of Sighs. Prisoners were marched across the bridge on their way to prison, so you can retrace their final steps.
### San Zaccaria Church and the flooded cryptSan Zaccaria Church dates back to the 9th century when an early doge built the first church here. Centuries later, when Venice was flush with cash, the current building took its place. While the interior, with its opulent decor and floor-to-ceiling frescoes, are certainly showstoppers, be sure to check out the crypt. Serving as the final resting place Venice doges, the flooded crypt beneath is a haunting testament to Venice's intricate relationship with its aquatic surroundings.
### The Arsenal of Venice
The Arsenal of Venice is an unmissable destination for military history buffs. This expansive complex, dating back at least 900 years, once employed advanced mass production techniques to supply ships and armaments to the Venetian Republic. Its historical significance even earned a mention in Dante's Inferno, adding to its allure.
### Gondolas Rides in Venice
Indulge in the quintessential Venetian experience with a romantic gondola ride through the city's labyrinth of canals. This tourist favorite is pricey, but worth the cost as you glide through the water and for a perspective of Venice that is truly enchanting and unforgettable.
When is the best time to visit Venice
Choosing the best time to go from Cinque Terre to Venice depends on personal preferences, as this floating city offers unique experiences year-round. However, for most people, the best time to visit Venice is in the shoulder seasons of Spring (April to June) and Autumn (September and October). The weather is pleasant, and the tourist crowds are generally smaller compared to the peak summer season, allowing for a more intimate exploration of Venice.
Summer is the peak tourist season in Venice and generally should be avoided. It's hot and humid, with temperatures often reaching around 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (high 20s to low 30s Celsius). You also have millions of people flooding the streets, so it's difficult just to get around, and attractions, restaurants, and water taxis have long queues and higher costs.
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Verified reviews from 176 travelers who booked this route
Oct 15, 2023
"The driver was amazing and very considerate to our needs and requirement, I would definitely recommend the service.
Alex was very polite and is a credit to your company 5 x stars to the service
"
Susan M.
Australia
Aug 5, 2022
"Hi, we used daytrip multiple times in our visit to Italy. Every time the drivers were easy to communicate with, on time, and professional. Perfect service! "
Rhea D.
United States
Jul 2, 2019
"Francesco was great! He was very helpful and also willing to talk about Italian history. His English was good and we enjoyed our time with him!"
Sheila M.
Visit these sights on the way
Portovenere
Built onto a small peninsula, this ancient fortified village’s rich history is as alluring as its sweeping seaside scenery. The Sixth Cinque Terre Village
Torrechiara Castle
Situated on a high hill overlooking the Parma valley lies the Torrechiara Castle. The fortress is one of the best preserved fortifications in the whole region. Premium Parma
Palazzo Ducale
A team of artists was brought in to create one of Italy’s most decadent pleasure palaces, known locally as ‘Delizia’, or ‘Delight’. Palace of Delights
Ferrari Museum Maranello
Discover the true history behind the prestigious Ferrari brand as you tour the factory and discover the technology behind the beast at the museum in Maranello. The Story Behind the Legend
Ferrara
Europe’s first modern city, Ferrara is a spectacular metropolis of art and culture. It blends medieval and Renaissance for a distinctive combination. City of the Renaissance
Castello di Monselice
Built over the course of several centuries, this castle complex gives a masterclass survey of Italian art and architecture. A Complex History
