Private car transfer from Cinque Terre to Venice

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!

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.

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.

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!

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 crypt

San 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.

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.