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Paris to venice by train.

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You can travel the 1,148 km (713 miles) from Paris to Venice in a single day by high-speed train through some great Alpine scenery, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's not just transportation, it's an epic European adventure with your feet up and a glass of prosecco to hand.  There are several ways to travel from Paris to Venice by train, this page explains the options between Paris & Venice in both directions, and the best way to buy tickets.  Information current for 2024. 

Travelling to Verona?   This page covers Paris to Verona by train, too.

IMPORTANT:  On 27 August 2023, a landslide at St Jean de Maurienne blocked the Paris-Milan line. Direct Paris-Milan TGV & Frecciarossa services are cancelled until at least the end of 2024.  Paris-Switzerland-Milan-Venice & Paris-Stuttgart-Venice routes are unaffected.  One Paris-Milan TGV is now running with a bus around the landslide.  See the landslide on video .

Which option to choose?

Option 1 - currently cancelled because of the landslide.

It's the one I'd normally recommend if you want to travel from Paris to Verona or Venice in a single day.

Treat it as a chill-out day as 1,148 km of France, Italy and the Alps unfold outside your window.

You take the early morning Frecciarossa train from Paris to Milan, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

It's a high-speed dash from Paris to Lyon followed by a leisurely scenic meander through the Alps to Turin, then a final high-speed run into Milan.  There's time for a coffee at the magnificent Milan Centrale (an attraction in its own right, can you spot Mussolini ?) before taking a comfortable Frecciargento to Venice Santa Lucia , arriving early evening.

Trenitalia introduced its Paris-Milan Frecciarossa in December 2021 to compete head-to-head with French Railways' long-established Paris-Milan TGV (see option 2).  With an interior styled by Italian design firm Pininfarina , the Frecciarossa is the more glamorous train with the better on-board service.  It has standard class (2nd), business class (1st) and a luxury Executive class (premium 1st) with at-seat food & prosecco included.

Another advantage over option 2 is that both sectors (Paris-Milan & Milan-Venice) are with Trenitalia, so if a delay means a missed connection you have a cast-iron legal entitlement to be rebooked on a later onward train to Venice at no charge.

Option 2 - currently cancelled because of the landslide.

This also gets you from Paris to Venice by train in a single day, using the competing SNCF (French Railways) TGV from Paris to Turin, then a Trenitalia Frecciarossa from Turin to Venice.  It follows pretty much the same route as option 1, with the same scenery. 

The TGV has been running since 1996, originally a joint operation with Trenitalia, but since 2011 entirely run by SNCF.  The TGV is a comfortable train, with 1st & 2nd class, cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, but nothing as fancy as Trenitalia's Executive class.

For a blow-by-blow comparison of Frecciarossa and TGV, see Which is the better train, Frecciarossa or TGV?

Option 3 - running normally, through Switzerland so unaffected by the landslide.

This also gets you from Paris to Venice by train in a day, using scenic main lines through Switzerland.  Under normal circumstances it's slightly less convenient than options 1 or 2 because it involves two changes rather than one and it's usually a little more expensive.  But while the landslide blocks the direct route it's the fastest and most comfortable option with some great scenery in the Alps.

Option 4 is the sleeper option, through Germany & Austria so also unaffected by the landslide .

The direct Paris to Venice sleeper train was discontinued in 2020 and will not resume.  However, you can take a mid-afternoon high-speed TGV from Paris to Munich, have dinner in a fantastic Bavarian bierkeller, then take the excellent Austrian Nightjet sleeper train from Munich to Venice with cosy sleepers & economical couchettes, breakfast included.  Deluxe sleepers have their own shower & toilet.  A comfortable and time-effective option, even if it's a bit of a long way round.

Option 5 - running, but with a bus transfer around the landslide.

This is the same route as options 1 & 2, but with an overnight stop in Turin which breaks up the journey nicely.

Leave Paris on the mid-afternoon SNCF TGV or the competing mid-afternoon Trenitalia Frecciarossa (I'd choose the Frecciarossa), and stay overnight in wonderful Turin.  Just remember that in winter when the days are shorter, most of the Alpine scenery will be in darkness.

Then take a Frecciarossa from Turin to Venice next morning taking around 4 hours, there are various departures.  Personally I'd spend the morning exploring Turin, one of Italy's two most under-rated cities, even if you're not a fan of the 1969 Michael Caine film The Italian Job (before you ask, Italy's other most under-rated city is Trieste).

Option 6 involves an early evening TGV-Lyria from Paris to Zurich, overnight stop in Zurich, then a direct EuroCity train to Venice past the lakes and mountains of the Gotthard route, and through the world's longest rail tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel .

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Option 1 , Paris to Venice in a day by Frecciarossa

This option is not currently possible as all Paris-Milan Frecciarossas are cancelled due to the landslide.

There's a morning departure from Paris to Venice every day:

Leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:25, change at Milan Centrale (arrive 14:07, depart 14:45), arrive Verona P. Nuova 15:58 & Venice S. Lucia 17:12.

Just so you know, there are a few dates when it runs earlier:

Leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 06:35, change at Milan Centrale (arrive 13:50, depart 14:45), arrive Verona P. Nuova 15:58 & Venice S. Lucia 17:12.

How much does it cost?

Milan to Verona or Venice starts at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.

How to buy tickets

Option 2 , Paris to Venice in a day by TGV

This option is not currently possible as both morning Paris-Milan TGVs are cancelled due to the landslide.

There are one or two departures from Paris to Venice every day

Leave Paris Gare de Lyon 06:39 every day arriving Turin P.S. 12:23. Leave Turin P.S. 15:20, arrive Verona P. Nuova 17:28 & Venice S. Lucia 18:42.

You then take a high-speed Frecciarossa train from Turin Porta Susa to Venice Santa Lucia in 4h39, with standard, premium, business & executive class , cafe-bar, power outlets at all seats & free WiFi.

Turin to Venice starts at €19.90 in standard (2nd class), €29.90 in business (1st class)  or €119.90 in executive (premium 1st).

Buy tickets from Paris to Venice at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com .  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead .

Tip:   You can book from Paris (any station) to Venice Santa Lucia as one booking, but make sure the system gives you at least 45 minutes between trains in Turin.  You will have separate tickets for each sector, a 45 minute interchange can absorb any 10, 20 or even 40 minute delay.

Tip:   If using www.raileurope.com , I recommend clicking More options and entering Turin Porta Susa as a via station with a stopover duration of at least 45 minutes as this ensure a robust same-station change at Turin Porta Susa.  In the search results, look for a 1-change journey.

Tip:   If buying a 1st class ticket at www.thetrainline.com , you can choose your seat from a seat map.

For the TGV You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.  Italian high-speed trains are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

How to buy tickets, advanced

Alternatively, you can book each train separately, more work, but no booking fee.

Step 1, book from Paris to Turin at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com .  In €, no booking fee, you print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your phone.  If buying a 1st class ticket you can choose your seat from a seat map.

Option 3 , Paris to Venice in a day via Switzerland

Step 1, travel from Paris to Basel by TGV-Lyria , leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:22 and arriving Basel SBB 10:26.

Step 2, travel from Basel to Milan by EuroCity train , leaving Basel SBB at 12:28 and arriving Milan Centrale 16:40.

Step 3, travel from Milan to Venice by Frecciarossa , leaving Milan Centrale at 19:15 arriving Venice Santa Lucia 21:42.

There are earlier connections to Venice if you don't mind extra changes of train.

Step 1, travel from Paris to Geneva by TGV-Lyria , leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 08:18 and arriving Geneva 11:29.

Step 2, travel from Basel to Milan by EuroCity train , leaving Geneva 13:39 and arriving Milan Centrale 17:40.

What are the trains & journey like?

The TGV-Lyria is an impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck high-speed train with 3 classes, cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The scenery on the last hour of the route to Geneva is lovely, see the photos here .  Book an upper deck seat for the best views!

The Switzerland-Milan EuroCity train is a bullet-nosed Astoro type from Geneva to Milan via the Simplon route, also an Astoro type from Basel to Milan via the Lötschberg and Simplon lines, but due to become the latest Giruno type at some point.  These trains have 1st & 2nd class, a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The scenery through the Alps is wonderful.

Make sure you have a quick look around the amazing Milan Centrale and maybe you can spot Mussolini .

The Frecciarossa from Milan to Venice has standard, premium & business class, with a cafe bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It travels across Italy at up to 250 km/h (155 mph).

Basel or Geneva to Milan starts at €29 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.

Milan to Venice starts at €19.90 in standard class or €29.90 in business class.

All these fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Using www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com means you can buy everything in one place.  Use whichever you prefer, they're both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead .

First book the TGV-Lyria from Paris to Basel or Geneva and add to basket, looking for one of the early morning departures shown above.

Then book from Basel SBB or Geneva to Venice as a second booking, making sure you book the departure shown above.  Add this to your basket and check out, paying for both tickets as one transaction.  You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.

Alternatively, you can book the TGV-Lyria at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee), then book from Basel or Geneva to anywhere in Italy at www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, $ or £, they'll refund their small booking fee if you email them afterwards at [email protected] ) or Trenitalia's website www.trenitalia.com (in €, requires Italian-language place names, see advice for using it ).

Interrail & Eurail passes

Interrail & Eurail passes  are good for all these trains, but a reservation is needed on each train.  Look up each of the 3 trains on the Interrail & Eurail reservations page to see reservation costs and how to make a reservation.

Scenery from the Paris to Geneva train, as the train snakes through the hills on the wonderfully scenic Haut-Bugey line.

Lake Maggiore, seen from the Basel and Geneva to Milan trains.

Option 4 , Paris to Venice using the Stuttgart-Venice sleeper

The Thello sleeper train from Paris to Venice was suspended in 2020 and has now been permanently discontinued.  But you can take an afternoon high-speed train to Stuttgart, have dinner, then take the high-quality Nightjet sleeper to Venice, a comfortable & time-effective option, some sleepers with private shower & toilet, breakfast included.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

Paris to Stuttgart starts at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Stuttgart to Venice starts at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Option 5, Paris to Venice with overnight stop in Turin

An overnight stop breaks up the journey nicely, with a chance to see wonderful Turin.  It's the same route as options 1 & 2, but with a stopover.

The TGV & Frecciarossa both have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Which is best, TGV or Frecciarossa?

It's a scenic & relaxing journey, first at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) on the Paris-Lyon high-speed line, then the train slows right down and snakes through the Alps to Italy.  See route map .  More information, photos & tips about the Paris-Milan journey .

I suggest the Hotel Torino Porta Susa or Hotel Diplomatic , Best Quality Hotel Dock Milano , Hotel & Residence Torino Centro - Stazione Porta Susa or small Al Porta Susa B&B , all right next to Turin Porta Susa station where the TGV arrives and where your onward train leaves next morning, with good or great reviews. 

Alternatively, the excellent Turin Palace Hotel is in the centre right next to Turin Porta Nuova station , a 7 minute taxi ride, 3-stop €1.50 metro ride or 20 minute walk from Turin Porta Susa , but next morning you can board your train to Venice at Porta Nuova station the historic terminus in the heart of the city.  Turin-Venice trains start their journey at Turin Porta Nuova before picking up passengers at Turin Porta Susa a few minutes later.

Day 2, travel from Turin to Verona or Venice by high-speed Frecciarossa train or Italo .

Book any departure you like from either Turin Porta Nuova or Turin Porta Susa to Verona P. Nuova or Venice Santa Lucia , there are regular departures through the day, most with a change in Milan.

Turin to Venice takes just over 4 hours, centre to centre.  Trenitalia's 300 km/h (186 mph) Frecciarossas have standard, premium, business & executive class , cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Many Milan-Venice trains are Frecciargento , only slightly slower, with have 1st & 2nd class,, cafe-bar, power sockets & free WiFi.  Private operator Italo 's competing high-speed trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Italo .

Turin to Verona or Venice starts at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.

Buy tickets at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com , whichever you prefer. 

Both sites are easy to use, in €, £ or $.  They sell tickets for both the TGV & the Frecciarossa, and for both Trenitalia & Italo tickets within Italy, so you can buy tickets for all operators together in one place, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.  More about Raileurope .  More about Thetrainline .

Booking opens up to 4 months ahead .  Book from Paris (any station) to Turin Porta Susa for day 1 and add this to your basket.  Then book from Turin Porta Susa to Venice Santa Lucia for day 2, add that to your basket and check out.

Frecciarossa trains are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  For the TGV you print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

You can of course book the TGV and onward Italian trains separately.  It's more effort, and in principle you should see exactly the same fares.

Step 1, book from Paris to Turin at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com .  In €, no booking fee, you print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your phone.

Option 6 , Paris to Venice with overnight stop in Zurich

Day 1, travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria high-speed train in 4h04 on any afternoon or early evening departure you like.

You can spend a whole day in Paris before leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 18:22 and arriving Zurich HB 22:26, or take an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Zurich.

The train is double-deck with 3 classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about TGV-Lyria .

Day 2, travel from Zurich to Verona or Venice by EuroCity train , leaving Zurich HB at 07:33 and arriving Verona Porta Nuova at 13:28 and Venice Santa Lucia on the Grand Canal in central Venice at 14:42.

This train will revert to leaving at 08:33 once the issues in the Gotthard Base Tunnel are resolved in summer 2024.  In the meantime, it leaves at 07:33 and takes the old scenic Gotthard route 'over the top'.

The train has power sockets at all seats and an elegant restaurant car.  It travels via the Gotthard route with great views of mountains and lakes including lake Lugano, via the world's longest rail tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel (a 20 minute transit).  Treat yourself to lunch with wine in the restaurant car.  Wonderful!

Paris to Zurich starts at €29 in 2nd class (standard) or €51 in 1st class (standard premiere).

Zurich to Venice starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.

These fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book the Paris-Zurich train at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and add to basket.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead .  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

Book the Zurich-Venice train as a second booking at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com , add it to your basket and check out, paying for both tickets as one transaction.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead .  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

Option 7 , Paris to Venice via the Bernina Express - the ultimate scenic route

This takes significantly longer and must be split over 2 days, but if you want the ultimate scenic ride from Paris to Venice through the Swiss Alps, this option is fabulous - If you still need convincing, watch the video !

Step 2, book a ticket from Zurich to Tirano for the following day as explained on the Bernina Express page .  If you want to travel in the Bernina Express panoramic carriages between Chur & Tirano, add a seat reservation as I explain here .

Step 3, book a ticket from Tirano to Venice on the 13:08 departure from Tirano, using either www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead , You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Booking the 13:08 departure from Tirano to Venice should be fine as Swiss trains are usually punctual, but if you want to play it safe you could plan to have a late lunch & a beer in Tirano and book the 15:08 instead.

Venice to Paris by train

Which route to choose.

This is the one I'd normally recommend if you want to travel from Venice to Paris in a single day.

Treat it as a chill-out day as 1,148 km (713 miles) of Italy, France and the Alps unfold outside your window.

You leave Venice on a late morning Frecciargento to Milan with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  There's time for a coffee at the magnificent Milan Centrale - can you spot Mussolini ?

You then take the afternoon Frecciarossa from Milan to Paris, also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  After an initial dash to Turin at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) on the high-speed line, the train slows right down and meanders through the Alps on the classic line through Modane to Chambéry & Lyon.  After another high-speed run across France the train arrives in central Paris.

Trenitalia introduced its Milan-Paris Frecciarossa in December 2021 to compete head-to-head with French Railways' long-established Milan-Paris TGV (see option 2).  With an interior styled by Italian design firm Pininfarina , the Frecciarossa is the more glamorous train with the better on-board service, with standard class (2nd), business class (1st) and the option of Trenitalia's luxury Executive class (premium 1st) with at-seat food & prosecco included.

Another advantage over option 2 is that both sectors (Venice-Milan & Milan-Paris) are with Trenitalia, so if there's a delay and missed connection you are legally entitled to be rebooked on a later train at no charge.

Option 2 - running, but with bus transfer around the landslide.

This also gets you from Venice to Paris in a single day, using the competing SNCF (French Railways) TGV from Milan to Paris.  It follows pretty much the same route as option 1, with the same scenery.

The TGV's main advantage is that two same-day Venice to Paris journeys are possible, a morning one and an early afternoon one, although personally I'd still go with option 1's Frecciarossa.

For a blow-by-blow comparison of Frecciarossa & TGV, see Which is the better train, Frecciarossa or TGV?

This also gets you from Venice to Paris in a single day.  Under normal circumstances it's less convenient than options 1 or 2 because it involves two changes rather than one and it's a little more expensive.  But while the landslide blocks the direct route it's the fastest and most comfortable option with some great scenery in the Alps.

Option 4 is the sleeper option, through Germany & Austria so unaffected by the landslide .

The direct Venice to Paris sleeper train was discontinued in 2020 and will not resume.  However, you can take an excellent Austrian-run Nightjet train from Venice to Stuttgart, then a high-speed train with restaurant car to Paris.  The Nightjet has cosy sleepers & economical couchettes, breakfast is included.  Deluxe sleepers have their own shower & toilet.  A comfortable and time-effective option which saves half a day, even if it's a long way round.

Option 5 is the same route as options 1 or 2, but with an overnight stop in Turin, which breaks up the trip nicely.

Take an afternoon or early evening Frecciarossa from Venice to Turin in around 4h10, stay overnight in Turin, then take either SNCF's morning TGV or Trenitalia's morning Frecciarossa through the Alps to Paris in around 5h40 (I'd choose the Frecciarossa).

Personally I'd take an earlier Frecciarossa from Venice to Turin (or the afternoon TGV or Frecciarossa from Turin to Paris next day) and spend time exploring wonderful Turin, one of Italy's most under-rated cities, even if you're not a fan of the 1969 Michael Caine film The Italian Job .

In winter when the days are shorter, a key advantage of this option is that you'll see all the alpine scenery in daylight.

Option 6 involves a late afternoon EuroCity train from Venice to Zurich past the lakes & mountains of the Gotthard route, through the world's longest rail tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel .  Overnight stop in Zurich, then a high-speed double-deck TGV-Lyria from Zurich to Paris next morning.  Not only does this break up the trip, it makes it quite time-effective, too.

Option 1, Venice to Paris in a day by Frecciarossa

This option is not currently possible as a ll Milan-Paris Frecciarossas are cancelled because of the landslide.

There's a late-morning departure from Venice to Paris every day

Leave Venice S. Lucia 11:48 or Verona P. Nuova 13:02, change at Milan Centrale (arrive 14:15, depart 15:53) arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 22:34.

You then travel from Milan to Paris by Frecciarossa , with standard, business & executive class, cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Option 2, Venice to Paris in a day by TGV

This is basically the same route as option 1, but using the competing French Railways TGV to Paris instead of Trenitalia's Frecciarossa .  As the TGV offers two afternoon departures from Milan, there's a choice of two departures from Venice.

Venice to Paris, Mondays-Fridays (normal service)

Leave Venice Santa Lucia 08:18 arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi 10:47.  Leave Milan Porta Garibaldi 14:10* arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:14*.

Leave Venice Santa Lucia 11:48 arriving Milan Centrale 14:15.  Leave Milan Porta Garibaldi 16:10 arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 23:19.

* On certain dates this TGV runs earlier, leaving Milan Porta Garibaldi 12:10 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 19:16.

Venice to Paris, Saturdays & Sundays (normal service)

Leave Venice Santa Lucia 08:18 arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi 10:47.  Leave Milan Porta Garibaldi 12:10 arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 19:16.

Update 2024:  Because of the landslide, only 1 TGV is currently running per day, every day, as follows:

Leave Venice Santa Lucia 08:18 arriving Milan Porta Garibaldi 10:47.  Leave Milan Porta Garibaldi 14:10 arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 23:14.

The journey involves a bus transfer from Oulx to St Jean de Maurienne, to get around the landslide.

You travel from Venice to Milan with Trenitalia on either a premier high-speed Frecciarossa (08:18 departure), with standard, premium, business & executive classes, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, or a Frecciargento with 1st & 2nd class, cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about Frecciarossas .  More about Frecciargentos .

You then travel from Turin to Paris by French Railways high-speed TGV , with 1st & 2nd class, cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Alternatively, you can book each train separately, more work, more fiddly, same prices, but no booking fee.

Option 3 , Venice to Paris in a day via Switzerland

Step 1, travel from Venice to Milan by Frecciarossa , leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 07:18, arriving Milan Centrale 09:45.

Later departures are possible with an extra change.  Have a look around the amazing Milan Centrale and maybe you can spot Mussolini !

Step 2, travel from Milan to Zurich by EuroCity train , leaving Milan Centrale 13:10 and arriving Zurich HB 17:27.

Step 3, travel from Zurich to Paris by TGV-Lyria , leaving Zurich HB at 18:34 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 22:42.

The Frecciarossa from Venice to Milan has standard, premium & business class, with a cafe bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It travels across Italy at up to 250 km/h (155 mph).

The EuroCity train from Milan to Zurich is the latest Giruno type with 1st & 2nd class, a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

The Milan-Zurich EuroCity train passes Lake Como and heads through the Alps over the Gotthard route, past pretty Lake Lugano.  On Mondays-Saturdays this train is currently diverted over the classic (extra-scenic!) Gotthard route through the original Gotthard Tunnel of 1882 because of damage to the modern Gotthard Base Tunnel caused by a freight train last year, journey time 4h17.  On Sundays (and every day when they finally fix all the damage) it uses the Gotthard Base Tunnel , the world's longest rail tunnel opened in 2016, journey time 3h17 with an earlier arrival in Zurich.

The TGV-Lyria from Zurich to Paris is an impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck high-speed train with 3 classes, cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views!

Venice to Milan starts at €19.90 in standard class or €29.90 in business class.

Milan to Zurich starts at €29 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.

Using www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com means you can buy everything in one place.  Use whichever you prefer, they're both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead .  Using the time above as your guide, do a dry run for all 3 sectors before booking for real.

Book the Frecciarossa from Venice to Milan and add to basket.

Book the EuroCity train from Milan to Zurich and add to basket.

Book the TGV-Lyria from Zurich to Paris, add this to your basket and check out, paying for all tickets as one transaction.  You print your own tickets or can show them on your phone.

Alternatively, you can book from Venice to Milan then from Milan to Zurich at www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, $ or £, they'll refund their booking fee if you email them at [email protected] ) or at Trenitalia's website www.trenitalia.com (in €, requires Italian-language place names, see advice for using it ).  Then book from Zurich to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).

Lake Lugano on the Gotthard route, seen from the train from Milan to Zurich.

Option 4 , Venice to Paris using the Venice-Stuttgart sleeper

Venice to Stuttgart by sleeper starts at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Stuttgart to Paris by ICE starts at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Option 5, Venice to Paris with overnight stop in Turin

Update:  Because of the landslide, the Frecciarossas are all cancelled, but 1 TGV per day is running: Spend the morning in Turin, then leave Turin Porta Susa at 15:41, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 23:14.  You are transferred by bus from Oulx to St Jean de Maurienne to get around the landslide.

First book from Venice Santa Lucia to Turin Porta Susa and add to basket.  Then book from Turin Porta Susa to Paris (any station) for the following day, add to basket & check out.

Italian trains are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  For the TGV, you print your own tickets or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

Alternatively, you can book each train separately, more effort, more fiddly, same fares, but no booking fee.

Option 6 , Venice to Paris with overnight stop in Zurich

Day 1, travel from Venice or Verona to Zurich by EuroCity train , leaving Venice Santa Lucia at 15:18 or Verona Porta Nuova at 16:32 and arriving Zurich HB at 22:27.

The train has power sockets at all seats and an elegant restaurant car.  It takes the Gotthard route past lakes and mountains, via the world's longest rail tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel .  Treat yourself to dinner with wine in the restaurant car.

This train will revert to arriving at 21:27 once the issues in the Gotthard Base Tunnel are resolved in summer 2024.  In the meantime, it arrives at 22:27 and takes the old scenic Gotthard route 'over the top' taking an extra hour.

Day 2, travel from Zurich to Paris by TGV-Lyria high-speed train in 4h05 on any departure you like.

Venice or Verona to Zurich starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.

Zurich to Paris starts at €29 in 2nd class (standard) or €51 in 1st class (standard premiere).

Book the Venice-Zurich train at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and add it to your basket.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead .  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

Book the Zurich-Paris train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com , add it to your basket and check out, paying for both tickets as one transaction.  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead .  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

Option 7, Venice to Paris via the Bernina Express - the ultimate scenic route

This takes significantly longer and must be split over 2 days, but if you want the ultimate train ride through the Swiss Alps, this option is fabulous - If you still need convincing, watch the video .

Then travel from Milan to Tirano by regional train, leaving Milan Centrale at 10:20 and running alongside Lake Como, arriving Tirano 12:52. 

Now travel from Tirano to Chur on the fabulous Bernina Express narrow-gauge panoramic train , continuing to Zurich by connecting Swiss intercity train.  You leave Tirano at 14:24 and arrive Zurich HB at 19:53.

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Find cheap flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Venice from $38

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from charles de gaulle to venice departing on 7/27. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to venice.

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Cheap flight deals from Charles de Gaulle to Venice (CDG-VCE)

Flights from charles de gaulle to venice - travel insights & trends, get data-powered insights and trends into flights from charles de gaulle to venice to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more., what’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from paris charles de gaulle airport to venice, if you are looking for a flight deal from paris charles de gaulle airport to venice, look for departures on sundays and avoid leaving on a saturday, as it's usually the priciest day. when flying back from venice, monday is the cheapest day to fly and sunday is the most expensive., what is the cheapest month to fly from paris charles de gaulle airport to venice marco polo airport, the cheapest month for flights from paris charles de gaulle airport to venice marco polo airport is november, where tickets cost $81 on average. on the other hand, the most expensive months are august and july, where the average cost of tickets is $170 and $150 respectively., how far in advance should i book a flight from paris charles de gaulle airport to venice marco polo airport, to get a below average price on the flight from paris charles de gaulle airport to venice marco polo airport, you should book around 3 weeks before departure. for the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 57 days before departure., which airlines provide the cheapest flights from paris charles de gaulle airport to venice, in the past 3 days, the cheapest one-way tickets to venice from paris charles de gaulle airport were found on easyjet ($38) and vueling ($93), and the lowest round-trip tickets were found on easyjet ($58) and air france ($141)., which airlines fly non-stop between paris charles de gaulle airport and venice marco polo airport, there are 2 airlines that fly nonstop from paris charles de gaulle airport to venice marco polo airport. they are air france and easyjet. the cheapest airline for this route is easyjet, with the best one-way deal found costing $76. on average, the best prices for this route can be found at easyjet., how many flights are there between paris charles de gaulle airport and venice marco polo airport per day, each day, there are between 8 and 9 nonstop flights that take off from paris charles de gaulle airport and land in venice marco polo airport, with an average flight time of 1h 41m. the most common departure time is 6:00 pm and most flights take off in the morning. each week, there are 58 flights. the most frequent day of departure is friday, when 16% of all weekly flights depart. the fewest flights depart on a tuesday., which cabin class options are there for flights between paris charles de gaulle airport and venice marco polo airport, there are 2 cabin class options for the route. these are business and economy. perform a search on kayak to find the latest prices and availability for all cabin fares, which differ across airlines., how long does a flight from paris charles de gaulle airport to venice take, the average nonstop flight takes 1h 35m, covering a distance of 518 miles., what’s the earliest departure time from paris charles de gaulle airport to venice, early birds can take the earliest flight from paris charles de gaulle airport at 7:10 am and will be landing in venice marco polo airport at 8:55 am., what’s the latest departure time from paris charles de gaulle airport to venice, if you prefer to fly at night, the latest flight from paris charles de gaulle airport to venice marco polo airport jets off at 9:50 pm and lands at 11:30 pm., good to know, when to book flights from charles de gaulle to venice, faqs for booking paris charles de gaulle airport to venice flights, what is the cheapest flight from paris charles de gaulle airport to venice marco polo airport.

In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Venice Marco Polo Airport was $38 for a one-way ticket and $58 for a round-trip.

Do I need a passport to fly between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Venice?

Yes, you'll most likely have to show a valid passport before boarding the plane in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and on arrival in Venice.

Which airports will I be using when flying from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Venice?

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Venice are both served by 1 main airport. You will leave Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport from Paris Charles de Gaulle and will be arriving at Venice Marco Polo.

Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Venice?

The Airbus A320-100/200 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Venice flight route.

Which airline alliances offer flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Venice?

SkyTeam is the only airline alliance operating flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Venice.

On which days can I fly direct from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Venice?

There are nonstop flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Venice on a daily basis.

Which is the best airline for flights from Paris to Venice, Air France or easyJet?

The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Paris to Venice are Air France and easyJet. With an average price for the route of $253 and an overall rating of 7.5, Air France is the most popular choice. easyJet is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $126 and an overall rating of 6.9.

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Venice?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Venice.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Venice?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Venice from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Venice?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Venice with an airline and back to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport with another airline. Booking your flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and VCE can sometimes prove cheaper using this method.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Venice?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Venice from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Top tips for finding a cheap flight from CDG to Venice

• Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $90 or less one-way and $99 or less round-trip.

Prefer to fly non-stop from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Venice?

Find which airlines fly direct from Charles de Gaulle to Marco Polo, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Nonstop departures

Paris Charles de Gaulle to Venice Marco Polo

Air Austral, Air France, China Eastern, +6 more

Air Austral, Air France, +7 more

Nonstop returns

Venice Marco Polo to Paris Charles de Gaulle

Top airlines flying from charles de gaulle to venice.

Excellent apart from transport to actual plane 10 minutes from the actual gate , walking out in the tarmac in the rain and having to climb stairs to enter while holding luggage.

They wanted to close counter although they did not provide the wheelchair requested which ended by going alone to transit security and lost long time and they did not want to wait .

They charge me for luggage which is was included on the ticket

Good aorcraft 777 but Worst food ever Breakfast was a bû’with matonnaise… Staff was nice but invisible most of the flight

Everything went smoothly with Air France. There was a delay in departure which seemed to relate to the immigration services being short staffed.

Food could have been better especially the breakfast. Overall it was a good flight

No bording was given for next trip on same carrier, food was very moderate.

Lost luggage, 2 bags were badly damaged and one of the bags came open.

A couple of minor delays in boarding but very professional and efficient staff.

Even though my seat is a paid seat, I was told to give up my seat to a passenger. I tried to ask the CA to negotiate, and when I spoke in Japanese, the CA fled. I had to find a Japanese CA and ask them to deal with it. . After takeoff, I spilled my coffee, and when I asked the flight attendant for a towel, she told me to wipe it off with a wet tissue. My clothes got wet, so I asked CA for an extra blanket, but I had to wait for an hour.

Nothing! The service was excellent for accessibly challenged passengers, Used lift and all support personnel very helpful. Will fly again.

Worst airline in the world, will never travel in it again.

I am writing to share how your teams can better serve your youngest customers. On 9 January, 2024, I boarded and then de-boarded a flight with my 6 month old daughter. I have four children and travel extensively. Delays happen, but the stress my daughter had to ensure was avoidable with simple and straightforward actions. (1) communicate delays to customers -- Breastfeeding mothers are constantly timing feedings. If delays were communicated, I could have camly fed her instead of attentively waiting for priority boarding. There were no announcements and no updates to the monitor; (2) honor the priority boarding process -- While a staff member waved us in for priority boarding, half the plane boarded while the "priority check-in" representative was preoccupied; (3) anticipate challenges creating unnecessary stress to infants -- after completely ignoring the priority boarding procedure, and knowing that the plane had not even arrived, the team could have offered to board us last. My daughter could have been calm in the waiting area while breastfeeding. Instead my 6 month old was completely unnecessarily stressed in the middle of the jet bridge, packed in solid.

As you would expect from a budget airline Left and arrived on time, no frills, not even a glass of water offered But you get what you pay for

Bohužel zpoždění let o více než 6 hod, způsobil, že jsme nestihli další let.

Total jobs worths over carry on bags, charged £96 extra for bags that were clearly hand luggage

Book cheap flights from Paris to Venice

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Thello Paris to Venice Train

• Post author By railwaytraveller123
• Post date 28th June 2020
• No Comments on Thello Paris to Venice Train

What could be more romantic and fabulous than a train journey from Paris to Venice ? The answer is not a lot… Allowing travellers to hop between two glorious cities, Thello runs overnight trains connecting Paris and Venice in just 13 hours, 47minutes. Passengers depart from Gare de Lyon in the evening and arrive in Venice in the morning , refreshed and ready to explore its grand canals, iconic landmarks and indulge on bellinis. The trains themselves are comfortable, modern and have great facilities, run by Thello ( owned by Trenitalia ) and boasting sleeper cabins, shared compartments and a restaurant and bar car. 

Prices from: €29  Departing from: Gare de Lyon station, Paris Journey length: 1 night

Thello Paris to Venice train route

The train departs from Paris’ Gare de Lyon at 19:15, making a total of eight stops before pulling into Venice’s Santa Lucia station. With a full evening ahead, passengers are able to gaze out of the window as the train rolls into the French countryside, stopping at Dijon before crossing the border into Italy and stopping at Milan. From Milan, the train stops at Brescia, Verona, Vicenza, Padova, Venice Mestre and finally Venice’s Santa Lucia at 09:25 the next morning. The city’s main railway station, Santa Lucia is just a short walk away from central Venice and attractions like St Mark’s Square. Overnight the train passes through the winemaking region of Burgundy and the snow-capped Alps.

Thello Paris to Venice train

Thello is known for its clean, comfortable, modern and safe sleeper trains, and the Paris to Venice train is no different. Passengers spend the night in sleeper cabins or couchette compartments, and there is a restaurant coach with dining and bar service. Trains are generally accessible to mobility impaired passengers, however numbers of wheelchair users permitted on board are limited due to coach design. Pets are welcome on board and shared toilets are located in each coach. 

Cabins on Thello Paris to Venice train

Passengers travelling on Thello sleeper trains can choose from sleeper cabins or couchette compartments, and each comes with a few further options. Sleeper cabins are the most comfortable, with both premium sleeper and standard sleeper available for guests. Premium sleepers sleep two guests and come with a private bathroom with sink, shower and WC. Standard sleepers sleep one to three guests and come with a washbasin.

Couchette compartments are the most affordable, and the Paris to Venice train has both four berths, six berths. Both couchette compartments come with a bedding kit, a bottle of mineral water, Compartments are usually shared with strangers, unless booked by your entire party. Shared toilets and sinks are available in each coach, and the temperature can be adjusted in each compartment. 

Food and drink

With an earlier departure time than many overnight trains, many passengers choose to have dinner on board the Thello night train – in the train’s restaurant car. For dinner, the train offers a large choice or menus, with gourmet dishes, hot meals, light meals and vegetarian options, along with sharing plates and platters The car is open for dinner from 20:00 to 00:00 for dinner and you can book a table before your departure. The bar area is open for the duration of the trip, and is where guests head for snacks, light meals, beverages and breakfast – which conststs of croissants, preserves, cold meats, yoghurts and breads. 

There is no set dress code on the train, but make sure to wear comfortable clothing and pack pyjamas. Those travelling alone might want to dress modestly for bedtime if sharing a couchette compartment with strangers. 

What’s included

Tickets include the journey itself and accommodation on the train, with food and drink available to purchase at an additional cost. Passengers are given a bottle of complimentary mineral water along with a sleep. Passengers travelling in premium sleepers also get a travel kit with toiletries, slippers, a welcome drink and breakfast included in the price of the journey.

Pros and cons

The chance to travel so comfortably and affordably between Paris and Venice is a real pro, and on such a modern and clean train. Other pros include a full French-style dinner service (with wine) and the option to take your pets on board.

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• Tags france , italy , Northern Europe , overnight , Southern Europe , thello

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How to Travel From Venice to Paris: Your Main Options

Are you planning a trip from Venice to Paris but are having trouble working through your options to decide whether to travel by train, plane or car? Venice is a little under 700 miles from Paris, which may lead you to assume that flying is the best-- if the only-- real option. This certainly is the most pragmatic choice if you need to get to Paris as quickly as possible, but if you have a bit more time to enjoy, taking the train or renting a car can offer a more picturesque, and potentially more relaxing and enjoyable, way of getting from one point to the next. Read on for a breakdown of each of your options, as well as their pros and cons.

Flying: The Cheapest & Easiest Way 

The easiest and cheapest way to get from one city to the next is flying. International carriers including Alitalia and Air France and low-cost regional companies such as Easyjet and Ryanair offer daily flights from Venice to Paris, arriving at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport and Orly Airport. Flights to Beauvais Airport located in the far outskirts of Paris (including some Ryanair flights) tend to be a cheaper option, but you'll need to plan on at least an extra hour and fifteen minutes to get to central Paris.

Book flights and complete travel packages at TripAdvisor

Taking the Train: The Picturesque (And Long) Way 

You can get to Paris in roughly 10 hours if you take the train on the Italian side to Milan and then head on to Paris Gare de Lyon from there. It's also more ecologically friendly, generating fewer C02 emissions than flying does-- a definite boon.

On the French side, you'll be traveling along the high-speed TGV rail line, which will speed the journey from there. Overnight direct trains operated by Thello will take close to 14 hours, 30 minutes but do not require transfers. If you have a couple of good books and enjoy staring out the window at the changing landscapes of Italy and France, this might just be a good way to go. 

Driving: Enjoy the Scenery, But Watch Out for Toll Fees 

For those of you who really enjoy a good, long, scenic drive, this is an interesting possibility. It can take upwards of 11 or 12 hours to get to Paris from Venice by car, but it can be an enjoyable way to see northern Italy and France, especially if you're prepared to stop overnight along the way and perhaps explore a town in southern France as an added bonus. Expect to pay rather expensive toll fees at several points throughout the trip, though.

Arriving in Paris by Plane? Plan for Your Ground Transport in Advance 

If you're arriving in Paris by plane, you'll need to figure out how to get to the center of the city from the airports. Read more about the easiest ways to get from point A to B in our complete guide to  Paris ground transport options .

If you're traveling between Paris and other Italian cities, you may be interested in perusing some of our other transport guides. Read up on the best ways to get from  Milan to Paris , from   Rome to Paris  and from  Florence to Paris . Since the latter two cities are significantly further away from the French capital than Venice is, the best options for getting to and from the French capital are not necessarily the same. 

The overnight train operated by Thello takes around 14 hours and 30 minutes. You can get to Paris from Venice in around 10 hours, but you'll have to transfer trains in Milan.

Nonstop flights take around one hour, 45 minutes.

The two cities are just under 700 miles (1,126 kilometers) apart.

How to Travel From Florence to Paris by Train, Bus, Plane, and Car

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Cheap flights from Paris to Venice

Good to know, when is the cheapest time to fly, popular airports near paris.

• Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) Paris 35 min 22 km
• Aéroport de Paris-Orly (ORY) Paris 32 min 15 km
• Paris Beauvais Airport (BVA) Paris 1 hr 22 min 68 km
• Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) Brussels 3 hr 2 min 234 km

Popular airports near Venice

• Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) Venice 16 min 7 km
• Treviso Airport (TSF) Venice 35 min 25 km
• Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) Milan 3 hr 10 min 280 km
• Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY) Milan 2 hr 19 min 205 km

Frequently asked questions about flying from Paris to Venice

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These suggestions are based on the cheapest fares to popular destinations in the next six months.

Prices include required taxes + fees for 1 adult. Optional charges and bag fees may apply.

• London RUB 4,785 Jun 28 — Jun 30 Nonstop 1 hr 10 min easyJet
• Barcelona RUB 5,245 Jun 6 — Jun 10 Nonstop 1 hr 45 min Ryanair
• Milan RUB 3,057 Jun 20 — Jun 24 Nonstop 1 hr 30 min Ryanair
• Madrid RUB 5,150 May 30 — Jun 3 Nonstop 2 hr 10 min Ryanair

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Follow live: Adult film star Stormy Daniels takes the stand and is expected to discuss 'sexual acts' with Trump that led to hush money payments

Venice launches world first tourist entrance fee in bid to fight overcrowding

VENICE, Italy — Ancient and beautiful, this city is sometimes referred to as an open air museum — and now visitors to Venice will have to pay an entry fee after the tourist hub on Thursday became the first in the world to introduce a charging system for day-trippers.

In a bid to thin out the crowds that throng to see the canals, bridges and striking architecture during vacation season, day-trippers will have to pay 5 euros ($5.35) to enter the lagoon city on 29 peak days, mostly on weekends, as part of a trial phase until July 14. 

Tourists who have booked at least one night at a hotel in the city will be exempt from the charge, as will residents, workers and students in the city. Visitors under age 14 will also be exempt. But like the day-trippers, they will also have to ensure they have registered online and received QR codes.  

Those without smartphones will have to go to the city’s Santa Lucia train station to buy tickets. 

Among the thousands of people lining up at the station for a ticket Thursday was Donna Porter-Mutchler, a tourist from Tennessee, who told NBC News she thought the charge was “a wonderful idea.”  

“Venice deserves to be taken care of,” she said. “I think it’s more than worth it. I come here often, and I’ll pay every time.” 

While there will be no limits on the number of people who can register, officials hope the fee will put people off on days it applies. 

“We are not looking to collect money, tax people or introduce a police state,” Simone Venturini, Venice’s tourism councilor, told NBC News. “We are being democratic about it, but the important message is: ‘Please, if you are a day-tripper, choose another day.’”

While there are no turnstiles at the city’s entrance points to make sure people have passes, inspectors will make random checks and issue fines of 50 to 300 euros to anyone who has failed to register.

Prominent signs across the city and a TV and newspaper advertising campaign have been launched in Italy and some other countries to let people know about it. And with the help of artificial intelligence , Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has also recorded a video message in several languages to inform tourists about the charge.  

Officials in the city estimate an average of 50,000 people a day visit Venice, an influx that almost matches the resident population, some of whom are unhappy about the new charge.  

“Venice has turned into Disneyland, where tourists are catered more than residents, and charging $5 is not going to stop anyone,” Federica Toninello of the Social Assembly for Housing and the Solidarity Network for Housing in Venice said Thursday. “It’s just propaganda.”

Others, like tourist guide Luisella Romeo, said they were concerned about the use of personal data collected by the new system. “That’s an invasion of privacy. Those details will remain in the system for five years and could be given to third parties, public and private,” she said. 

But officials in the city, which narrowly escaped being placed on UNESCO’s “World Heritage in Danger” list last year, in part because the United Nations body decided that it was not addressing concerns that its delicate ecosystem risked being overwhelmed by mass tourism, have insisted that something needed to be done. 

Three years ago, large cruise ships were banned from sailing into the Venetian lagoon , and the city has also announced limits on the sizes of tourist groups.

While the charge in Venice is still in its experimental stage, other popular Italian tourism destinations, like Lake Como, which has struggled with overcrowding for years, are watching closely.

Only time will tell whether it ends up dead in the water.  

Claudio Lavanga is Rome-based foreign correspondent for NBC News.

Watch CBS News

Pope Francis visits Venice in first trip outside of Rome in seven months

April 28, 2024 / 3:18 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Pope Francis made his first trip out of Rome in seven months on Sunday with a visit to Venice that included an art exhibition, a stop at a prison and a Mass.

Venice has always been a place of contrasts, of breathtaking beauty and devastating fragility, where history, religion, art and nature have collided over the centuries to produce an otherworldly gem of a city. But even for a place that prides itself on its culture of unusual encounters, Francis' visit on Sunday stood out.

Francis traveled to the lagoon city to visit the Holy See's pavilion at the Biennale contemporary art show and meet with the people who created it. But because the Vatican decided to mount its exhibit in Venice's women's prison, and invited inmates to collaborate with the artists, the whole project assumed a far more complex meaning, touching on Francis' belief in the power of art to uplift and unite, and of the need to give hope and solidarity to society's most marginalized.

His trip began at the courtyard of the Giudecca prison, where he met with women inmates one by one.

"Paradoxically, a stay in prison can mark the beginning of something new, through the rediscovery of the unsuspected beauty in us and in others, as symbolized by the artistic event you are hosting and the project to which you actively contribute," Francis told them.

The 87-year-old pontiff then met with Biennale artists in the prison chapel, decorated with an installation by Brazilian visual artist Sonia Gomes of objects dangling from the ceiling, meant to draw the viewer's gaze upward.

The Vatican exhibit has turned the Giudecca prison, a former convent for reformed prostitutes, into one of the must-see attractions of this year's Biennale, even though to see it visitors must reserve in advance and go through a security check. It has become an unusual art world darling that greets visitors at the entrance with Maurizio Cattelan's wall mural of  two giant filthy feet , a work that recalls Caravaggio's dirty feet or the feet that Francis washes each year in a Holy Thursday ritual that he routinely performs on prisoners.

The exhibit also includes a short film starring the inmates and Zoe Saldana, and prints in the prison coffee shop by onetime Catholic nun and American social activist Corita Kent.

Francis' dizzying morning visit, which ended with Mass in St. Mark's Square, represented an increasingly rare outing for the 87-year-old pontiff, who has been hobbled by health and mobility problems that have ruled out any foreign trips so far this year.

"Venice, which has always been a place of encounter and cultural exchange, is called to be a sign of beauty available to all," Francis said. "Starting with the least, a sign of fraternity and care for our common home."

During an encounter with young people at the iconic Santa Maria della Salute basilica, Francis acknowledged the miracle that is Venice, admiring its "enchanting beauty" and tradition as a place of East-West encounter, but warning that it is increasingly vulnerable to climate change and depopulation.

"Venice is at one with the waters upon which it sits," Francis said. "Without the care and safeguarding of this natural environment, it might even cease to exist."

in the exhibit as tour guides and as protagonists in some of the artworks.

Ahead of his trip, Francis sat down with "CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell during an hourlong interview at the guest house where he lives in Rome. 

During the interview, Francis pleaded for peace worldwide amid the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza .

"Please. Countries at war, all of them, stop the war. Look to negotiate. Look for peace," said the pope, speaking through a translator.

He also had a message for those who do not see a place for themselves in the Catholic Church anymore. 

"I would say that there is always a place, always. If in this parish the priest doesn't seem welcoming, I understand, but go and look elsewhere, there is always a place," he said. "Do not run away from the Church. The Church is very big. It's more than a temple ... you shouldn't run away from her."

The pope's Venice trip was the first of four planned inside Italy in the next three months, Reuters reported. He is scheduled to visit Verona in May and Trieste in July, and is expected to attend the June summit of Group of Seven (G7) leaders in Bari.

In September, he is also set to embark on the longest foreign trip of his papacy, traveling to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

An extended version of O'Donnell's interview with Pope Francis will air on "60 Minutes" on Sunday, May 19 at 7 p.m. ET. On Monday, May 20, CBS will broadcast an hourlong primetime special dedicated to the papal interview at 10 p.m. ET on the CBS Television Network and streaming on  Paramount+ . Additionally, CBS News and Stations will carry O'Donnell's interview across platforms. 

• Pope Francis
• Catholic Church

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Venice to Paris: 7 romantic cities in the World

Explore the world's most romantic cities: Paris with its iconic landmarks, Venice's charming canals, Kyoto's traditional charm, Santorini's stunning vistas, Prague's fairytale ambiance, Florence's Renaissance beauty, and Buenos Aires' passionate culture

Discover the epitome of romance in these seven captivating cities, each offering unique experiences and enchanting atmospheres for couples worldwide

Known as the 'City of Love,' Paris offers iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, charming streets, world-class cuisine, and scenic river cruises along the Seine

With its network of canals, historic architecture, gondola rides, and intimate alleyways, Venice exudes romance at every turn, especially during sunset

Famous for its stunning sunsets, white-washed buildings with blue-domed roofs, and breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea, Santorini is a dream destination for couples

Renowned for its traditional Japanese culture, Kyoto boasts beautiful temples, serene gardens, and picturesque cherry blossom spots, creating a romantic atmosphere

With its fairytale-like charm, Prague offers cobblestone streets, historic architecture, scenic bridges over the Vltava River, and cozy cafes perfect for romance

Home to Renaissance art and architecture, Florence provides romantic walks along the Arno River, breathtaking views from Piazzale Michelangelo, and intimate dining experiences

Known for its passionate tango dancing, Buenos Aires offers vibrant neighborhoods, beautiful parks like Palermo, and a rich cultural scene ideal for romantic getaways

Inside look at Pope Francis' visit to Venice from St. Mark's Square

With a message of hope and faith, this fifth Sunday of Easter, Pope Francis has left Italy's iconic canal-filled city of Venice, after an intense morning, that marked his first pastoral visit, and travel outside of Rome, since the start of the year. This day trip represents the first of others in Italy in the months to come, and falls before his whirlwind four-country Apostolic Visit to Asia and Oceania in September.

At the Holy Father's Mass in St. Mark's Square, the Holy Father offered comforting words to the faithful, telling them to remain in the Lord, clarifying that this does not mean staying still, but rather, letting the Lord's love and closeness empower us.

During his subsequent Regina Coeli address, before he privately venerated the relics of St. Mark, whose feast day was 25 April, inside St. Mark's Basilica, the Holy Father made heartfelt appeals for peace and an end to the suffering around the world, especially in Haiti, Ukraine, and the Holy Land.

First Pope to visit Venice Art Biennial

The Pope had arrived by helicopter, early this morning, in the women's prison on the Giudecca island to visit the Holy See Pavilion of the world-renowned Venice Art Biennial, a major international contemporary art exhibition. This year, the Biennial, which began in 1895, marks its 60th edition.

Pope Francis' visit also marked the first time a Pope has ever visited the event.

With the title ' With my eyes', the Pavilion, designed to remember in a special way human rights and the marginalized, was commissioned by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See, and curated by Chiara Paris and Bruno Racine. The Pavilion is housed inside the prison facility, the same prison where Pope St. John Paul II celebrated Mass when he visited Venice in 1985.

Encounters of joy and emotion

Upon Pope Francis' arrival to the prison, he held a moving encounter with detainees, which follows less than a month with his having washed the feet of women prisoners on Holy Thursday at the Rebbibia prison in Rome.

The Pope told the prisoners to always look to the future, to have hope, and that nothing can rob that hope. He also warmly urged them, smiling, to pray for him, before gifting them an icon of the Blessed Mother, reminding them of the exemplary, maternal tenderness of Mary. It was a very emotional encounter, bringing tears to the eyes of many.

Thereafter, Pope Francis met with artists associated with the pavilion, among others, in the prison chapel. After being welcomed by Cardinal Mendonça, he encouraged them in their creativity, as he had done a year ago when addressing artists in the Sistine Chapel.

This visit will be remembered as well for its images. It was quite a scene to see the Pope's transport by patrol boat across the canal during his time in the lagoon city, to the Basilica of Maria della Salute, for the meeting with young people. We even saw him humbly pass through the vaporetto stop, which is the ordinary transit stop for tourists.

There, he encouraged young people from Venice and Veneto to remember how precious they are to God, saying that even when they may feel they do not measure up, that they should try to see themselves as God sees them.

Across the canal

From there, to reach St. Mark's Square, for the day's culminating events, Pope Francis boarded his popemobile across a provisional bridge created upon boats that connected the area of the Santa Maria della Salute to St. Mark's Square. 

In the midst of all this, from what had been somewhat dreary, grey weather, the Holy Father, in time for the Mass, seemed to bring, with him, the sun.

While all this happened in very few hours, the impact and moments of Pope Francis' visit to Venice, surely, will never be forgotten.

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