Continuing your journey past Venice when you arrive in Italy can be a smart move, especially if Rome is your final destination. Navigating Venice to reach your hotel after a long flight can be surprisingly time-consuming and challenging, often involving numerous bridges that become obstacles when you’re handling luggage. Even if you choose a hotel near Piazzale Roma, where the airport bus terminates, you’ll likely face at least one bridge crossing, and accommodation in that area tends to be expensive. For instance, a small double room in a reasonably priced hotel in late September can easily cost around $350. Then, the next morning, to catch your train to Rome, you’d either have to tackle the modern, but daunting, bridge over the Grand Canal to get to the train station – a considerable effort with luggage – or pay for a vaporetto ride just to cross one stop of the canal. It’s a lot of hassle for a Venice hotel, particularly if you’re planning to properly explore Venice later in your trip.
Consider an alternative: when taking the airport bus, get off at Mestre and hop on a train towards Rome from there. However, instead of going all the way to Rome immediately – a nearly 4-hour journey – consider breaking up your travel. Get off the train in Ferrara, a mere 50 minutes from Mestre. Ferrara is a charming small city, perfect for easing into your Italian adventure and recovering from jet lag. Its delightful pedestrian zone and piazza offer ample space to stroll, alongside numerous shops and restaurants easily accessible. The real bonus? A lovely boutique hotel located just steps from the Ferrara train station. The city’s main piazza is also a pleasant 10-15 minute walk along a pedestrian path.
You could find yourself relaxing in your Ferrara hotel in less time than it would take to reach a hotel in Venice itself. You’ll likely pay less for your accommodation, enjoy exploring this pleasant and less crowded city for the afternoon, and benefit from a shorter train journey to Rome the following day when you continue your Travel From Venice To Rome By Train.
