Venice from Rome: Private Day Trip by Train with Islands
One day, two lagoon islands, and the heart of Venice on foot
A private day trip from Rome to Venice by high-speed train includes hotel pickup, a private local guide, a 3.5-hour boat tour of the glassmaking island of Murano and the lace-making island of Burano, and a 3-hour walking tour of Venice's main sights: St. Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Rialto Bridge. The guide walks you back to the station along the city's narrow streets, and you return to Rome the same evening.
Step-by-step itinerary
Venice day trip from Rome
- Hotel pickup in Rome
- Train ride to Venice
- Boat transfer to Murano
- Watch glassmaking demonstration
- Boat transfer to Burano
- Explore colorful Burano island
- Visit St. Mark's Square area
- See Bridge of Sighs
- Walk to Rialto Bridge and Fish Market
- Return train ride to Rome
- Hotel dropoff in Rome
- Murano 5m
- Burano 2h
- St. Mark's Square 1h 30m
- Rialto Bridge 5h
What’s included
- Private local guide in English, Italian, French or German for the islands and Venice walking tour.
- round-trip high-speed train tickets from Rome to Venice.
- hotel pickup and dropoff in Rome.
- 3.5-hour private boat tour of Murano and Burano with transfers.
- 3-hour private walking tour of Venice including St. Mark's Square, Bridge of Sighs, and Rialto Bridge.
- Every day 07:00
Information
Private day trip from Rome to Venice by high-speed train with private guide, boat tour of Murano and Burano, and walking tour of St. Mark's Square and Rialto Bridge.
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The experience
Can you really see Venice in a day from Rome? Yes, if the timing works perfectly, and that's the whole point of this tour. Your driver picks you up at your Rome hotel and takes you to the railway station, where a staff member hands you your high-speed train tickets. The train reaches Venice in 4 hours, and your private guide meets you on the platform holding a sign with your name. From there, the day moves without gaps: boat transfer to Murano, the glassmaking island where you watch artisans blow molten glass into chandeliers and vessels. Then Burano, where the fishermen's houses are painted in bright colors so they could find their way home through the fog, and lacemaking has been the trade for centuries. The boat tour runs 3.5 hours and includes both transfers and the time on each island.
Back on the main island, you spend 3 hours walking Venice with your guide. St. Mark's Square opens the city: the Basilica with its domes and golden mosaics, the Doge's Palace in Gothic stone, the Campanile rising from the vast plaza. You cross the Bridge of Sighs, the enclosed limestone arch where prisoners caught their last glimpse of freedom. The Rialto Bridge, Venice's most famous landmark, spans the Grand Canal and sits above the centuries-old fish market. Your guide walks you through the colorful alleys to reach it, showing you how the city actually moves. The guide then accompanies you back to the railway station for the return train to Rome, arriving at your hotel the same evening.
Your guide speaks English, Italian, French or German and stays with you throughout the islands and the walking tour. A gondola ride is available if you want it. You pay the gondolier 90 euros cash for up to five passengers. The train has a restaurant car, bar, vending machines, free WiFi, and USB outlets in every seat, so you can eat and recharge during the journey. Because the private boats have tight docks and heavy lagoon traffic, they cannot wait more than 3 to 5 minutes for boarding, so punctuality matters. The operator suggests sharing your WhatsApp number so they can coordinate if needed. St. Mark's Basilica charges separate admission (15 euros for the church, 30 euros with the terrace), and lunch is not included, though a quick break for snacks will be arranged by the staff.
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, French, German and Italian.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 4): free.
How much time do you actually spend walking around Venice itself?
The walking tour of Venice runs 3 hours and covers St. Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Rialto Bridge with your private guide. The rest of the day is split between the 4-hour train rides and the 3.5-hour boat tour of Murano and Burano.
What is Murano, and what will you see there?
Murano is the island famous for Venetian glassmaking. You watch artisans blow molten glass into shape (chandeliers, bowls, vessels), and see how the craft works firsthand. The boat tour includes time to walk the island and watch the demonstrations.
Can you visit St. Mark's Basilica, or just see it from outside?
St. Mark's Basilica is included in the walking tour, but entry tickets are separate and cost 15 euros for the church or 30 euros if you want to climb to the terrace. Your guide will point you toward tickets if you want to go inside.
What happens if you want to take a gondola ride?
A gondola ride is optional and costs 90 euros paid in cash directly to the gondolier. It fits up to five passengers. Your guide can arrange it if you decide during the day.
Is there time to eat on this trip?
The train has a restaurant car, bar, and vending machines, so you can buy food during the 4-hour journey. The operator suggests having a snack on the train rather than waiting for a meal stop in Venice, since the day moves quickly. A quick break for typical snacks will be organized by the staff.
Operated by Rome Guided Visit. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated today
Venice from Rome: Private Day Trip by Train with Islands
14h · EN · FR · DE · IT · at your hotel
from € 918 per person
≈ US$ 1,031 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.