Your driver will meet you at your address in Bologna.
You’ll travel in comfort for 1 h 50 min.
Your driver will drop you off at your address in Venice.
Buckle up and get ready to head from Bologna to Venice. The distance between these northern Italian cities is about 96 miles (154 km) and the drive will take about two hours, give or take the speed and traffic. On your way to the “City of Canals,” you’ll have several sightseeing stops inviting you to hop out of the car and explore them on foot.
Starting in Bologna, the “Learned City”, you can head northeast towards Ferrara. This Renaissance city, just 31 miles (50 km) from Bologna, is famous for its well-preserved historical center and the Estense Castle. Continuing your northbound trip, head to Padua. Located about 75 miles (120 km) from Bologna, Padua invites you to see the world’s first botanical garden which was established in 1545.
Making these stops during the day will break up the distance but also make the drive more enjoyable.
The car trip from Bologna to Venice culminates in one of the most unique cities in the world. Venice, known as "La Serenissima," has a history that dates back over a thousand years. You’ve seen the images online, but did you know that Venice is comprised of about 120 islands? Not only that but there are roughly 440 bridges connecting different parts of the city together.
In 2020, there were around 258,600 residents in greater Venice. Zooming into the historical island city of Venice, the number of residents was about 51,000—this is very little compared to the number of tourists they get yearly.
Each year, about 20 million visitors come to Venice to check its waters, most of whom don’t stay overnight but make it a day trip.
Clocked as one of Europe’s most romantic cities, Venice is also one of Europe’s most strategic cities. The city's location on the Adriatic Sea made it a hub of commerce and culture, attracting traders and artisans from around the globe. \
Its intricate canal system allows for more convenient transportation and trading. The Grand Canal, the main waterway, is lined with palaces that showcase the wealth and artistic achievement of the city during its zenith. \
There are roads in Venice. So, if you decide to drive just remember that you might have to park your car on the mainland side of Venice. Once you hit the historic center you’ll have to trade in your car for a gondola.
Traveling by car for a day trip from Bologna to Venice requires some planning.
For starters, in case of an emergency, you should know how to swim before going to Venice. But if you’d like to swim in the canals for fun, be prepared to pay a fine for a couple of hundred euros as diving into the canals is illegal.
Next up is safety! Italy is generally safe, but it’s advisable to keep your belongings tucked away in case there are pickpockets. The real danger comes from the water. If you are drinking, don’t walk near the edges, and if you’re taking pictures, try to put your phone inside a waterproof case.
While making payments, don’t ever assume that you can just pay with your card. Have cash on hand. Even though Italy is a part of the Eurozone, smaller shops and vendors are far more likely to only accept cash. You should also alert your bank of your travel plans to prevent unwanted card suspensions.
A car trip from Bologna to Venice is just one of several ways to travel between these two cities. Each mode of transport offers its own pros and cons.
Driving from Bologna to Venice allows for flexibility and the opportunity to explore stops along the way. The distance is approximately 96 miles (154 km), and it takes around two hours. The cost of driving includes fuel and potential tolls, and you'll need to park your car on the outskirts of Venice, as the city is car-free.
The train goes from Bologna Centrale to Venezia S. Lucia. This option is very popular. The train is fast, and tickets range from $10 to $60 (€9-€65). The faster trains take about 90 minutes to transport you, and the other trains will take about two hours and 10 minutes.
Traveling by bus is another cost-effective option. The tickets are cheap, ranging from $8 to $22 (€7.50-€20). Although buses move at a slower rate than trains, the duration of the ride can be up to two hours and 45 minutes.
There are no direct flights from Bologna to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). If you’re dying to soar the skies and willing to handle a layover, you can take a plane and fly for 5 hours to arrive in Venice. This doesn’t include the time that you need to wait at the airport and the time it takes to arrive there early.
Avoid parking fees and add comfort to your drip. Daytrip’s private car service will pick you up wherever you are in Bologna and take you to the closest drop-off point in Venice. Each driver speaks English, each car has AC, and you can customize your road trip by adding stops along the way.
You’ve done it; you’ve made it from Bologna to Venice. Now, what’s next? It’s time to explore the city.
A must-see stop in Venice is St. Mark’s Basilica and Square. Wrapped in the heart of Venice, the current structure was rebuilt in 1063 and takes us back to a time when the city’s Byzantine and Gothic influences were strong.
Next up on the list is Doge’s Palance. It was established in 1340 and showcases opulent chambers, creepy prisons, and the Bridge of Sighs. If you’d like to see more local life, then head over to the oldest of the four bridges in the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge. It’s a pedestrian bridge that practically begs you to take a view of the Grand Canal from up top.
Try the traditional food. You won’t regret it. Venice cooks up and serves dishes like bigoli in salsa, sarde in saor, and baccala mantecato. There’s also the infamous spritz that you can drink at an old Venetian tavern, also known as a bacaro.
And since you’re in Venice, Italy, taking cooking classes and going out for wine tasting are no-brainers. You can learn the secrets of Venetian kitchen culture and savor regional flavors and scents through wine tours. There are also bacaro tours available!
If your taste buds are prepared for optimal dining experiences, then try out one of Venice’s Michelin-starred restaurants, Quadri or Canova. These are great ways to experience traditional Italian food coupled with ground-breaking cooking techniques.
A traveler must take gondola rides. This slow-paced form of travel will allow you to explore the nooks and crannies of Venice from the water. This experience is unique to the city. Historically, the gondoliers could only receive a license from their fathers as they were passed down from generation to generation. In the instance of there not being a male heir, the license would go to another male in the family.
Traveling from Bologna to Venice can be tricky, and maybe not for the reasons you think. The city is slowly sinking, and sea levels are slowly rising. Waters start to roll in from the Adriatic between fall and early spring, increasing flood tides.
Ultimately, the best time to visit Venice depends on your preferences for weather, crowd levels, and local events. These events don’t typically stop tourists from seeing the city unless conditions are extreme.
From May to August, there are over 14 hours of sunshine each day. Temperatures range from 71.6°F to 83.1°F (22°C to 28.4°C).
All Daytrip drivers speak English* as well as their native language (and sometimes additional languages too!). They'll be happy to discuss local history and culture with you, as well as answer any questions you may have. And because they speak the language, they're able to provide you with a unique opportunity to connect with local culture. *Drivers for Lite service aren't required to speak English but must meet all other standards.
We screen all our drivers for criminal and traffic records, and personally interview each one. We also inspect their cars for safety, comfort, and reliability. All cars must be less than ten years old, in excellent operating condition, and insured as required by local law. And because our drivers are locals, they're familiar with the rules and customs of the road.
If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!
Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).
Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
Every traveler deserves real insight into the cultures of the countries they’re visiting. And every amazing place on Earth deserves to be visited and appreciated. We believe unique local knowledge and real human connection are irreplaceable when it comes to truly comprehending another culture.
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