Private car transfer
from Zurich to Venice

Arriving in Venice by car is tricky for foreigners, but not for your local driver. They will drop you off as close to your hotel as possible, given Venice’s lack of roads. You won’t be worrying about how to return a rental car or how safe the massive parking garages are on the edge of the islands. Venice will be yours to explore as soon as the transfer is over!

The timber poles gradually petrified over time into stone-like beams due to the chemical composition of the marshes. Venice continued to grow despite its unusual foundation. Today, it sits atop about 120 islands and is connected by endless bridges and ferries.

The Republic of Venice

As refugees who would rather build an entire world from the ground up than live under Hun rule, Venetians became known for their independent society and unique government structure.

The Republic of Venice was governed by an elected Doge and a complex web of local councils. They were master sailors and built their wealth through trade, banking, and salt production from their easy access to the sea.

After a devastating loss to Napoleon Bonaparte in 1797, the Republic of Venice was folded into a series of neighboring empires until joining the Kingdom of Italy in 1866.

The future of Venice

In 1987, Venice became a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its contributions to artisan crafts like glass-blowing, engineering prowess, and unique adaptation to the surrounding environment. It is an incredibly popular destination but must balance its popularity with the preservation of its legacy. Dams, levees, and visitor taxes are a few such interventions in place to keep Venice around for centuries to come.

Bring a portable battery pack

Before leaving Zurich, charge your portable battery pack and put it in your personal bag so your phone will always have a full charge. Take pictures and videos, and stay connected without fear of running out of battery.

Venice does not allow cars, but your driver will take you as close as possible to your accommodation. You won’t have to worry about expensive parking garages on the edge of the city or about returning the car after a long trip. You’ll be free to explore Venice!

Zurich to Venice by train

In the summers, Trenitalia has one direct train per day from Zurich’s main train station to Venice’s St. Lucia station. It leaves at 7:33 AM and arrives in downtown Venice at 2:42 PM. Tickets cost between $130 and $217 (€120-€200); however, the cheapest seats sell out weeks ahead of time. During less busy seasons, departures may be less frequent or may require a transfer.

Zurich to Venice by plane

Direct flights from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) are operated by SWISS airlines. They have three flights per day and tickets start at $293 (€270). The flight is one hour long, but after factoring in transportation to the airport, the check-in process, deplaning, and the final taxi to Venice, you are looking at a 7-hour long journey door-to-door.

Zurich to Venice by bus

Direct buses for this route are few and far between. Switzerland’s mountainous roads make bus travel slow and uncomfortable, but Flixbus has one direct connection daily. The trip takes nine hours and leaves Zurich at 7:30 AM.

Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark's Basilica)

Not a single expense was spared in the commissioning of the basilica. Its elaborate mosaics, ornate carvings, and intricate detailing leave more to be uncovered with every turn. Like an optical illusion, the longer you study its statuettes, arched doorways, and marble columns, the more details emerge.

Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace)

A mere couple of steps from St. Mark’s Square, off of a smaller square, is the Palazzo Ducale. Venetians were ruled by a Doge, and during their reign, their home was the Doge's Palace. It also served as the home of the government and a symbol of Venice’s incredible wealth. A visit to Venice is incomplete without a tour of its lavish interior.

Venice’s glass prison: Murano Island

Venetian glass is a world-renowned artisan craft with a dark history. Murano Island was Venice’s solution to an age-old problem: factory fires. Glass production requires very hot fires, but with Venice’s unique layout, a single devastation fire could destroy the entire republic. Glassblowers were made to live on Murano Island to isolate their dangerous profession from the rest of Venice.

To preserve the secret techniques and styles of glass-blowing, artisans had to ask for permission to leave the island, and very few people outside of industry professionals could come to Murano. Today, however, it is a quick boat ride away!