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We are going to Garda next week and would like to visit Venice and Milan whilst we are there, I believe the rail network is really good to get to both places from Peschiera del Garda whuch is where we will be staying?

Has anyone done this trip and have you any idea on cost? Would it be better to drive?

Thanks

We did it some years ago, but from Desenzano del Garda to Venice.  It was great.  From the Railway Station in Venice you can get a water taxi all the way down the Grand Canal which takes you through all the most fantastic views.  I don't think I'd bother driving - I have no idea how much it cost us but I think the trip took a couple of hours.  If I remember rightly there were 'local' trains and intercity type trains.  The journey took less time, but cost more on the intercity, and took more time but cost less on the regional train.  We caught the regional train!  A lady in the same carriage shared her 'breakfast' with us and it was a really interesting 'local' journey!

I should have said we set off really early in the morning, and got back quite late at night, but we had a fantastic day in Venice.

Thanks for that I have been on the rail website but only managed to get a price for the eurostar the faster more expensive train and its 20euros each and kids over 12 (which ours are) are adult prices so it would be 160euro round trip fingers crossed the regional train you mention is cheaper.

We are staying at Lazise to, are hoping to arrive on site 15th August sail on 13th and planning two stopovers. Have you seen any weather for there?? I have just read someones post about the awful weather they have had in France over the last fortnight!! we were going to Italy this year purposly to head further south for the weather, went to Annecy last year it was okay but very hit and miss.

Kaz

Try here http://www.italiarail.com/ You may have to leave you e-mail address for them to get back to you.

If you get the Vaporetto outside the station to go down the Grand Canal avoid Line 1 (I think thats the right one) as it stops at every stop all the way down to St Marks.

David

Try Trenitalia too - I don't think it's the same as David's link, and has just given me a local train at 8.51 from Desenzano-del-Garda (Sirmione), at €10.05 (second class fare) or €15.50 (first class) - and the Intercity train is €32.00 first class and 23.50 second class.  Days/times/dates all seem to lead to different fares and the return journey is a different price to outwards!

We didn't try to book in advance - I'm not even sure it would have been possible, but did find out details from the Railway station a couple of days before we decided to go!

Just another thought, email your campsite and check if they do organised trips to Venice - they may have a coach company they use???

Thanks all thats brilliant and really helpful, we weren't planning on buying tickets until the day we travel, but just doing some research so we could plan cost etc.

Val I went on Trentitalia.com but I could only get the 20 euro plus fares up however I was putting from Peschiera del Garda station as I thought that would be the nearest to Lazise? I will try with the other station that you have mentioned. It is good to know there are cheaper trains, good idea to check trips from the site too. Thanks

David is the vaperetto the water bus? the cheaper option?

Taffy we are hoping to stay at Camping Spiaggia D'Oro which must be pretty near du parc looking at the map. It will be our first visit to Italy with the van so glad to hear such favourable reports from you all

Quote: Originally posted by Kaz16 on 01/8/2011

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David is the vaperetto the water bus? the cheaper option?

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Yes its the water bus. The 3 times we have been to Venice we have stayed at either Punta Sabbioni or Ca Savio and crossed to St Marks on the ferry. If you intend to use the Vaperettos a lot a day ticket would be worth while. I like the launch style ones that cross over to the Lido. They now have a new electronic system for tickets a bit like the Oyster card on the London Underground. THis link should explain everything http://www.actv.it/en/company/company

David