train time after debarking in Venice

[luv2vacation]

I am cruising on the Fantasia from Venice. The ship is due to arrive at 8 am. I need to book a train to Milan after arrival. Will 12:00 be about right or should I pick a later train time? I have searched for the answer but haven't been successful in finding the answer. Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Skipper Tim]

I am cruising on the Fantasia from Venice. The ship is due to arrive at 8 am. I need to book a train to Milan after arrival. Will 12:00 be about right or should I pick a later train time? I have searched for the answer but haven't been successful in finding the answer. Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

The ban on the Fantasia class entering Venice will not have come into effect so, putting aside predicting the future weather, if you arrive on time, 12:00 is certainly late enough. It takes around 7 minutes to walk off the ship, through the terminal and the port to the 'people mover' (light railway -€1). Two minutes later you are in Piazale Roma and it is another 5 minutes walk to the Santa Lucia railway station.

 

So there is time to have a leisurely breakfast, allow the crowds to subside and even have a wander around Venice before 12:00.

 

Tim.

[AmoMondo]

I agree that is plenty time. Depending on the time of year, fog can be an issue at Venice but even if you didn't get off until 11, you'd still make it in time. There are occasionally protest in Venice but they tend not to close everything down but just delay things a bit.

 

All being well you could be off the ship as early as 9-9.30 or do as Tim suggests and let the initial furore die down and go off around 10-10.30.

[luv2vacation]

Thank you both for the helpful advise. I was tempted to pick an earlier train time but I wanted to allow a cushion in case of a late arrival back into Venice. I plan on trying to get a discounted rate for my train ticket and I know they are non refundable. It will be in May of 2014. Is May a bad time for fog?

[Skipper Tim]

Is May a bad time for fog?

 

No.The sun is one month before its peak.

 

Tim.

[Dancer Bob]

With luggage, I'd allow more like an hour to walk to the station, find the right platform, etc. Still plenty of time, but if carrying your luggage is going to be a bit of a challenge, you could consider catching the train in Mestre, it's possible to take a taxi there.

[luv2vacation]

With luggage, I'd allow more like an hour to walk to the station, find the right platform, etc. Still plenty of time, but if carrying your luggage is going to be a bit of a challenge, you could consider catching the train in Mestre, it's possible to take a taxi there.

 

I don't think we will have a problem with our luggage but may decide at the last minute the Mestre train station is a better idea. Do you think they will still let us board at the Mestre station if our tickets say we are supposed to board at the Santa Lucia station? I think it is the same price so I don't see what difference it would make but I wouldn't want to take a chance of getting kicked off of the train or fined.

[Skier52]

I am cruising on the Fantasia from Venice. The ship is due to arrive at 8 am. I need to book a train to Milan after arrival. Will 12:00 be about right or should I pick a later train time? I have searched for the answer but haven't been successful in finding the answer. Thanks for any help you can offer.

Here is a link to a thread about train times

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1908656

 

 

I would have to say the Skipper Tim is being very optomistic aboiut the journey times involving the people mover, on the occaions i've tried it there have been significant delays at the ticket machines and then futher delays going up the stairs and on the platforms until you are able to board a shuttle vehicle. This is especially true if other ships get docked before you.

 

 

I've also been held by fog on three of the six times we've returned to Venice. We have then docked between 10;00 and 11;00

 

I must admit that those times were in Sept and Oct so I think May would be less likely to suffer.

 

 

 

Pete

Edited December 7, 2013 by Skier52

[Skier52]

The ban on the Fantasia class entering Venice will not have come into effect so, putting aside predicting the future weather, if you arrive on time, 12:00 is certainly late enough. It takes around 7 minutes to walk off the ship, through the terminal and the port to the 'people mover' (light railway -€1). Two minutes later you are in Piazale Roma and it is another 5 minutes walk to the Santa Lucia railway station.

 

So there is time to have a leisurely breakfast, allow the crowds to subside and even have a wander around Venice before 12:00.

 

Tim.

They are not banning Fantasia class ships , but instead are creating an alternative route into the lagoon and on to the docks.

the ban is the use of the pesent route in

 

Here is a lnk to the BBC web site article which I picked up on the cruisingmates forum

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24827324

 

Pete

Edited December 7, 2013 by Skier52

[luv2vacation]

Here is a link to a thread about train times

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1908656

 

 

I would have to say the Skipper Tim is being very optomistic aboiut the journey times involving the people mover, on the occaions i've tried it there have been significant delays at the ticket machines and then futher delays going up the stairs and on the platforms until you are able to board a shuttle vehicle. This is especially true if other ships get docked before you.

 

 

I've also been held by fog on three of the six times we've returned to Venice. We have then docked between 10;00 and 11;00

 

I must admit that those times were in Sept and Oct so I think May would be less likely to suffer.

 

 

 

Pete

 

Thanks for the link! The images of Venice are extremely helpful to me. Do you recommend booking a later train time? We will be spending time in Venice pre-cruise so I would prefer to be on my way to Milan as soon as possible after getting off of the ship.

[Skier52]

Here is another thread that may be useful

 

 

 

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=40411320first=true&__utma=1.1789571083.1364685375.1371899909.1386380444.391&__utmb=1.8.10.1386380444&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1386380444.391.3.utmcsr=cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com|utmccn=(referral)|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/showthread.php&__utmv=1.|1=source=(direct)=1^2=medium=(none)=1&__utmk=60866092

 

 

Pete

[Skier52]

Thanks for the link! The images of Venice are extremely helpful to me. Do you recommend booking a later train time? We will be spending time in Venice pre-cruise so I would prefer to be on my way to Milan as soon as possible after getting off of the ship.

I would say don't get an earlier train but if you want to be in mIlan asap stick wih the train you have got.

 

As for fog in May it has less to do with the Sun and more to do with lack of wind after a cool night

Edited December 7, 2013 by Skier52

[maryann2]

Here is a link to a thread about train times

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1908656

 

 

I would have to say the Skipper Tim is being very optomistic aboiut the journey times involving the people mover, on the occaions i've tried it there have been significant delays at the ticket machines and then futher delays going up the stairs and on the platforms until you are able to board a shuttle vehicle. This is especially true if other ships get docked before you.

 

 

I've also been held by fog on three of the six times we've returned to Venice. We have then docked between 10;00 and 11;00

 

I must admit that those times were in Sept and Oct so I think May would be less likely to suffer.

 

 

 

Pete

I agree about the delay in getting tickets etc for the people mover. Also if you have more than hand luggage it will slow you down.

Getting across that bridge from Piazzale Roma to the station is no fun. We did it in Feb.this year and it was snow and ice. Then you have to avoid the commuters going the other way in a hurry to get to work.

 

We had an 11.30 reservation to Rome and had plenty of time in fact paid extra to change our tickets to an earlier train as it was too cold to hang around the station.

 

The trains were all full even in Feb so you do need reservations.

[The_Big_M]

I don't think we will have a problem with our luggage but may decide at the last minute the Mestre train station is a better idea. Do you think they will still let us board at the Mestre station if our tickets say we are supposed to board at the Santa Lucia station? I think it is the same price so I don't see what difference it would make but I wouldn't want to take a chance of getting kicked off of the train or fined.

 

Yes, you will be fine.

 

They don't actually check the tickets when you enter the station, but just that you are in the seats you are entitled to.

 

If nobody occupies your seats, passengers without reservations may take your seats (assuming you're on a train that allows non-reservations, not sure what train/tickets you have), but when you show them your reservations, you could take that spot.

 

Given the short time to Mestre, it's unlikely your seats would be taken.

[Skipper Tim]

They are not banning Fantasia class ships , but instead are creating an alternative route into the lagoon and on to the docks.

the ban is the use of the pesent route in

 

Here is a lnk to the BBC web site article which I picked up on the cruisingmates forum

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24827324

 

Pete

 

"Neither CLIA nor the cruise lines have been able to shed any light on how the percentage cut which comes into force in January – preventing one-fifth of all cruise ships over 40,000 tonnes entering the Venice lagoon – will be decided. With a limited time frame in which to find alternative docking arrangements, it is fair to assume that some itineraries will be affected. And passengers booked to sail on one of the larger ships from November next year will not be sailing into the heart of Venice at all."

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/10432424/Confusion-over-Venice-cruise-ship-ban.html

 

I understand that the cruise lines have asked for an alternative route to the current cruise terminal to be dredged but this has not been agreed. The alternative is to have a new cruise terminal outside the lagoon but there is little time to build one. Che casino!

[Skipper Tim]

Here is a link to a thread about train times

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1908656

 

 

I would have to say the Skipper Tim is being very optomistic aboiut the journey times involving the people mover, on the occaions i've tried it there have been significant delays at the ticket machines and then futher delays going up the stairs and on the platforms until you are able to board a shuttle vehicle. This is especially true if other ships get docked before you.

 

 

I've also been held by fog on three of the six times we've returned to Venice. We have then docked between 10;00 and 11;00

 

I must admit that those times were in Sept and Oct so I think May would be less likely to suffer.

 

 

Pete

 

Hence waiting for the crowds to subside. There were no queues at ticket machines and the stairs were deserted 2 hours after docking when I was there. I squeezed the marrow out of Allegrissimo and enjoyed a succession of Marocchinos on a peaceful deck. Beats queuing :).

[luv2vacation]

Yes, you will be fine.

 

They don't actually check the tickets when you enter the station, but just that you are in the seats you are entitled to.

 

If nobody occupies your seats, passengers without reservations may take your seats (assuming you're on a train that allows non-reservations, not sure what train/tickets you have), but when you show them your reservations, you could take that spot.

 

Given the short time to Mestre, it's unlikely your seats would be taken.

 

Good to know! Thank-you. I haven't actually bought my tickets yet but will do so once the schedule is open for my dates. I plan on using the S L station as my starting point. It is possible we may be tired after the cruise and decide to spring for a cab to the Mestre station to catch the train.

[Whitey59]

I was also wondering about disembarking in Venice, after reading comments on fog, how likely is fog in Venice at the beginning of September

I am also on the Fantasia cruise arriving back in Venice on the 14th September at 8am, then have a flight at 3.30 pm.

If there is fog at this time, is there stil plenty of time for this flight

Thanks

[Skier52]

I was also wondering about disembarking in Venice, after reading comments on fog, how likely is fog in Venice at the beginning of September

I am also on the Fantasia cruise arriving back in Venice on the 14th September at 8am, then have a flight at 3.30 pm.

If there is fog at this time, is there stil plenty of time for this flight

Thanks

Of the three times I've been delayed by for when inbound at Venice two were in Oct and 1 as the first week of Sept. I have sailed from Venice 6 times in total.

On the occasions we were held up by fog the latest time we docked was 11:15. This would leave plenty of time to Get to the airport for a 15:30 flight. Taxi would take 30 - 40 minutes ( cost 40 - 50 euros for two preople plus luggage), Water taxi would take 35 to 45 minutes ( cost 110 euros for up to 6 people and luggage, additional costs for more people , max. 10)..

 

People mover and airport bus 1 - 2 hours depending on the number of people trying to do the same, you may feel this is tight for time if you have to check in by 14:30 but is still do-able, (cost is 7 - 8 euros per person )

 

 

Pete

Edited December 8, 2013 by Skier52

[Whitey59]

I was thinking about a transfer by MSC to the airport, has anyone done transfers with them.

Would it be easier or quicker with them

Thanks again

[Skier52]

I was thinking about a transfer by MSC to the airport, has anyone done transfers with them.

Would it be easier or quicker with them

Thanks again

In my experience transfers to the airports tend to be part of an excursion with the drop of being the airport and as such are only avilable for people with flights after a set time , which i recall as being after 17:00, but i'm not absolutely sure of that time.

 

 

Pete

Edited December 9, 2013 by Skier52

[Whitey59]

I found transfers on their website to/from airport $21 each one way,

I though this might be an easy, quick option, whether the cruise is on time or late, and not have to worry about the crowds after, all trying to get a taxis.

[AmoMondo]

In the UK you can only get a transfer of you are on a fly cruise package with them. If it is possible to get a transfer for $21 each and if there are only 2 of you, probably around the same price as a taxi. People with transfers tend to be in the earlier groups getting off. Once you collect your luggage you'll go outside where there will be a number of. Laches waiting. Someone from MSC will tell you which coach to go to.

[azalea4va]

we are in a similar situation, except we will completing our cruise on Nov 9, with a scheduled arrival into the port at 9:00am.

 

1. To get to the train station ASAP, we are planning on self-disembarking and reserving a taxi to take us to Mestre.  By reserving a taxi ahead of time, I assume that will prevent us from getting backup up by various queues. Once we are cleared to disembark (self-carry) , how long should I plan on it taking to get to mestre?  Would the cab pickup spot be near the terminal and before the people mover? Is my thinking accurate that at little or no cost in time, a taxi to mestre would save a bit of dragging luggage around, a consideration for us?

 

2. If there is a delay due to fog, I assume that means schedule arrival time is mostly irrelevant. Advice here was for a scheduled arrival of 8:00am. "I agree that [a noon reservation] is plenty time. Depending on the time of year, fog can be an issue at Venice but even if you didn't get off until 11, you'd still make it in time." Equally true for a 9:am schedule arrival?

3. The trains to Milan requires reservations.  If we get to the station either earlier in time to get a earlier train, or later and miss our train, can we switch to an earlier/later train, given we will not have a reservation?

 

 

[Omega1]

6 minutes ago, azalea4va said:

we are in a similar situation, except we will completing our cruise on Nov 9, with a scheduled arrival into the port at 9:00am.

 

1. To get to the train station ASAP, we are planning on self-disembarking and reserving a taxi to take us to Mestre.  By reserving a taxi ahead of time, I assume that will prevent us from getting backup up by various queues. Once we are cleared to disembark (self-carry) , how long should I plan on it taking to get to mestre?  Would the cab pickup spot be near the terminal and before the people mover? Is my thinking accurate that at little or no cost in time, a taxi to mestre would save a bit of dragging luggage around, a consideration for us?

 

2. If there is a delay due to fog, I assume that means schedule arrival time is mostly irrelevant. Advice here was for a scheduled arrival of 8:00am. "I agree that [a noon reservation] is plenty time. Depending on the time of year, fog can be an issue at Venice but even if you didn't get off until 11, you'd still make it in time." Equally true for a 9:am schedule arrival?

3. The trains to Milan requires reservations.  If we get to the station either earlier in time to get a earlier train, or later and miss our train, can we switch to an earlier/later train, given we will not have a reservation?

 

 

Our experience is that taxis pick up immediately outside the terminal. Under normal traffic conditions, the journey to Mestre should take a maximum of 15 minutes. Alternatives to get to Mestre (public transport) require quite a bit of dragging luggage. Your timing will be fine.

We’ve been in Venice late Oct/ early Nov several times and never seen any fog.

Can’t comment on the reservation situation but if you get there early there is a cafe/restaurant across the street from the station - large cappuccino and people watching.