Venice to Trieste - train or van/bus experiences

[cruisingisfun]

We have pre-cruise days planned in Venice and need to get ourselves to Trieste for the start of a cruise. We had planned to take a train, but have learned the available trains do not have assigned seats for reservation.  Does anyone have any experiences or recommendations for travel from Venice to the port in Trieste? 

[mapleleaves]

We caught the train in Mestre, which is on the mainland just across the causeway from Venice.  A bus or train between Venice and Mestre is about 2E, takes about 15 minutes. Or a cab for about $30e. ( we have been to Venice several times so we stayed in Mestre pre cruise as it is much cheaper)

We were on a FrecciArgento, high speed train. I booked several weeks in advance; Business Class was about 15E.  You choose your seat when you make the reservation.  Left Mestre at 10:11am, arrived in Trieste at noon.  The extra advantage to this particular train was that it didn't go to Venice so it wasn't crowded with cruise pax.

When you get to Trieste it's about a 20 minute walk to the cruise port, or you can wait for a cab.

After the cruise we used FlixBus as it dropped us off at the airport.  The bus depot is next to the train station.

 

[cruisingisfun]

Mapleleaves, Thank you very much for this info!!! We have just booked the train from Mestre with reserved seats (for a good price!)as you suggested. We would not have even thought of this without your suggestion!!

[KiddieKruzer]

What is the website that you used to prebook these tickets from Mestre - Trieste?

[mapleleaves]

I used the trenitalia site; for Venezia Mestre to Trieste Centrale

EN - Trenitalia

 

(One thing I wondered about before boarding was.... how do I validate my ticket since it's digital?  But the office staff said I just needed to show my phone to the conductor )

[cruisingisfun]

We used Trenitalia and opted to get tickets we can print.