From Florence to Venice: A Day Trip to the Floating City
Badge of Excellence
Florence, Italy
- 14 to 15 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Spend a day exploring Venice on a full-day tour that travels by luxury coach from Florence. See highlights including Piazza San Marco, St. Mark’s Basilica, and Palazzo Ducale, and take a gondola ride on the canals (own expense). With a combination of guided tours and free time, you’ll experience the best of the Floating City in one day.
- A day trip to Venice from Florence
- Hear insightful commentary from the guide
- Ideal for first-time visitors with limited time
- Includes glass-blowing demonstration, map, and Venice City Tax
What's Included
- Journey by fully-fitted luxury GT coach
- Expert multilingual escort
- City orientation tour with tour leader
- Glass blowing demonstration
- Free time for independent sightseeing
- Map of Venice
- Venice City Tax
- Guided tour of Venice
- Entrance tickets to churches and attractions
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Piazzale Montelungo, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy
TOURS & NEWS KIOSK AT PIAZZALE MONTELUNGO BUS TERMINAL Located at 5-10 minutes walking distance from Santa Maria Novella Train Station. Look for our staff wearing a FUCHSIA CIAOFLORENCE JACKET and holding a CIAOFLORENCE CLIPBOARD!
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Start time.7:30 am
Itinerary
1
Florence
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
2
Venice
5 hours • Admission Ticket Free
3
Piazza San Marco
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Basilica di San Marco
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
5
Venice
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Palazzo Ducale
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
7
Ponte di Rialto
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
8
Ponte dei Sospiri
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
9
Canal Grande
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
10
Florence
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- English and Spanish are always guaranteed. In order to confirm the excursion in Italian, German, Portuguese or French a minimum of 4 pax is required
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.5
based on 104 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Alex was a well organized tour guide he made sure the group was together while we passed by busy crowds and explained everything very well and exciting, i will recommend this tour with friends i felt like we where able to see and do alot in a day
Sebastian was a great guide, very knowledgeable, informative and gave great suggestions. The only issue was not anything with the tour, no wifi so no maps available and the area can be confusing with all the alleyways and bridges. Was a great day overall and I would recommend this trip.
The tour guide, Alex, was awesome! There is quite a bit of travel time but it was ok. You have ample time to explore on your own. The only negative is the glass blowing thing. The demo takes 2 minutes and then they walk you through a showroom. The tour would be better if they dropped the glass blowing and gave you tickets to the Doge or something.
We had a dynamic duo of C & C bus driver and guide who were fabulous! The bus ride included a rest stop. We boarded our ferry immediately when we arrived. If you wanted lunch or a gondola ride our guide arranged for it. It was seamless! Wonderful restaurant in a less crowded area. The gondola ride was perfect and a decent time in the gondola going into the larger main canal! Loved it!!!
Constantine, our guide, was knowledgeable, efficient, and charming. His experience and coordination skills make our tour flawless despite the crowds in Venice.
We had a wonderful experience with Constantino, he gave us so many great recommendations to maximize our time in Venice.
Good tour only fix id have is nicer bus needed for being stuck in it for 6 hours with some air moving.
I think the most valuable part of this tour is the transportation that is organized and provided. A couple of things I noted:
1. There seemed to be a good amount of pressure to book a gondola and restaurant through the tour. I declined both. They were charging 120 Euro for a 25-minute ride. We were easily able to find a 90 Euro, 30-minute ride. I think they use their position as a "trusted" tour to instill enough concern of being scammed to get you to pay through them, which clearly includes a significant kickback. So in the end, the tour company was the scammer.
2. The glassblowing museum was interesting, but it culminated in a thorough, high-pressure sales experience.
3. Our host Constantino was fine. He shared a couple pieces of information. He really didn't blow us away and he wasn't a very passionate guide. This seemed like just a job for him.
Very disappointed with the overall logistical planning of the trip the bus ride was too long and they don’t allow food, snacks or drink, which was very disappointing. Very little planning or logistical overview of the city and or planning ahead for cathedrals should’ve been noted on the planning ahead of time so we can be aware of how to plan our time wisely.
The tour guide and driver Constantino and Max were wonderful. I wish we had more time in Venice, but it was so hot and a long day. The Gondola ride was picture perfect. The glass blowing was super cool. The Aperol spritz were the best I’d ever had.
Venice was beautiful as expected but this day trip on a bus is not recommended. It took over 3.5 hrs to get there, there is no bathroom on the bus. The guide shared logistics but did not share any information about the countryside or areas we were riding through. There was bumper to bumper traffic for a long time and one bathroom stop at a gas station after 2+ hours !
When we finally arrived in Venice we were whisked right to the glass blowing place with no explanation or time to look at all the beautiful landmarks of Venice that most of us were seeing for the first time !
Then we only had about 3 hours of free time with no guide or map of streets to suggest points of interest to see.
The gondola ride was extra 30 euros which I did and that was nice but all in all too rushed w too little guidance.
I suggest in future they only plan this type of tour via train ride (2.5 hrs) train has bathrooms WIFI and you can charge your phone !
Venice was nice but so many people.
Gondola ride was magical . Great for a day trip not to stay for longer.
It is English/ Spanish tour despite the tour states English. 3.5 hours ride to and from plus Ferry to get there. It was hassle free and we had 5 hours there. The glass blowing was amazing and we signed up gondola on our own not via company by chance. It was slight cheaper and straight forward.
We had a great time in Venice short and sweet.
Sebastian kept us on time. It was enjoyable trip.
It was very interesting and a lot of fun. Watching the glassblowing was amazing. Our guide recommended a wonderful restaurant for lunch. The gondola ride was wonderful! Our guide, Constantino, and our bus driver (I think his name is Giantano) were wonderful. Constantino was very informative, friendly, and helpful!
Very long trip but the part that was difficult was that I booked an English tour and was put on an English/Spanish tour. That makes for a great deal of talking, as well very little explanation of what you are seeing.
The glass blowing demo was very interesting but what it truly was was a way to get the tour group in the Murano glass factory to buy things and the man leading you to a room to sell to you like an auctioneer. It was a strange experience.
The tour was absolutely nothing. A walk into the main square and a walk to the factory that was it. Then a meeting time 4 1/2 hour later.
I’ve done 5 of these tours or more and this is the only one I left not feeling I learned something as well as it wasn’t really worth the expense or time.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Michelle,
our tours are multilingual, and it is specified in the description! Moreover, our tour leader, present on the bus, is responsible for providing general information and offering personal assistance. Local guides, on the other hand, provide detailed explanations regarding history and culture. They're two different roles.
This tour does not include a guided tour of the city precisely to leave room for free time and exploration of the city!
It was a fun day, but long! Venice doesn't have many places to sit and relax and take in the views. But the glass blowing was AMAZING!
A bit disappointing as I was hoping to go inside the Doumo but it closes at 1.30 PM on a Saturday, I felt that we just went there for the gondola ride , Venice is too overcrowded and so I felt it’s overrated .there is no need to see the glass blowing
This excursion wasn't nothing to write home about. Thank you to the driver for the comfortable and safe ride. This excursion was just a ride to and from Venice. I enjoyed the quick glass blowing demo. The tour guide didn't seem to enjoy his job. I didn't feel welcomed. I was disappointed that he didn't make an effort to ensure everyone on the bus who wanted to ride the gondolas were grouped up. He made provisions for the folks who were in large groups to ride. One of the ladies had to go around on the dock herself to form a group to ride. I was traveling solo. I had to go on the web to book my own ride.
The murano factory and the gondola ride. The shops and restaurants were very good I enjoyed walking around this beautiful place
Saint Marks and the gondola ride, we had a very nice lunch. The tour of the glass blowing shop was interesting. But the sales pitch was a little off puttting.
Venice is beautiful and we were so glad we squeezed it into our trip.
We were led to believe that we would have spare time, but it didn’t wind up being enough time to do anything.
It is still a good way to see Venice if you’re tight for time.
Our tour guide Sebastian was amazing. He spoke about the history along the way in Italian, Spanish and English fluently. Very informative and nothing was too much trouble. Had an amazing day and would recommend highly.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thank you very much!
Amazing trip to Venice. The ride was long but very comfortable. Our guide Sebastian was very good! We had about 5 hours in Venice, wasn’t long enough but was absolutely great for me.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thank you very much Celita!
We will always remember Sebastian awesome tour guide. Got there safe and brought is back safe. When we come back I will use same company to explore this beautiful country(Italy).
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thank you José, we're looking forward to see you!
The group was too large for one person to manage 75 people 3 different languages, absolutely ridiculous.
The lunch stop that was suggested by the guide was racist!
We stay on a table with white folks ordered the same meal and they received drinks and food before us.
So we sat and watched me eat for 7mins until we realized what was happening. We simply walked out and got lunch at another restaurant that was amazing and with great service.
Don’t do the lunch the guide recommends EXPENSIVE AND HORRIBLE SERVICE somebody made a commission for that referral.
The tour was too hectic because of the size of the group we went on the 13th July.
Didn’t remember the guide name or the unfriendly bus driver.
My previous tour with Sarah was the complete opposite to this experience.
Had a great time and our tour guide was awesome! We even had extra free time to explore the area, would recommend this tour to friends/family
Our tour guide was excellent! Took us straight into Venice and checked in with us throughout the day. He took care of our gondola ride and suggested all the places to see. The glass blowing demonstration was wonderful.
A must do if you want a day trip to Venice! We rode the gondolas, ate lunch, bar hopped and had an overall enjoyable experience!
Great trip, definitely recommend doing the gondola ride, it was incredible! Worth noting there’s really not a tour of Venice, our guide more just briefly oriented us to the city and gave free time to explore. I really enjoyed that set up though!
Rainy, windy, cold and gondolas shut down. Why 5 stars? Constantine! He was an awesome guide. Funny, organized and connected. When gondolas restarted after 2 hour shutdown because of wind, he got us to the front of the line. Took us to an off the path restaurant with great food and no waiting. He knows Venice and made a potentially disastrous day a lot of fun.
From $141.88
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
From Florence to Venice: A Day Trip to the Floating City
104
14 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$141.88
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Florence, Italy
- Florence Central Market (Mercato Centrale) Tours & Tickets
- Galileo Museum (Museo Galileo) Tours & Tickets
- Arno River Tours & Tickets
- Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto) Tours & Tickets
- Piazza di Santa Maria Novella Tours & Tickets
- Palazzo Vecchio Tours & Tickets
- Leonardo Interactive Museum® Tours & Tickets
- Salvatore Ferragamo Museum Tours & Tickets
- Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli) Tours & Tickets
- Ponte Vecchio Tours & Tickets
- Florence Santa Croce Basilica (Basilica di Santa Croce) Tours & Tickets
- Florence Rose Garden (Giardino delle Rose) Tours & Tickets
- Cattedrale dell’Immagine Tours & Tickets
- Loggia dei Lanzi Tours & Tickets
- Prada Outlet Tours & Tickets
- Great Synagogue of Florence (Tempio Maggiore) Tours & Tickets
More attractions near Florence, Italy
- Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell'Accademia) Tours & Tickets
- Michelangelo's Statue of David (Il Davide di Michelangelo) Tours & Tickets
- Florence Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) Tours & Tickets
- Uffizi Galleries (Gallerie degli Uffizi) Tours & Tickets
- Ponte Vecchio Tours & Tickets
- Piazza della Signoria Tours & Tickets
- Brunelleschi’s Dome (Cupola di Brunelleschi) Tours & Tickets