All trains to and from Venice are run by the efficient and good-value Italian state railway, Trenitalia (tel: 199 303 060; www.ferroviedellostato.it). Supplements are added to fares according to the type of train boarded (Diretto, Inter-Regionale, InterCity, Eurocity or Eurostar) and fares are calculated according to the distance travelled.

Santa Lucia Station (tel: (041) 785 570) is the first port of call for the thousands of travellers that pour into Venice each summer. Situated at the west end of the Grand Canal, the station was built by the Austrians in the late-19th century, finally uniting the island community with the mainland. The terminal building is a more recent crime against aesthetics. Facilities include left luggage, a bureau de change, an accommodation booking service and a small tourist office. By law, all train tickets must be validated by stamping them in the yellow machines situated on the platform before boarding - failure to do so can result in a hefty fine.

Rail services: Venice is directly linked by train to Bologna (journey time - 1 hour 35 minutes) and passengers can change here for Florence (journey time - 2 hours 40 minutes) and Rome (journey time - 4 hours 20 minutes). It is also within easy reach of Milan (journey time - 2 hours 45 minutes) and the smaller towns of Padua (journey time - 20 minutes) and Verona (journey time - 1 hour 45 minutes). There are international departures to neighbouring Germany, Austria and to the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana (journey time - 4 hours), as well as the Croatian capital, Zagreb (journey time - 8 hours 10 minutes). There are also regular services to Paris and London on board the legendary Orient Express (tel: 0800 780 700; www.orient-express.com), with a spectacular trip via the Alps and five-star service on board. New Orient Express options now include travelling between Venice and London via Krakow or Budapest.