London to Venice by high-speed rail

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European high-speed rail links mean you can explore a number of different countries in a short space of time.​

Rail vacations are becoming increasingly popular with holidaymakers and those wanting a short break. London is well-connected to all major European rail networks.

The beauty of rail holidays is that the journey becomes part of the trip. High-speed rail routes mean you can set off from St Pancras in the morning and arrive in Italy later the same day.

The Italian high-speed rail network is made up of two main lines which connect all the major cities making it simple to travel around the country. One connects Milan with Salerno through Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples while the second connects Turin and Venice via Milan. These high-speed lines are operated by Trenitalia and NTV.

The first high-speed Italian rail route opened in 1977 connecting Rome to Florence. Today the lines are designed to cope with speeds of over 195 mph and are some of the most advanced in Europe.

There are several projects currently underway to expand the Italian high-speed rail network including upgrading Milan’s train control centre by adding five automated computers capable of remotely operating signals and switches on the Turin-Padua high-speed line.

London to Venice by high-speed rail begins in the beautifully restored St Pancras station and whisks you by Eurostar to Paris in just 2 hours 15 minutes.

Onwards from the stunning Paris-Gare de Lyon station – one of six mainline stations in France and one of the busiest in Europe, high-speed TGV trains head to High-speed rail routes mean you can set off from St Pancras in the morning and arrive in Italy later the same day. the country’s Southern and Eastern regions and to Switzerland, Italy and Spain.

Heading across France to Switzerland on the South-East line is the high-speed TGV Lyria train route. The TGV Lyria trains connect France and Switzerland and are jointly operated by French company SNCF and the Swiss Federal Railways.

The TGV trains travel up to 186 mph through the French countryside before arriving in Zurich. With first and second class seating available and a café bar serving drinks, snacks and light meals, you can travel in comfort. Air-conditioning and power sockets at every seat for charging mobile phones en route make the TGV a luxurious high-speed option.

The rail route between Zurich and Milan is run by Euro City and the route includes the scenic Gotthard Pass through the Swiss Alps. Euro City trains reach speeds of up to 160 mph and have a unique titling design which allows them to go around corners 35 per cent faster than standard trains. These cross-border trains are part of the European inner-city rail network and have to conform to a number of wide ranging criteria covering areas such as comfort, speed, food quality and service and cleanliness. The route must cover two or more European countries and scheduled stops must last no longer than five minutes and only stop at major cities to ensure a fast and efficient high-speed network. Trains must also average a speed over 56 mph.

The Euro City rail network formerly known as the Trans Europe Express was established with the aim of connecting important European cites. Each train is operated by more than one EU based company under a co-operative agreement.

The final part of the journey is Milan to Venice. Leave Milan’s beautiful art deco Porta Garibaldi station on-board the Frecciabianca train travelling at 125 mph. With a journey time of just 2-and-half hours the Trenitalia Eurostar service means you can be enjoying the unforgettable floating city of Venice within hours.

Italy’s extensive rail network provides lots of potential onward rail destinations. From January this year NTV (Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori) a privately-owned rail company began operating a new route Venice – Florence – Rome and Naples. As Europe’s first privately owned high-speed operator they are in direct competition with state-owned Trenitalia.

Written by Zeal Media on behalf of Planet Rail




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