Venice to Ravenna Cruise Port: How We Did It, and Why One Night in Venice Is Worth It
The easiest way from Venice to the Ravenna cruise port is the train. It's about 2.5 hours from Venezia Santa Lucia on the fast train with one change, then a 20-minute taxi from Ravenna station to the terminal at Porto Corsini. That's exactly how we did it, after one night in Venice. And that night was worth every cent.
So here's the honest version. Your booking might say "Venice", but Royal Caribbean ships sail from Ravenna, and the two are not exactly close. We flew in, spent 24 hours in Venice, slept at a hotel a minute from the station, then took the train down the coast to board Explorer of the Seas for an 8-night one-way cruise to Barcelona.
Below is everything in the order we did it: the hotel, the train, the taxi, the terminal, and what I'd do differently.
Venice to Ravenna Cruise Port at a Glance
Where you actually board: Porto Corsini cruise terminal, Ravenna, around 90 miles (145 km) south of Venice by road
Our route: train from Venezia Santa Lucia, about 2.5 hours with one change, then a 20-minute taxi
Our hotel: U-Visionary Venezia, about a minute's walk from Santa Lucia station, €350 (around $390) for one Friday night
Our ship: Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas, 8 nights one way to Barcelona
Terminal status: check-in was in a temporary tent when we sailed; the new terminal is now expected to open in spring 2027
In this article
Why does a "Venice" cruise leave from Ravenna?
Is one night in Venice worth it before a Ravenna cruise?
Where should you stay in Venice before a Ravenna cruise?
Do you need to pay the Venice access fee if you stay overnight?
How do you get from Venice to Ravenna by train?
How do you get from Ravenna train station to the cruise port?
What is the Ravenna cruise terminal like?
What happened once we boarded?
Would I do Venice to Ravenna this way again?
FAQ
Why does a "Venice" cruise leave from Ravenna?
Because big ships aren't allowed into Venice any more. Since 1 August 2021, Italy has banned ships over 25,000 gross tons from the Giudecca Canal and St Mark's Basin. That covers every mainstream cruise ship, Explorer of the Seas included.
The lines scattered. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity moved their "Venice" sailings to Ravenna, more than two hours' drive south down the Adriatic coast. Princess and Holland America went to Trieste instead.
It said Venice on our booking too. In the video I put it plainly: they are not exactly close. So the real question isn't "how do I get to Ravenna?" It's whether you skip Venice entirely, or do it properly the day before. We did it properly.
Is one night in Venice worth it before a Ravenna cruise?
Yes. Absolutely. If your cruise leaves from Ravenna, fly in early and spend at least one day and one night in Venice first. It's a once-in-a-lifetime city, and you'll kick yourself if you sail past it.
Now, how do you see it in one day? We started on the water. The unique view from a gondola is the way to see this magical city, and ours passed right under the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal.
Then St Mark's Square. The Basilica, the Campanile with its viewing platform, and the Doge's Palace are all in one place, so it's a good starting point if you only have a day.
Staying the night also changes Venice. Day-trippers pour in during the day and leave by late afternoon. Evening Venice is noticeably calmer, and that's when it feels like the city you pictured.
Is it worth a hotel night plus a train ride, versus just taking the cruise line coach on the morning of sailing? For us, easily. The extra cost was one night's hotel. What we got was a full day in Venice and a relaxed embarkation morning, with the station a minute's walk away.
Watch what we managed to fit into 24 hours in Venice before the cruise.
Where should you stay in Venice before a Ravenna cruise?
Stay near the train station or the bus station. That's my main tip. You'll be well placed for arriving from the airport and for the onward trip to Ravenna, and you won't be dragging suitcases over bridges on embarkation morning.
We stayed at the four-star U-Visionary Venezia on Rio Terà Lista di Spagna, in Cannaregio. It's about a minute's walk from Santa Lucia station. Piazzale Roma, where the airport buses come in, is around eight minutes on foot.
We paid €350 (around $390) for one night. It was a Friday, and Friday rates can be more than weeknights. Venice hotel prices can be eye-wateringly expensive anyway, so go in expecting that.
So was it worth it? I'd say so. It's a modern hotel with a lot of attention to detail in the decor, matching modern design with Venetian details. I was very satisfied with what was included in the price, the service, and the presentation of everything.
One money-saving tip, though: if your dates let you arrive Sunday to Thursday, check those rates before you book a Friday.
Do you need to pay the Venice access fee if you stay overnight?
No, but you may still need to register. In 2026, Venice charged day-trippers €5 to €10 on 60 peak days between 3 April and 26 July, from 8:30am to 4pm.
Overnight guests don't pay it, because the hotel already charges you the city's tourist tax. But on fee days you still need to register on the official access fee portal and carry the free QR code it gives you.
So if your Venice night falls between April and July, check the dates on the official Venice access fee portal before you go. It takes a few minutes and saves an awkward conversation with an inspector.
How do you get from Venice to Ravenna by train?
There's no direct train, but it's easy. We took the fast train from Venezia Santa Lucia with one change, and it was about 2.5 hours to Ravenna. The change is usually at Bologna if you take the Frecciarossa, or Ferrara on the regional trains.
My tip: book the fast services in advance. Frecciarossa tickets are for a specific train and seat, and the cheaper fares go first. Regional tickets are flat-priced, so there's no saving in buying them early, and if you buy a paper one, validate it before you board.
What does it cost? Omio lists fares between Venice and Ravenna from around €17 booked ahead, with the average closer to €40 if you buy on the day. You can check times and book on Trenitalia.
One more thing. Don't book the last train that gets you in "just in time". You still have a 20-minute taxi and check-in after Ravenna, and a missed connection at Bologna eats your buffer fast.
Venice to Ravenna cruise port: your options compared
Option | Journey time | Rough cost | Best for |
Train + taxi (what we did) | About 2.5 hours by train, plus a 20-minute taxi | Train from around €17 to €40 per person, taxi around €50 | Staying near Santa Lucia, flexible timing |
Royal Caribbean coach transfer | About 3 hours from Venice airport | Check your Cruise Planner | Hands-off, luggage handled |
FlixBus | About 3 hours 40 minutes | From around $15 per person | Tight budgets, but you still need to get from Ravenna to the port |
Private transfer | About 2.5 hours | From around $143 | Families or groups with lots of luggage |
How do you get from Ravenna train station to the cruise port?
Take a taxi. It was about 20 minutes from Ravenna station to the terminal for us. The port is out at Porto Corsini, roughly 8 miles from the station, so walking it with luggage isn't realistic.
You've got three options:
Taxi: about 20 minutes. Norwegian Cruise Line puts the average fare at around €50.
Cruise line shuttle: Royal Caribbean has had staff at Ravenna station on embarkation days, pointing guests to a paid shuttle bus. Check your Cruise Planner for the current price.
Local bus 90: runs between Ravenna and Porto Corsini in about 20 minutes. Cheapest, but only if you're travelling light.
A heads-up for the way back. Taxis at the port itself are scarce on turnaround days. Norwegian warned guests about waits of up to two hours and added its own transfer to the station because of it. We disembarked in Barcelona, so it didn't affect us, but if your cruise ends in Ravenna, pre-book your ride.
What is the Ravenna cruise terminal like?
When we sailed, the terminal was a bit of a work in progress, and check-in was in a tent. It's a bit of a walk to the pier, but it's shaded, and you can watch the new terminal building going up as you go. Basic? Yes. Did it work? Also yes.
That new terminal is the big story here. Royal Caribbean Group's joint venture is building a two-storey, 10,000 square metre terminal with a raised walkway straight onto the ship, and it's set to be Italy's first LEED Gold certified cruise terminal.
In my video I said to expect it from summer 2026. That's slipped. Local press now report the ribbon-cutting is expected in spring 2027, with the temporary structures coming down after the last big ship of the 2026 season in November.
So if you're sailing from Ravenna before then, expect what we had: temporary check-in and a shaded walk to the ship. And honestly? I certainly wouldn't mind taking a cruise from here again.
Ravenna itself is worth some time, too. It's famous for its Byzantine mosaics, and the beaches along this coast are good. If you've got a spare afternoon, it's an underrated stop.
What happened once we boarded?
We'd started an 8-night cruise to Barcelona, and the sail away party matched the mood. With so many stops ahead, there was plenty of time to enjoy the ship.
It was our first time on Explorer of the Seas, and our first time on any Voyager-class ship. Our balcony cabin was spacious, perfect for Mediterranean weather, and still in good nick for a ship that's now over 25 years old. Dinner that first night was in the main dining room, and like other Royal Caribbean ships I've been on, I was happy with the service, the ambiance and the food.
Next stop was Zadar in Croatia. The full port-by-port story is in my Ultimate Mediterranean Cruise Guide, and the ship itself is covered in my Explorer of the Seas guide. We finished in Barcelona, and if that's where your cruise ends too, here's my Barcelona cruise port guide.
Would I do Venice to Ravenna this way again?
Yes. After our fantastic day in Venice, the train and taxi were the easy part, and Venice itself is a must at least once in your life. If I did it again, here's what I'd keep and what I'd tweak:
Stay near Santa Lucia station. It makes both ends of the trip easy.
Book the fast train ahead. Regional tickets don't need it, but the Frecciarossa does.
Register for the Venice access fee QR code if you're visiting between April and July, even as an overnight guest.
Leave a buffer. Pick a train that gets you to Ravenna well before your check-in time.
Taxi from the station, but pre-book for the return if your cruise ends in Ravenna.
Have you sailed from Ravenna, or done Venice the night before? Let me know in the comments how you got to the ship.
If you're weighing up pre-cruise hotels elsewhere, I also reviewed the W Hotel Barcelona before a Legend of the Seas sailing.
FAQ
Are cruise ships going to Venice now?
Not big ones. Since August 2021, ships over 25,000 gross tons can't sail into Venice's historic centre. Small ships under that limit can still dock there. Larger ships use alternative ports: Royal Caribbean and Celebrity use Ravenna, while some other lines use Trieste or the mainland at Marghera.
How far is the Ravenna cruise port from Venice?
Around 90 miles (145 km) by road. Royal Caribbean puts it at about 2 hours 30 minutes by car or 3 hours by bus from Venice airport. By train, allow about 2.5 hours from Santa Lucia plus a 20-minute taxi to the port.
Is there a direct train from Venice to Ravenna?
No. You'll change at least once, usually at Bologna or Ferrara. We took the fast train with one change and it took about 2.5 hours.
How long is the train from Venice to Ravenna?
About 2.5 hours on the fastest connections with one change. Slower regional combinations can take longer, so check the timetable for your day and book the fast services in advance.
How do I get from Ravenna train station to the cruise port?
A taxi takes about 20 minutes and averages around €50. Royal Caribbean has also run a paid shuttle from the station on embarkation days, and local bus 90 runs to Porto Corsini in about 20 minutes if you're travelling light.
What airport do you fly into for Ravenna, Italy?
Ravenna is served by Bologna, Forlì, Rimini and Venice airports. Bologna is the closest major airport, about an hour and a quarter's drive away. Fly into Venice if you want a night there before the cruise, like we did.
Can I take a water taxi from Venice to Ravenna cruise port?
Not all the way. A water taxi can take you from your Venice hotel to Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto, but from there it's around 90 miles by road. Private transfer companies sell the water taxi and road leg together.
Which cruise ships leave from Ravenna?
Royal Caribbean is the port's main customer, with around 30 calls planned for 2026, mostly turnaround sailings. Celebrity and Norwegian Cruise Line also use Ravenna. We sailed from there on Explorer of the Seas.
Do I have to pay the Venice access fee if I stay overnight?
No. Overnight guests are exempt because they pay tourist tax through their hotel. On fee days (in 2026, 60 days between April and July), you still need to register on the official portal for a free QR code.
How much is a taxi from Ravenna cruise port to the train station?
Around €50 on average, according to Norwegian Cruise Line. Taxis can be scarce at the port on turnaround days, with waits of up to two hours reported, so pre-book a taxi or a cruise line transfer if your cruise ends in Ravenna.
Watch the Full Mediterranean Cruise From the gondola in Venice to the Ravenna check-in tent, Zadar, Dubrovnik, La Spezia, Monaco and Barcelona. All 8 nights on Explorer of the Seas. Watch on YouTube Subscribe to The Walking Cruiser for honest, walk-through cruise reviews.
