Padova Transportation

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The first line of a planned three-line tram network was inaugurated in Padova in 2007. The line runs from the Northern to the southern suburbs of the city and is very useful for tourists, since it stops at the railway station, at the Eremitani (convent and Cappella degli Scrovegni with Giotto's frescoes), at the Basilica del Santo (Saint Anthony basilica) and at Prato della Valle, the main square of Padova and one of the largest in Europe.
The website of the tram contains many information, but it is only in Italian. However, this page may be useful, as it shows the traject of the line. At this other page you find the timetables for workdays first, Sundays and holidays next.
The ticket is the same as for buses and is valid 75 minutes. You can buy 12 tickets for 10 euro.

Padova is a major rail hub. It's easily reached from Venice on a day trip in about 30-40 minutes, but there are direct express trains running from Padova to many of the big Italian cities, like Rome, Milan, Florence, as well as the ferry port of Bari. Local trains, especially to Bologna, are obviously well served.

The station is about a kilometer outside of the old centre.

I live in Padova and when I have to fly from Venice I usually use a shuttle bus called Airservice that pick me up at home (but work also with every other town address) and take you to the airport and back.
It cost 28 euros each person each trip and I found it convenient if you have lots of luggage and dont want to bother with a long and multichange bus/train ride. Also better than leave my car to the Venice airport's parking lot that is awfully expensive.
The service is provided by Taxy Padova and the rate is fixed so you wont have surprise when it comes the time to pay the bill. I think they take also credit card.
It is required to book it ahead of time, they will wait you at the arrival area (probably near the exit door) holding a sign with your name (tell them to do this when you book). They usually drive a white twelve seats van with Airservice wrote on the side.

Recently they started to serve also all the other Northern Italy's airports like Treviso, Verona, Bologna, Bergamo and Milano, look at their site for all the rates.

I just want to point out to tourists and visitors that the bus tickets are two sided. So don't throw away your ticket before you check the other side because you will probably have two rides availalble on this ticket.
The tram can also be used with the bus ticket. You get a little over an hour to complete your direction.
Knowing this can be very handy and save you some money.
Get bus tickets at Tobacchi shops and in front of the train station there is a small building with two windows where they sell tickets, single-double or monthly if you have the correct documents. You can also get a bus map, called a piantina or cartina or mappa...
Don't ride for free, they have groups of men who catch people trying this roaming throughout Padova.

I travelled by taxi twice during my visit to Padova. Once on arriving- from the train station to my hotel, and once at night from Plazza Garibaldi to my hotel, as I had to be back before midnight - (just call me Cinderella!)

There are taxi ranks around Padova, and there was a poster in Plazza Garibaldi with a telephone number to call a taxi - However, I wasn't sure if my very limited Italian would be understood. I needn't have worried as a taxi drew up within a few minutes.

The taxis are metered. Both times my fare came to just over 11 euros for a 5 minute ride. I thought this was quite expensive, but it was convenient.

I thought that is was expensive the first time because I had a suitcase, but perhaps not - I'm never sure of the 'hidden extras' that are charged by taxi companies, such as extra bags, certain days/times, being called, if there's a Friday in the week!!!

A bus ticket costs 1 euro for 70 minutes, or with the Padova card bus travel is unlimited for 48 hours.

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After spending 2 nights in Padua (and still not seeing everything), my next destination was Lake Garda.

Regular trains leave from Padua to Pesciera and Desenzano- the 2 train stations on the Southern end of the Lake.

My ticket cost 11 euros (Tariffa Standard). It took me a while to realise that this was for a numbered seat in a carriage with six seats. (Prices vary for different types of train and seat etc) After much wobbling up and down the moving train with my case, I eventually located my carriage.

The other seats were all occupied, and there wasn't room for my case, which I had to leave in the narrow carriage.

The journey gave me a chance to relax and watch the countryside as we whizzed by (and also to spend my journey with local people - including 2 men who were so busy playing cards, that they nearly missed their stop!).

Outside the train station at Peschiera is a bus stop, where I caught a bus to Brenzone. The bus travels along the lake, stopping at the many towns and villages.

You purchase Your ticket from the bus driver.

After spending 4 nights on Lake Garda, I returned to Peschiera station and caught a train back to Venice St Lucia station which cost 7.60 euros - this time I had a choice of where to sit, on the train - there were plenty of seats to choose from!.

I caught a train from Mestre ( Venice) to Padua. There are regular trains to and from this fascinating city.

Prices can vary according to the type of train that you're travelling on.

I took pot luck, and just turned up at the ticket office. I was very surprised to find my ticket was just 2.20 Euros! (Yes, Italy has the cheapest train fares in Europe- Unlike the UK, which has the most expensive!)

There are 'saver tickets' if You're intending on using the train for more than one journey.

The journey took just over 20 minutes.

From the outskirts, Padua doesn't reveal much of its treasures, but a few steps from the station You can see some of its interesting buildings.

In front of the station is a taxi rank and bus station for local buses. You can also rent bikes (Padua is a city where bikes are a very popular form of transport!)

Near the train station is a tourist Info office - I didn't visit this one, but found the small TI office opposite St Antonio Basillica to be very helpful (I purchased my Padua card -which I used quite a lot, and my ticket for the Scroveni Chapel from here).

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I've used this company before in Granada, Marrakesh, Valencia and Madrid

I find it a useful way to learn about the city, get my bearings, and use it to get around.

Forget Your 'I'm not a tourist' ideals, and jump aboard - it's a good way to see the city from the top deck. (or you can sit indoors downstairs)
You get closer to the buildings, and see things that You'd miss from street level.

It's fun sharing the experience/chatting with fellow passengers (tourists/ travellers) from other countries too!

Usually Your ticket entitles You to 24 hours use.

With the Padua card (14 Euros) the Hop On Hop Off ticket can be purchased for 6 euros instead of 12 euros and is valid for 48 hours instead of 24 hours! - please see my Things to do tips for more info on this valuable card

The Padua card can be bought from the Tourist Info office opposite Basilico St Antonio, at the train station or next to Caffe Pedrocchi.

Hop on Hop Off tickets can be bought at the nearby departure point, from the driver en route, Selected hotels and travel agencies

Your ticket price includes a map and headphones for the recorded info in 7 languages.

Line A operates daily March to October.

It leaves opposite Basilica di St Antonio 09.50, 11.00, 12.00, 14.45,1600,1700 and 1800. and its route covers Plazza della Erbe, Pz dei Signori, Pz Garibaldi, Pz I Nievo, Portello, Pz Eremitani, Pz Stazione, Pz Petrarca, Riviera Paleocopa and Prato de Ville.

I used this route quite a bit - initially doing the full circuit, to get my bearings, and learn about the cities history and places of interest, then later to get to places such as the Scroveni chapel and the train station.

Line B covers Montegrotto Terme and Abano Terme the ticket is valid for 6 hours. I didn't use this route

Save your ticket, because You can get 10% discount off other city sightseeing buses world wide.

Milan, Pisa, Florence, Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Messina and Palerma are the other Italian cities offering the tourbus service (2007)