Venice Day Trip

Alternative 1
1) Train from Milan in the morning (around 8 or 9am) - arrives at Venice St Lucia train station 2hr 35 minutes later (or 2hr 20mins if you take the fast train). Do not get out at the wrong stop!
2) Take Waterbus No.1 or 2 (vaporetto) from Train Station to Piazza San Marco. Cost: 6,50 Euros
3) Enjoy sights at Piazza San Marco, including St Mark's Basilica (free admission, reserve tickets ahead) and Doge's Palace.
4) Walk (and get lost) to Ponte Rialto. It should take less than 10 minutes if you don't get lost.
5) Enjoy sights and sounds of Ponte Rialto and Rialto Food Market (if it is still open).
6) Continue to walk in the streets of Venice towards the train station. Journey should take at most 25 minutes (provided you don't get lost as well. Hint: keep looking backwards to see if the signs still say "Rialto")

Alternative 2
1) Train from Milan in the morning (around 8 or 9am) - arrives at Venice St Lucia train station 2hr 35 minutes later (or 2hr 20mins if you take the fast train). Do not get out at the wrong stop!
2) 25 minutes walk to Rialto (follow signs!) from the train station.
3) Enjoy sights and sounds of Ponte Rialto and Rialto Food Market. You can probably get your lunch there as well.
4) Continue to walk in the streets of Venice towards Piazza San Marco (follow signs on corner of buildings as well). The journey should take less than 10 minutes if you don't get lost.
5) Enjoy sights at Piazza San Marco, including St Mark's Basilica (free admission, reserve tickets ahead) and Doge's Palace.
6) Take Waterbus No.1 or 2 (vaporetto) from Piazza San Marco to Train Station. Cost: 6,50 Euros