Water Taxies in Venice

About the "water taxi" in Venice, except possibly for initially coming in from the airport, it is pretty easy to get by just fine in Venice without ever needing to take an expensive "water taxi"--walking, vaporetto and traghetto work well for most.

Here's my 2 cents worth on the glasswork: Someone paying 1600E for a piece of glass had better know a lot about glass or be so wealthy that such an expenditure is trivial, or both.

According to my 2006 Rick Steves Italy, water taxis average 50 EUR,and cost about 80 EUR an hour.This is last years' book and the prices may have gone up, but 200 EUR seems very exaggerated.Were they on it for over 2 hours with a ton of luggage?Our family members each got 3 day vaporetto passes for only 22 EUR apiece and had a great time endlessly joy riding.I can't imagine why one would even need to use an expensive water taxi.The vapo rides are great and Venice is a wonderful place to just walk.I always hear people tell of how outrageously expensive places are,but in most cases,they just don't do the research and fall into obcious, expensive tourists traps.Study your Rick Steves guide and find a way to make Venice fit whatever budget you want.As far as the glass goes...do we really know that the 2 pieces were of comparable quality?Often non-experts are poor judges of value.Our family is very frugal and had no trouble greatly enjoying breathtakingly beautiful Venice on a budget.

The 80 euro/hour figure cited in Terry's post would be $110/hour in dollars.

Thanks Kent and Terry, you've helped! I think the only time we probally will need the taxi is from the train station in and then airport out. Do either of you know how long it might be from either?

Santa Lucia train station is in old town on the Grand Canal. I don't know about the airport. Rick's Florence book has detailed guidance on both, in the Transporation Connections chapter.

Correcting my previous post, I meant Rick's "Venice" book.

Joanne, we were in Venice for 3 days, so we came into the train station, bought the 3 day vapo pass, took the vapo down the Grand Canal to our hotel, rode around endlessly for several days, and on the third day, took the vaparetto from our hotel to the FREE airport shuttle bus. There was never any need whatsoever to use a water taxi. ALL of our transportation needs were covered by the 3 day pass for 22 EUR each. All the details are in Rick's book, plus the people working on the vapos and ticket booths were happy to explain how to do everything, mostly in easy to understand English. The water taxi would have been an EXTREME luxury to our family. (A gondola ride would be a bigger bang for the buck.)I mostly noticed water taxis in front of VERY high end hotels.

When you arrive by train the vaporetto station is just outside the door. This is on the Grand Canal and the vaporetto goes down this and along to St Marks Square. Do get a 3 day pass or one to cover whatever time you are there. They are great value and terrific to ride on. I loved going up and down the Great Canal at night. This is definately the easiest and cheapest form of transport.

To get to the airport you can take the vaporetto to Roma Plaza and get the bus or a cab. They take you pretty much right to the door. Roam Plaza is just across from the station. Check Google Earth or a map.

Water taxis are expensive and if you take on to the airport apparently you have a bit of a hike to the terminal.

Water taxis to Airport were 90 euros to a hotel near St. Marks. Once at the airport, you can hope a shuttle bus (free) or walk about 5-7 minutes to the terminal.

Water taxi from our hotel to the train station was 60 euros. If you have a family, or a lot of luggage, its worth it.

Joanne, I did not take a water taxi when I was there in May because I was traveling alone. I instead bought the 72 hour vaporetto pass (costs 30 Euro now) and used it to travel every where just as the previous poster suggested. I arrived by train At Venice SL (not Mestre) and walked out and purchased the pass, hopped on and went directly to my hotel.

I am returning to Venice in December, and will take the Alilaguna boat to the Venice airport (12 Euro) which is about a 70 minute ride from my hotel in Dorsoduro (plus a short walk to the airport). I prefer this option over taking a vaporetto to the bus station, bus to the airport, then the free shuttle (this option is shorter in time, but multiple modes of transport).