Accommodation in Venice

The area near the station is fine. I also really like the convenience of not having to deal with crowded, sometimes confusing and expensive water buses when arriving and departing with luggage.

I'm not a fan of that location, specially for a first time visitor. I would rather be close to Piazza San Marco. I'll be in Venice for the 3rd time in October and my B&B is 4 minutes from the Piazza. Google Maps says the Jewish ghetto is 27 minutes away from the Piazza. I would look for something closer.

We loved staying in Dorsoduro in May 2025. This area is much quieter and less crowded than staying near Piazza San Marco. Our hotel, Agli Alboretti, is a one-minute walk from the Accademia Bridge and vaporetto stop. It's about a 5-minute walk to the Zattere waterfront on the Guidecca Canal, and about 20 minutes from Piazza San Marco. I would stay here again in a heartbeat. It was easy traveling around Venice via the vaporetto.

We also splurged and reserved a private water taxi with Venice Link to bring us to our hotel from the train station. We loved the ride down the Grand Canal, seeing the beautiful architecture, and we immediately fell in love with Venice.

We love the Cannaregio neighborhood, and always stay there, lots of charm and no crowds. Of course, I have no idea of your exact location, as we stay at the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente, which is a fabulous area. Perhaps you can check the proximity of your lodging to this hotel?
Our preference is not to stay near St Marks Square, as it's too crowded. Everyone has different likes/dislikes.
Have a great trip !

I stayed in Cannaregio this past July and loved it. That area of Rio de San Girolama might seem somewhat close to the train station, but honestly feels like it's in an entirely different neighborhood. My family watched the sun set at Fondamente Dela Sacca de S.Girolamo at the very tip of Cannagreio one night, not too far from here. Very serene and nieghborhoody. And while that area is a bit set back from the grand canal, there are vaporettos cutting through the Cannaregio Canal just a couple of streets away.

My family of 4 used Venice Red House for lodging and was very satisfied. They have a good selection of apartments for rent across Venice. They're kinda like a centrally managed Airbnb.

I appreciate everyone's response. We are still on the fence. I think this apartment checks most of the boxes, but I would like it to be a little closer to the main attractions. We don't want to be in the thick of things, but closer would be nice.

The vaporetto makes accessing these sights so easy, and riding the vaporettos is fun in itself. If there's outside seating, grab it.
Venice is just not that large. Large enough to get away from the crowds, but small enough that moving about is quick and easy.
Have a great trip!

I would like it to be a little closer to the main attractions

Where I stayed in Cannaregio was maybe a 10 minute walk southeast from Rio de San Girolama. I never felt I was too far from the attractions. One advantage of Cannaregio is that it's pretty close to the vaporetto stop that heads straight to Murano.

Proximity to attractions doesn't matter as much as you think if you combine activities in certain areas. Typically you'll take a vaporetto and get off at San Marco/Rialto/Accademia then explore those areas.

We stayed near the bus station area ( which is also close to the train station) at Hotel Olimpia and I so appreciated the fact of how easy that made arriving and departing. We could get anywhere using the vaporetto with the multi day pass. We also could easily walk everywhere too if we felt like it.

Son Ian & I enjoyed a July 26 multi-day Airbnb stay in this area, fairly a 10-15 minute walk close to the train station. Walked back streets to the “real” Venice for food, life. Our Airbnb front “door” was 12” from the Grand Canal. $$$? If we couldn’t afford it we wouldn’t have been there. Transport was readily accessible via nearby Venice experience vaporetto, & front “door” water taxi to airport. This was an authentic, memorable Euro stay. ab

If you haven't done it yet, try using google maps to check the walking and the walking/vaporetto trip time between where you might stay and the sites you want to see --- I'm often surprised when I do this!

We loved staying in Cannaregio for 10 nights two years ago, on via Garibaldi in Castello several years ago, in Santa Croce 20 years ago, and this year will be near the Zattere dock in Dorsoduro. Wouldn't dream of staying near San Marco.

Does Rick Steves really say not to stay near the train station in VENICE? It's generally good advice, but not for Venice.

hey hey brentep
we've stayed a few times in apartments which was really nice. it's your decision where you feel is better for your family. what are your dates and party of 4 includes kids and ages. are you flying into venice, be careful of arrival time and if leaving from venice departure times can be "ugly" (early early morning 6am or so and transportation to airport) check-in times 3-4pm and check-out times 10-11am.
glad you're planning early even though some calendars may be up now and says "no rooms available".
albergo marin venice on booking.com
across the train station down an alley. we stayed across at hotel carlton capri and walked by this place everyday, outside table & chairs. they do have apartments in a different place (annex read carefully) pick up keys at hotel and walk to annex
casa margherita accademia
casa angeli LT venice apartment (rent by owner)
la levantina near marcuola casino and vaporetto stop
we stayed here and loved it, gated entrance down walkway to door. pation out front to relax, quiet back side is small canal, small restaurants/cafes close by, grocery store down main street towards train station
cabadoer-veniceflat.it (family apartment)
my favorite place to stay, we were in west studio. couple that owns it are fabulous, small elevator, washer, able to drop off luggage till check-in, behind frari church in san polo area, stores,restaurants, activities, attractions. we took a private water taxi $$ (motoscafivenezia.it) from airport, best way to arrive to a new place. we saved for 6 months since not the cheapest
san lio suite near san marco square and canal to ride vaporetto.
it will be busy in high high summer season and HOT, look for A/C, just go with the flow, take a zig or zag down a small alley way , walk down to the castello area, ride across to the lido (venice-guide.info). check out lido di jesolo
options to look at with family and beach days to enjoy
to me, look and book accomodations then book flight. where are you going after venice? you'll have a fabulous time and all happy when your plans are together. come back for more questions and answers, here to help you with the good bad and ugly
aloha

I’ve stayed in Venice six times and would always stay in Canareggio on future visits.
Venice is not so big that you can’t walk everywhere to see the sights.
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