Airport to hotel in Venice. Italy Your Way in 13 Days is coming up next week! Yay! I am still undecided about which mode of transportation for my 14-year-old granddaughter and me to get from the airport to our hotel near San Marco Square. As I am resisting the quickest and most comfortable way (shared boat) because I would prefer the extra $ to go toward more fun tours. However, by the time we arrive will probably be exhausted. My research discusses the crowding and the need to fight off pickpockets while handling luggage on Vaporetto (the floating bus) is not worth the relatively slight savings. I was thinking the Vaporetto would be a fun experience for my granddaughter's introduction to Europe and Venice.
Our hotel is located very close to one of the stops for some modes of transportation and that does sound ideal
Posted by
San Diego, California
5649 posts
The Alilaguna takes your from the airport to Venice, not the vaporetta. Tickets are about 15 € purchased from the machines located around the airport. Check the boards to determine which line you take. I think the routes are included in the RS guide. We were just there a few weeks ago.
Yes, pickpockets are around, but you won't be "fighting them off." The Alilaguna boats aren't like the crowded vaporettos. Just use common sense and keep your passport and valuables in a neck or waist wallet under your clothes. On this most recent trip, I rarely took out my wallet, as almost all businesses used the tap feature, accessing credit cards from your Apple wallet. After a few days I actually quit carrying a wallet, just tucked 40€ in my phone case, and tapped to pay for everything. This is a really nice feature, And if you aren't using it currently, set it up, and practice a few days before you leave.
Safe travels!
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
The Alilaguna is reportedly not very comfortable or pleasant, but it might be better for you than the combination of bus and vaporetto most people use. A water taxi would be quickest and easiest but much more expensive.
My suggestion would be to buy a bus ticket and vaporetto ticket or pass at the airport, take the bus to Piazzale Roma and vaporetto down the Grand Canal to the stop closest to your hotel. If you'll be in Venice for awhile, before or during your tour, you might invest in a multi-day vaporetto pass with unlimited rides for the time you choose. The vaporetto is easy, especially without luggage. Individual rides are very expensive, passes let you take a lot of them, including out to the islands if you want.
You won't be "fighting off" pickpockets but you'll both need to take normal precautions (for Europe) and be alert to what's happening around you. There's lots of good advice under "travel tips" on this website.
Posted by
Sidney, BC, Canada
993 posts
I used the Alilaguna the first time I visited Venice and was lucky enough to get a seat at the front for the best view as we approached the city - and got splashed from an open side window with the wake of a passing boat! Cheapest way is to take the bus from the airport to Piazzale Roma and then the vaporetto to SanMarco.
I have never had to fight off pick pockets on the vaporetto! Yes they are often crowded and there is a lot of jostling (watch out for the Nonnas with their wheeled shopping bags!). I’ve always been more concerned about being knocked out by someone wearing a backpack!
I think if this is a first visit go for an arrival by boat, it’s the optimum way for a first visit. Then during your visit you can get used to traveling on the vaporetto without luggage and will be comfortable using them the next time you go to Venice!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17563 posts
Since you will be arriving after a long and tiring flight, I suggest that you keep it simple and take the Alilaguna, assuming you do not wish to spend more on a shared water taxi. The Alilaguna will be €30 for the two of you, and you will only need to stand in one line and buy tickets once. The boats are comfortable enough; the main fault is the dirty windows that limit views. But with luggage it is a better option than a crowded vaporetto. Save the vaporetto for another day.
If your hotel is close enough to the Santa Maria del Giglio stop (before San Marco), you can take the Orange Line which goes down the Grand Canal.