Alilaguna Water Bus or Water Taxi?

Water taxi is about 100 euro, Alilaguna is 13 euro a person. So for you it would be about a 48 Euro difference. It would be faster on the water taxi. Does your hotel have a water landing?

Karin,
I would vote for neither. I would take the bus from the airport out over the causeway and hop on a vaporetto to get you close to your hotel. I don't know exactly how much, but I'm sure much cheaper than the Alilaguna (probably E4 or 5 per person) and faster too if I remember right. Once you check in and freshen up you'll have more time and money for exploring Venice. Have a wonderful trip!

We can easily tell you that it is much more practical to take the 3E bus to the Piazzale Roma and then take the inexpensive vaporetto to your hotel. But, this is Venice and there are four of you. Water taxi rates can be as low as 90E. Yep, it's a splurge but this is Venice. If there is adequate daylight, I say go for it. If it's dark, it won't be as fun. Just make sure that there is a good waterway in close to your hotel. You can contact them to be sure. Second, the Alilaguna boats don't make that many stops on the main islands. The Blu and Red lines only make 3. The Hilton Molino Stukey is a 4th. The Orange line makes 4 other stops including Ferrovia (train station) and Rialto. You may be farther away from your hotel than you would like. Check out. www.alilaguna.it.

where are you staying? It will help make a reasonable suggestion on transport. It really is not a hassle to get FROM the airport, but your final destination in Venice can sometimes make one form of transport more convenient than another.

We are staying at Locanda Casa Querini near St. Mark's Square, it shouldn't be too hard to find.

Thanks. Assuming you don't want to spend the money for the water taxi and I probably wouldn't either, you have two choices. Both will drop you off in about the same spot and take a bit over an hour fifteen or so. To take Alilaguna, you will want Linea Blu, Rosso doesn't run late enough. there is a boat leaving at 19:45 arriving at the San Zaccaria stop at 21:00. Both Alilaguna and water taxis leave from the aiport docks which are about an easy 10 minute walk from the main terminal. After exiting arrivals and walking towards the front of the terminal you'll take a left at the cross hall and buy tickets for transport at the kiosks there. Easy when you get there. For the docks exit the terminal and turn left, the path is marked. To take the bus, by the tickets in the same general area. There are two busses. one is an orange ACTV public bus, current cost 2 euro. The other is a blue ATVO fly bus, current cost 3 euro. ATVO is an express, ACTV is alocal so more stops and not as much room for luggage. ACTV around 25-30 minutes, ATVO about 20. Catch both at the front of the terminal. Once the bus arrives at the end of the causeway in Piazzale Roma, you will get off and walk to the Grand Canal, where you will get on a vaporetto that goes to San Marco/San Zaccaria. The vaporetto will cost 6.50 euro each. Kids will pay full fare, the only break is the rolling venice card for 14-29 year olds. If you are going to get multi hour/day passes, they will cover the ACTV bus from the airport as well as the vaporetto ride.

The Alilaguna boat does stop at San Zaccharia so that option looks good. However, the ride from the airport takes 1:12hrs.

The simplicity of the alilaguna is what I like. The bus is easy, and if you've done the vaporetto once, and you know how it works, it's easy too - otherwise you may feel a bit like cattle getting herded for slaughter when it's crowded. Also, you can save a euro or two on the Alilaguna by preordering your tickets online. Printoff the confirmation(s) and bring them to the kiosk on the docks.

I know how long the flight is from SFO and it is tiring. With two children plus luggage, I would splurge and take a water taxi. You will all be very tired (and maybe a little cranky?!?); a taxi is a no brainer. It is pricey but what is 100 euro to the overall cost of your trip? There are times when convenience is priceless. Plus it is a beautiful trip and a great introduction to Venice!!!