arrival to Venice

Like all answers, Depends.
Where is your hotel? Name? What time is your flight scheduled to land?
For your departure, Depends.
Is this a transatlantic flight, or a flight to another destination in Europe? And again, where is your hotel location?

The alilaguna water bus is reasonable and they gave a stop near RIalto Bridge. It's a little slow though, maybe an hour from the airport. I took this in May 2019. I don't know why people always fat forward to water taxis, widely known these cost top dollar (euro)--check your guidebook on this. Bus can also work but it depends upon where you are staying.

Buses run several times an hour from the airport to Piazzale Roma, the only place in Venice where vehicles can go. From there you can either walk to your hotel if it's nearby or take a vaporetto (water bus) along the Grand Canal to the stop nearest the hotel. This website has helpful information.

I second Dick's comments. The first 2 or 3 times we were in Venice we took the Alilaguna, but we realised that it takes a long time and you cannot see anything through the windows due to salt.

I would use the bus to Piazzale Roma and walk or use Vaporetto, but since I know nothing about your taste or where your hotel is, I will just link you to this other page on the same site Dick mentioned: https://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/arriving_in_venice.htm

Arrival time matters. The Alilaguna doesn't run 24/7. If a very late arrival, I suggest staying at an airport hotel until daylight. Venice is not the place you want to be wandering looking for a hotel. It is dark, narrow, twisty. Signage is on the buildings and may be difficult to see. Hotels are also not always front desk accessible 24/7.
That being said, there seems to be a porter system that will move your bags with you, so I assume also guide you. From Piazzella Roma.

Bus is fastest and cheapest. From there to your hotel.

Get used to calling the standard boat 'ferry' system - Vaporetto. A water taxi is a private rental so very expensive.

Take the bus from the airport to the Plaza close to the main train station. You can walk to your hotel or take the vaporetto.
This is if you want to save $$$.

There are 3 ways to get from the airport to your hotel. You are correct about a private water taxi being the most expensive. I understand there is now a shared water taxi system available but we haven't used it so can't comment. Perhaps other can offer insight.

Next is the Alilaguna boat and it is less expensive. It does take longer, you do have to "check" you baggage so you don't have control of it the entire time, and you probably will not be able to get a "non stop" line to the area of your hotel.

The third (and least expensive) way is a combination bus and vaporetto (vap.). It takes a bit longer, but that is what we do because we travel with just a carry on and small personal bag each. There are two bus lines that serve the airport. One is ATVO and is NOT affiliated with the vap. system. The other is ACTV and IS affiliated with the vap. system. At the airport you can get a vap. pass for various periodss. You can add a one way or two way bus fare to the vap. pass. There is a good site maintained by the ACTV system that has current prices and such. Can't remember the url so just google it.

If you decide to do option # 3, take the # 5 ACTC bus from the airport to Piazzale Roma. Be sure and validate the vap. pass on the bus. Do not wait until you get on the vap. Also, validate the pass each time you use the vap. Then take to the vap. to the stop closest to your hotel. We've done option # 3 many times. Easy Peasy and cheap to boot.

Knowing the name and location of the hotel will probably enable us to give you specific directions about the vap. line and stops. It may even be possible to use google maps street view to walk the route to the hotel to help avoid getting lost.

There is a site called veniceforvisitors.com that has a lot of good info. that you might want to check out.

Definitely look into the vaporetto passes to see if they would benefit you. While slightly expensive, I find them to be a bargain compared to pay-as-you-go vaporetto tickets. You can add a round trip bus ticket to vaporetto passes purchased at the airport for a reasonable additional fare.

How long before your 1pm flight you need to depart for the airport depends on where you're staying, what type of luggage you have, how you plan to check in and whether your flight is intra-EU or international. If you're staying near Piazzale Roma, have only carry-on luggage, check in online and are on an intra-EU flight, then about 2.5 hours should be sufficient (some might even say 2.0 hours). If you have an international flight, add an hour. If you plan to check luggage or check in at the airport, add waiting time for that. If you have to travel to Piazzale Roma, then add travel time for that too. It can add up.

hey hey araj28
the best way is water taxi, it's gets you as close to hotel as possible in less time. yes it is expensive, about 115E. check at motoscafivenezia.it and change language. you will need pickup time, #bags, hotel, flight code & time. we have used this 3 times with 4 of us. great way to arrive in venice
venicelink.com under shuttle. it is shared for 25E with a waiting time to fill up boat. click buy now and read what's involved and where they stop and if it's near your hotel.
as i.p. enersen says europeforvisitors.com has excellent information about all involved with venice.
it's your decision what's important and best for you. these posters have told you good info for other transportation. don't know where you are flying from, within europe or international, what time do you arrive in venice? whatever you decide, hotel name and directions should be printed and keep them with you, also ask you host/hostess. make sure you give yourself enough time plus to get to airport. best be there early then be rushing and stressing to not miss flight. happy travels, you'll love this magical place.
aloha

Thank you to all who replied.
to respond and detail my general question, I am flying in from the US but have a connection in Paris. I land mid morning about 11 am and are staying near the Rialto bridge. My problem with the water taxi is the price. I am a lone traveler. I have no one to share the expense and it is expensive. Plus the site online that I looked at required 2 people and would not let me book for one person, making me pay for 2 people which is of course double the price. Is there a water taxi that allow a single traveler to reserve transit?
Do I have to make a reservation ahead of time, ie from the US on line? Or can I find a water taxi upon arrival?
Returning to the airport is the reverse problem. Single traveler, from Rialto bridge area to airport for mid day, noonish flight. I am not sure I want to haul a large rolling duffle on the water bus.

I have also heard there is a train from the airport to the island but am unsure how that works
Thank you for all the suggestions

I have also heard there is a train from the airport to the island but am unsure how that works

You heard wrong.

Take the bus plus vaporetto from the airport. The bus is the No 5, right outside the airport exit door. It will take you to Piazzale Roma bus station, There, you will transfer to the No 1 vaporetto (water bus) to Rialto if your hotel is on that side of the bridge, or Rialto Mercato if your hotel is on the San Polo side of the bridge. Cost is 14 EUR for a combined ticket.

Another option is to take the Alilaguna boat to Rialto. From the upstairs of the airport, take the moving walkway to the airport dock. Take the A boat (Arancia) to Rialto. Cost is 15 EUR. https://www.alilaguna.it/en/lines/lines-map

Return to the airport is the same for both.

Forget a water taxi unless you want to pay 120 EUR. You can also book a shared water taxi for about half that, but you will have to wait until they get enough people and you may be the last person dropped off.