Hello fellow travelers,
What is the best way to get from the airport to the Foresteria Valdese Venezia hotel? We are visiting Italy and this will be our first stop. We will be then headed to Florence and are looking for best way to travel there.
Thanks for any suggestions!!
Katsinca
Are you arriving at the airport?
Your hotel is located between Campo San Giovanni e Paola and Campo Santa Maria Formosa. I think the “best”way for you, meaning the best combination of low price and simplicity, is to follow the very clear directions on the hotel website. They suggest using the the Alilaguna.
https://www.foresteriavenezia.it/accommodations-castello-quarter-venice/
The Alilaguna is a water bus that goes across the lagoon directly to various docks on the island of Venice. There is a clear walkway from the airport arrivals area down to the Alilaguna dock. Buy your tickets before boarding the boat, and get off at Fondamente Nova. The walking directions from there to the hotel are very good, using landmarks.
They also describe the route to the hotel by taking the vaporetto from Piazzale Roma to Rialto and walking from there. This is more complicated, because you have to first take a bus from the airport to Piazzale Roma, then board the right vaporetto going in the right direction, and then navigate on foot a more complicated route from Rialto to the hotel.
The third way, which they do not mention, is to take a water taxi directly from the airport docks to the dock nearest the hotel. The water taxis can go into the small back canals and get you quite close to your hotel. But this is far more expensive than the other methods—-over £120 for a private water taxi; slightly less if you take a shared one.
Here are good directions for walking to the Alilaguna boat dock from the airport arrivals area. Note that you buy your tickets for the Alilaguna before exiting the airport arrivals area.
https://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/venice-marco-polo-airport-moving-sidewalk-to-boats.htm
I always take the Aliguna from the airport. Last year the ticket cost was €14.
Since you will be going along the outer perimeter of the Venetian island group to reach Fondamente Nova, be sure to ride the vaporetto sometime during your stay to enjoy the Grand Canal view. Maybe ride it from the Rialto bridge down to San Marco in the evening to see San Marco when it’s less crowded.
Also, when you’re walking from your hotel to the Rialto bridge, stop at Suso gelato - excellent! Have a great time!
For heading to Florence, take the train from Venice’s (Venezia) Santa Lucia train station to Florence (Firenze) SMN train station. Check the name before you get off of the train; there’s multiple stations in Florence. You can take a vaporetto from your Venice stop to reach the train station.
hey hey katsinca
is this first time to venice? the best way is a private water taxi, we have done it 4X. yes it's the most expensive but they will get you as close to your hotel as they can. how many days will you stay and any plans or just winging it?
motoscafivenezia.it
meets you at airport dock and away you go, beautiful way to see the island, as so so worth it. it will be about 129E and we split it.
our first visit, got so confused and stressful trying to find our place. so many alleyways, some are dead ends, turn around and backtrack, pulling luggage over uneven pavement and bridges. that's why you pack light. i even packed some liquid detergent to sink wash and hang in room overnight.
you can also take a bus to piazzale roma (bus station) about 8E each, then water taxi to your hotel is about 70E total. always validate your ticket at machine box before getting on bus and especially train
check in is usually 2-4pm, may drop bags off and roam around to check out neighborhood, find a restaurant to have a meal, always check times/days places are open. next morning up early and investigate the beauty of venice. you will zig instead of zag and see new things or end of alley into a canal. just have a great time, eat tiramisu, have a spritz or prosecco and enjoy the venice atmosphere. check out is usually 10-11am.
trenitalia or italotreno are the train companies. get to train station "venezia santa lucia" to florence "firenze SM novella", about 2 1/2 hour ride. you are in charge of getting suitcase on, validate ticket, find space in carriage car for bags, sit and enjoy the ride. depending what time, we have bought food & wine like a picnic for ride, or wait till you get to florence. when booking train ticket, they may have a discount for over age 60.
this is my own opinion about private water taxi, save in my "piggy bank" and i'm ready for it. run it by who ever you are traveling with, your decision
aloha
Hello all
Thank you everyone for all the wonderful information that you have shared!here are many great points that have been made. And I especially like the one about getting the gelato. My friend and I are only there I think for 3 or 4 nights before we move on. Our itinerary as of right now is Venice then Florence Rome and lastly Sorento for several days so we can see the sites around there. If anyone has any suggestions regarding those areas and the best way to travel among the cities please advise. Is all information or suggestions is greatly appreciated.
Thank you all again!!!
Katsinca
When is this trip? Safe travels!
