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Evening arrival in Venice

I'm a female traveling alone and will be arriving at the Venice airport after 5pm on a Monday in mid May. My plan is to take a water taxi from the airport to the Rialto Bridge and then walk several minutes to my hotel. I'm guessing that I'll be able to catch the 18:50 boat and get to Rialto by 19:53. From a safety perspective, is there anything I should be concerned with?

Posted by
2767 posts

No, you will be fine. This is even before sunset so it won’t be dark. Twilight maybe, but that’s the most beautiful time! Venice is safe after dark, but it’s just easier to manage finding a new place when there’s some light.

Posted by
1224 posts

I havent been to Venice (although will arrive there much later than you at night in June), but have arrived in several European cities at night, and in general, European streets are full of people well past 10p. I would expect a lot of people out walking, and many tourists arriving on your flight also making their way onto the island.

Didnt I read that the water taxi is 110 (cant remember if this is $ or Euro) though?

Posted by
6428 posts

If it's your own water taxi, not an Alilaguna boat, it might be able to take you closer to your hotel than the Rialto Bridge. But probably not right to the door since it has to stay in the water. Taxi, Alilaguna, or bus + vaporetto will all be safe.

Posted by
5 posts

I think the Alilaguna boat is 15 euro if I'm reading the web site correctly. I might look into the vaporetto too if delayed to after dark.

Posted by
1219 posts

Just remember that water taxis and Alilaguna boats are not the same thing. Taxis are a speedboat, Alilaguna boats hold maybe 30 people and are slow.
Consider a bus to Piazle Roma, and then a vaporetto down the Grand Canal to Rialto.

Posted by
5 posts

Ah, thanks for the corrections. I've been looking at the Alilaguna boat.

Posted by
471 posts

As "old ladies", my sister and I felt that Venice was very safe to walk around in and we did a bit of walking after dark. I'd be more concerned about getting turned around in a different space while jet-lagged if this is your first stop. Make sure you know your directions and have the address handy. Venice is a convoluted but wonderful place. Enjoy!

Posted by
88 posts

I also traveled alone in Italy, Venice & other cities. I had no problems.
There are many live camera's on youtube, Venice has a live 24/7 that shows different areas. If interested, take a look and you can see how many people are around during that time frame. It is such a popular destination, so there are always tourists around. Even off the beaten path, local people were always lovely. Have a great time!!!

Posted by
5 posts

I've been using Google Street View to check the area, and will be using Google walking directions once I arrive. Great idea to check out webcams!

Posted by
41 posts

I visited Venice by myself and stayed not far from Rialto Bridge. I walked around at night by myself and felt safe as there were many pedestrians out and about. Have a wonderful time!

Posted by
1219 posts

Google walking directions is pretty crap in Venice. Narrow streets, high buildings.
Buy a paper map at the Tabac at Marco Polo when you arrive.

Posted by
32512 posts

most hotels have a how to find us - or some similar name - page on their website which will probably have a close-up often overhead map or annotated photo with text describing exactly how to get there by various methods including on foot from the nearest vaporetto dock.

Use that,not Google in Venice.

Posted by
15560 posts

In mid-May sunset's around 8.30. Bus and vaporetto sound like a good combination to be. Note that there are two vaporetto stops at the Rialto Bridge, one on each side of the Grand Canal. Be sure to get off on the correct side. Crossing the bridge would be difficult with luggage - lots of stairs and it's usually full of people standing around. Get exact walking directions from your hotel

Posted by
3064 posts

Also emphasizing that Google directions are not much good in Venice.
You need a very detailed paper map to get around.

I think I would take the bus to Piazzale Roma, then get on a vaporetto to get to your accommodation.
The Alilaguna boats are not the greatest...you can't see out as they put the people below and the luggage on deck, and you can't go on the deck at all enroute.

If you are willing to tell us the location of your accommodation, we can certainly help you get there from the airport.
You will love Venice!
It's perfectly safe...I have been there a few times and been solo (female) for a few days each time.

Posted by
5 posts

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm staying at the San Lio Tourist House. I will buy a map at the airport, and look further at the bus/vaporetto option to get to the Rialto Bridge. I'm travelling light and will only have a carry-on size wheeled bag - not great on steps, but otherwise not too difficult to walk with.

Posted by
15560 posts

Don't go out of your way to buy a map at the airport. Just get on the bus or boat and get to Venice. The big paper maps are awkward and you'll get lost anyway when you start wandering around Venice. I used google maps a lot last month when I got turned around. The problem in Venice is that some streets are very narrow with tall buildings, some are covered walkways, so you lose the connection. When you're back in the open or on a wide street, it's okay.

BTW, according to Google maps, your hotel is a 1 minute walk from the best gelateria in Venice, Suso. It also looks like an uncomplicated walk from Rialto Bridge.

Posted by
3064 posts

Some hotels have little fold up maps, so hopefully yours will too.
Most of the kiosks selling papers and magazines have maps.
I have one that is a small thin paperback size that is quite detailed.
If you have a phone with you that will work when you arrive, put in your hotel's phone no., then you can call them if you get turned around in the narrow streets on your way to the hotel.