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From airport to Venice

I read in my RS Travel Guide about using the Alilaguna Airport Boats which seemed like a good option. However, my BnB host doesn’t recommend it. Any suggestions?

Posted by
2430 posts

Bus and vaporetto works fine - there’s a ticket machine in the arrivals hall at the airport. I’ve heard that the Alilaguna has you sitting down low in the water, and the windows are all salt-encrusted, so it’s really not an enjoyable ride.

Posted by
31 posts

On several visits to Venice, we have always scheduled a water taxi to take us directly to our hotel which was on a canal in the middle of Venice. We were the only ones on our boat. Cost for 3 adults was 120. Were were met inside the airport and escorted to our water taxi. Worth the extra cost. Saved our legs for all the walking to come over the course of the next several days. The difference is really cost, time (water taxi is faster), and your fitness/jet lag at the start of the trip.

Posted by
1815 posts

I agree about the water taxi, especially if you have never before been to Venice. It is the ONLY way to approach the lovely city. I didn't schedule ahead of time, but my daughter and I had no problem getting right aboard a taxi heading our way. Yes, it is expensive, but you will never regret it.

Posted by
31 posts

We took the water bus last time and my god was it slow and as mentioned they sit you in the belly of the boat and the windows are weathered so you don't see much. It took us 90+ minutes from the airport to St Marks Square when a private water taxi would have been 15-20 minutes, so if you can afford the extra cost of the private taxi it's the way to go it will save you time, give you a better experience and show you Venice in a way you won't see otherwise. I have also taken the regular bus from the airport to Mastre and train in from there but that takes 90 minutes too and you have to lug your bags and make transfers, it's a lot after a long flight. That said, if you've never been to Venice the view from stepping out of the train station and seeing the canal and colorful buildings sealed the deal for me that Venice is the most beautiful place I had ever seen. I promised my wife if we ever go through Venice airport again we would go private water taxi.

Posted by
5953 posts

I have also taken the regular bus from the airport to Mastre and train
in from there but that takes 90 minutes too and you have to lug your
bags and make transfers, it's a lot after a long flight.

No need to do this.
The airport bus takes you to Piazalle Roma (on Venice proper) in about 30 min. From there you can take a vaporetto or walk to your lodgings

Posted by
7 posts

Any recommendations for a hotel in Venice proper that’s convenient for sightseeing the next 3-4 days?

Posted by
19635 posts

Most critiques of the Alilaguna boats echo blazerskj7315's experience. I always enjoyed the bus/vaporetto method and there is a combined ticket for a slight discount that makes it a little cheaper than the Alilaguana. As far as a private water taxi being the ONLY way to arrive in Venice, sure, if you got an extra 135 EUR floating around in your pocket.

Posted by
26829 posts

ttam, if you're looking for hotel suggestions for this week, I don't know that you'll find a room available at the places folks recommend here. They're likely to be especially good values, and that sort of place gets snapped up well in advance. It may work best if you look at booking.com to see what's available in your price range and then ask for input about specific hotels.

In any case, it would be useful to know how many people you are trying to house and your nightly hotel budget in euros.

Posted by
3064 posts

Yes, the Alilaguna is cheaper and convenient, but you see nothing from the below-waterline cabin.
The windows are grubby and above your head.
Passengers are not allowed on deck while underway, and the luggage is stored on deck so it can get wet if you have the same cowboy driver we had last time, swerving in and out the wakes and driving very fast.
It's good if your accommodation is near one of its stops, though.