Leave Venice by train to Padua

The train to Padova takes about half an hour, check Trenitalia for departure times.

As far as I know, the vaporetti stop at every stop, make sure you take the one going to the train station, not away from it.

If the vaparetto is approaching from your left, that's a good sign. It should display a list of stops. If in doubt, ask a crew member "Ferrovia?".

Take trains marked Regionale Veloce. They cost only 4.05 euro 2nd class or 6.05 1st class, still less than a single vaporetto ride. They will stop at Mestre, then nonstop to Padua. They go pretty much every half hour at 12 and 42 past the hour. There are some gaps in this schedule, like around 10 am and noon, so keep that in mind. Takes 26 minutes.

It will be old hat by the time you have been on the boats a couple of times.

From your location near S. Zaccaria, you can take either the number 1 or number 2 (from different docks).

The number 1 goes up the Grand Canal calling at all stops. The number 2 either goes up the Grand Canal a bit faster, or via S Giorgio and the Giudecca Canal.

It will be old hat by the time you have been on the boats a couple of times.
From your location near S. Zaccaria, you can take either the number 1 or number 2 (from different docks).
The number 1 goes up the Grand Canal calling at all stops. The number 2 either goes up the Grand Canal a bit faster, or via S Giorgi

Nigel, I find it a bit confusing. I am sure it will all make sense once I see it. Are there several docks at each stop?
I google map it and I think that is what I see.
Thanks for explaining it. Sounds pretty easy,
Sue

At that dock there are a bunch of stops. If you go to Googlemaps and do the street view it will make more sense. At some stops there is just the one dock while at others, like San Zaccaria, there are a number of lines that stop there. It IS one of those things that will make more sense when you are there. Both the hotel and the person at the ticket booth will help you.

The area you have chosen is one of the busiest and most complex in Venice because so many people want to get to San Marco from so many places.

Very similar to Times Square.

If I remember correctly, there are as many as 5 different docks right there for large and small vaporettos and ferries, as well as a harbour for gondolas.

People will help you, and there are electronic signs and maps on signs.

I am pleased my bag only weights 22.2 lbs... 3 pounds of contact lens stuff, shampoo, toothpaste etc..

That's your checked bag, right?

All of that shampoo, toothpaste, etc., either has to go into your 3-1-1 bag in your carry on, or has to go into the checked bag. Anything that can be squeezed out, poured out, or is a gel gets that treatment.

If you have 3 pounds of shampoo, toothpaste and lens stuff, remember that Italians use all those things and they can be obtained there, if you need to.

Very similar to Times Square.

Does that mean there will be dozens of people dressed as cartoon characters charging you $10 to get your picture taken with them? :-)

Seriously though, the fastest boats to the train station will be at the dock directly in front of you as you walk to the Riva from the Hotel Campiello. That is the "C" dock, also called the "Jolanda" dock because it is directly in front of the Hotel Savoia e Jolanda. The 4.2 and 5.2 boats go from there. The 4.2 goes at 13, 33, & 53 minutes past the hour during the day and takes 32 minutes to get to the train station. The 5.2 goes at 8, 28, and 48 minutes past the hour during the day and takes 27 minutes to get to the train station. Both of these routes bypass the Grand Canal by going around to the south.

If you want one last tour of the Grand Canal as you leave Venice, take the No 1 boat. This leaves from the "E" dock, also called the "Danielli" dock because it is directly in front of the Hotel Danielli. This will be to your right as you leave the hotel onto the Riva and over a short bridge. This boat goes at 0, 12, 24, 36, & 48 past the hour and takes 46 minutes to the train station. It goes up the Grand Canal and makes all the stops.