My husband and I are leaving for Italy in a couple of weeks. One of the places we'll be visiting is Venice. I have read that the vaporettis can be packed and it is recommended that you carry your backpacks in front of you getting on to the vaporettis. Does anyone have experience with just how crowded it will be and how difficult it is to manage luggage on the vaporettis? My husband and I will both have large backpacks along with one small suitcase. We were hoping to check the suitcase at the train station (haven't looked into whether this is possible) to make things a bit easier. Any tips on how to manage luggage would be appreciated! Thanks!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
It's true that the vaporettos can be packed. It seems OK to jump on with roller bag that can sit in front of you but backbacks are different. I would suggest that you take your backpacks off and place them in front of you.
Most large Italian train stations have staffed luggage storage areas. I'm looking at the Trenitalia website and it shows that Venezia Santa Lucia has a "Deposito Bagagli". However, I have not used it and I can't tell if the facility is staffed.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
The vaporetti (singular is vaporetto) can indeed be packed to the brim, making it very difficult to maneuver with luggage. Definitely take off your backpack to have it in front of you, partly so you can avoid hitting people behind you with it, and partly to watch for pickpockets.
Also, they waste no time getting people on and off once the boat pulls up to its stop, so anticipate your stop and be ready to get off, otherwise you might get stuck on your boat.
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
207 posts
We boarded a very crowded #1 Vaporetto at the train station and had no trouble putting our two modest suitcases next to the luggage rack behind the Operator's cabin. Or you could wait for the next one and be up front of the line and get places in the luggage racks. Don't sweat it... George, Pittsburgh
Posted by
Northborough, MA
636 posts
Our family of 5, each with a largish rolling duffel and a backpack took the crowded #1 from Piazzale Roma and back to the Santa Lucia train station without any problems whatsoever. Once on the vaporetto, we were told to go inside. It seems that they don't want the central, open area cluttered with passengers with suitcases.
You'll be fine with the baggage that you have.
Posted by
Seneca
60 posts
Sarah, the problem for us wasn't the Vaparetti, the problem was all the steps to cross the canals!! We had 2 rolling carry-ons and a back pack. The boats are very crowded, and we found that on our way out of Venice we could walk to Piazzale Roma just as easy as the catching the V. back to it.
Posted by
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
705 posts
Don't worry about it. You won't believe the things people take on board. Everyone just seems to make way and if it is really crowded wait for the next one. It will be easier to take your back packs off and will also avoid knocking people with them.
Posted by
Dallas, TX, USA
186 posts
You will be fine using the vaporettos. Just watch your stuff closely and use good common sense. If your backpacks have outer zippers, don't put valuables in those, etc. People with lots more luggage than you have will be lugging it on and off the boats.
Posted by
Dayton, OH, US
8 posts
I would suggest leaving your luggage at the ferrovia (train station). And, IMHO I believe Venezia is best seen by foot ~ take the Dorsoduro itinerary instead of the tourist route into San Marco. Just ret'd from a visit there and lived and worked in the Veneto until 2000 for more than a decade, so played tour guide many a time in La Serenissima. Throughout Italy tourists must be aware of personal effects. And watch out for those who may try to 'help' you get your belongings on to the train. Buon viaggio! BTW, if you want to go inside the Basilica, they have a website and you can schedule your visit so as to not wait in the very long lines ~ esp. dreadful in August with the heat.