My boyfriend and I will be going to Venice for two nights next week. Unfortunately, we have to tote along our checked bags (one each) because we are flying out of Italy after Venice. I was planning on us getting some sort of long-term vaporetto pass in Venice to use to & from the railway station as well as to wherever else we want to go in Venice. Do you think it would be worth it, or should we try hauling our bags across Venice by foot? (Our hotel is right by San Marco.) Also, I read that extra luggage requires a ticket on the vaporetto--is this true? Any other Venice navigation tips would be greatly appreciated! Thank you. :)
Posted by
Cary, NC
687 posts
You could leave the big bags at left luggage at the train station...
Posted by
OP
Boise, ID, USA
11 posts
Can they be left overnight?
Posted by
Germany, Germany
813 posts
We were in Venice last weekend. Get the water bus pass. You get unlimited rides for one person and one piece of luggage for the desired amount of time you pay for. Assumably you'll come into S. Lucia or Piazzale Roma area, so instead of hauling your luggage up and down all the bridges, just hop on the water bus around to San Marco area, it's the easiest way.
Posted by
Cary, NC
687 posts
Kimi - I didn't leave mine that long but I would certainly think so. But just how big are they? With only one each you should be able to get them on the vaporetto - I certainly wouldn't walk to San Marco even with light luggage.
Posted by
OP
Boise, ID, USA
11 posts
Thank you Kathy. Do you know if that one piece of luggage applies to backpacks? I will have my shoulder bag (purse), a backpack, and my suitcase with me.
Posted by
Germany, Germany
813 posts
The picture on the ticket signage is the cost of the ticket with a picture of a piece of luggage, so I believe it just means one suitcase type. We had backpacks, along with other purchases and frankly no one working the boats care. It may say in the fine print somewhere exactly what it means, but I'd say you will be fine with the one piece of luggage ticket, even if you're carrying a backpack and purse as well.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
I've never seen anybody stopped for too much baggage on a vaporetto, and I've been to Venice several times. Almost everybody else on the vaporetto will also have luggage, and in the high tourist season it can be a nightmare...but it CAN be done. Just be sure to take off your backpack on a crowded vaporetto out of courtesy to people standing behind you.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32756 posts
and hold on. "Luggage" type luggage goes in the middle of the boat next to the captain. More than one = more money. Backpacks you keep with you don't count.
Posted by
Ballwin
833 posts
I don't always follow the RS boards rules of only bringing a carry-on bag (I'm a heavy packer compared to many on here), but I do believe that you should not bring such large or heavy bag unless you can carry it yourself. I carried mine up four flights of stairs in Zurich to reach my hostel room. And I also managed Venice with it. We arrived at the train station and I made it over the bridges, etc. Not the most fun, but it can be done. If you want to make it easier on yourself though, definitely use the vaporetti.
Posted by
Anna Texas, USA
144 posts
Did it - it can be done, but you will get a good workout. Make sure your luggage has good wheels.
Thanks - Bill
Posted by
Austin, TX
48 posts
I don't know this specific station's policy, but you will likely find that left luggage stations do not hold luggage overnight, so this will probably not work for you. Italians are very cautious about luggage that is left around untended to in train stations, if you know what I mean. I don't know if there is a hotel in the area around the rail station but you might have better luck asking one of them in advance instead, and they might hold your bags overnight for a fee.