My sister and I are going to Venice next month and while she appears fine she can be unsteady on her feet due to an old but serious injury. Every time I catch the Vaporetto in front of the train station it's really a crush with not a seat in sight. We're traveling very light so luggage isn't much of an issue. Would I have a better chance of snagging a seat for my sister by us walking over to the Piazzale Roma vaporetto stop? If the board thinks this is a loser idea I will probably spring for a taxi. Her first and probably only trip to Italy so I want it to all go (reasonably) smoothly. She is SO excited! And I am excited for her - what joy to be able to share a place you love with someone you love huh!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32801 posts
I've often taken the boat from Ferrovia to P Roma and turned around there to get a better chance at a seat or a better chance at a bow seat. Its also true that a lot of people congregate in the standing area when there are still seats in the cabin.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Marie, Nigel's suggestion sounds good to me. The vaporetti tend to do a circular route, so if time spent on the vaporetto isn't a problem, just catch one going in the other direction (check to be sure it makes the stop you want) and you'll get to your destination. I did this several times last summer to avoid the crush at the Rialto stop.
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, United States
864 posts
Great suggestions and many thanks. Think we will catch a boat headed towards Piazzale Roma and enjoy getting to S.Zaccaria the long way. Early evening we will take the 51/52 back and forth, soaking it all in until hunger strikes:)
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
A couple of rows of seats in the vaporetti are reserved for the pregnant, elderly, handicapped. Your sister can sit there. If the seats are taken by non-handicapped, non-elderly, etc just ask them to move...point to the sign above the seats that say reserved.