Private watertaxi in Venice from Marco Polo Airport

Hi Leslie - Water taxis are fun if you don't mind the roughly $125.00 expense from the Airport to Piazza San Marco area. Vaporetto #81 for a few euros each will also get you there - a little slower but still, a pleasant ride.
Either way, both are available at the same area outside the airport and down by the water. I actually think your grandma would be able to walk onto the Vaporetto where she would have more difficulty getting in and out of the water taxi.
Pensione Guerrato is in a great location by Rialto and is only a short walk to Piazza San Marco. Certainly enjoy the "Battle of the Bands" at night in the main square as the Cafes compete for your attention - enjoy BUT don't sit down - very pricy cover!

Enjoy Italy, Greg

For 6 a water taxi is worthwhile. I would just wait until you get there though and negotiate at the water taxi dock or the airport station. 6:45 arrival if you land on time, out of the airport 7:30- 8 pm, still early-ish in Venice. Does your hotel have a water taxi window or dock? If so, then that it really is the least stressful way to arrive, beautiful too! We shared a water taxi with another couple this May and easily could have fit another couple and their luggage as well on our ride. Some of those who do the advance reservations add a hefty markup, I would expect anywhere form 90-140 euros.

Thank you! The information helps.

Leslie,
I don't think you'll find the water taxi any easier. By that I mean the vaparetto is very easy. We stayed at the Pensione Guerrato in May. It is very easy to get there, just a few steps, and only a few minutes wait. I know you'll enjoy the Guerrato, it is so convenient and breakfast was very good(also they serve before the announce time).I can'timagine paying that; save it for the food, which is great, but expensive. Have a wonderful trip.

Leslie you can easily get a water taxi at the airport that can accommodate 6 people and luggage. There is no need to reserve in advance. We have done it several times and most recently this past July with our group of 5 people. The price was 105 Euros ($147) and we gave him a $10 tip. You can arrange for a water taxi down at the dock or right at the airport. It is very easy--after you exit the baggage claim area you will see a water taxi desk where you can get the pricing, etc. You will pay for the taxi here and they will give you a slip which you in turn will take down to the dock. It is about a 10 minute walk from the terminal, under a covered walkway, to the dock. If you want to be picked up in front of the terminal and driven to the dock it is a bit more expensive and you can ask them at the desk. On previous visits (2005 and prior) there was a free shuttle between the water taxis and terminal but it was not available on our 2007 visit nor this past summer. We enjoyed our stay at Pensione Guerrato and I know you will too. Buon Viaggio!

We took the water taxi in from the airport...it was 90 euro for the four of us..so you can expect to pay a little more than that. It is worth EVERY penny!! You really start your trip right and the taxi "driver" will take you the best way in that is closes to your destination. We stayed in a little hotel near the Realto stop and it was perfect. There's a LOT of walking and small bridges all through Venice..so keep that in mind when you plan your days.

Hopefully someone with more experience with your situation can reply; till then, here's my experience:
I guess it depends on how much money are you willing to part with. A patient of mine took the water taxi from the train station area to San Marcos area (a ways beyond the Rialto Market stop) and they paid $150 (I'm pretty sure he said dollars) one way, not including tip! HE felt it was well worth the money and did the same thing for the return trip; I was aghast! I would never spend that much for a fifteen minute trip if I could get the same trip for a few dollars. I felt it was more important to save my money when I could in order to spread it around more; but that was my priority, and I know you have other considerations and circumstances than I.
On the vaporetto, there is a seating area in the back, and sometimes in front. You do have to get through the people standing up to get to it, and to get off the vaporetto, but with a few "permesso"s, it's all good.
I don't know if you'd take the water taxi from the airport or if you can only get those once you arrive in Venice. You may have to take a bus or the train from the airport into Venice; I would think that is the way you're going to have to do it... but again, I don't know for sure.
The way by train is very simple: when you get off the train, follow the crowd. You will enter onto a plaza and see small buildings with yellow at the rooflines. There will be crowds in front of them; that's where you get the vaporetto tickets. From there, by vaporetto with all the stops, the Rialto Market stop is about 15 minutes.
One last thing: the "Street" the Pensione Guerrato is on looks like an alley, and the street sign will be up high on a building. So watch for it, or you'll pass it like I did a do WAY too much walking!! =-) Good luck!

Thank you for all your advise. I was worried I needed to make a reservation in advance. I will just wait until I get there and figure it out. I now have options and can see how the group is doing when I get there before making the final decision. I will probably end up with a water taxi. Thanks again!!

My experience with the water taxi was good. We did reserve it in advance but you dont have to. I just searched venice water taxi websites and looked for the best price. I would compare how much is it for six to take the vappareto and compare it to the price and ease of the watertaxi

venicewatretaxi.com
tourome.com