We will be staying in Venice for three nights at the Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort. There were no available water taxis for any of the days we were visiting. I was able to book a transport pick up at the train station to take us to the Hotel. I understand there is an art festival during that time. I did book a tour for one of the days but the available times were very limited. Any other recommendations or things we might need to know about during our stay? Thanks in advance for any advice.
Posted by
Massachusetts
841 posts
The Venice Biannale starts on April 20, 2024 with some pre-opening activities for a few days before then.
Posted by
2 posts
Hello, We are traveling to Venice in a couple weeks and also staying at the Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort. We are a family of 4 and are trying to take public transportation. I am having a hard time understanding how to get from the Sanat Lucia Train station to the resort. You mentioned you booked a transport pick up at the train station to take you to the hotel. can you share more?
Thank you
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Hello. I booked through Welcome Pickups. I looked at the train and the bus and thought it might be much with luggage. I was told, via e-mail from the hotel, that the concierge will return to the hotel on April 1st. The hotel is not open until April 8th. I hope this helps. I have not used them before but they seem to have service in a lot of places.
Posted by
Washington DC
27122 posts
Venice has both water taxis, which are very, very expensive, and ferry boats (vaporettos). Are the vaporettos not running? I don't know whether the seasonal Line 20 will be operating yet in April; if it is, it will get you really close to your hotel. You can catch Line 20 at the San Zaccaria stop near San Marco, which is a vaporetto ride from the train station. Either Line 1 or Line 2 would work (see below).
If it's too early in the year for Line 20, you'd need to take Line 1, 2, 5.1 or 5.2 from the train station to Lido-Santa Maria Elisabetta. Line 1 goes down the Grand Canal, giving you wonderful views but making a lot of stops. Lines 2, 5.1 and 5.2 are faster but go around the outside of Venice, where the views aren't as good. From the S. M. Elisabetta vaporetto stop on the Lido, you'd need to walk or take a taxi to your hotel. You can check Google Maps to see how far it is. You'd probably want to take a taxi with luggage. There are also buses on the Lido; that's something you might want to explore for use after you are luggage-free.
Are you sure you want to stay out on the Lido? I haven't been there yet, and I don't doubt that it's attractive, but it isn't like being in Venice proper from the standpoint of atmosphere. There are cars and buses on the Lido. Staying on the Lido means essentially having to commute into Venice every day, which will cut into your sightseeing time.
Unless you're so flush with cash that you're willing to use private water taxis to get back and forth ($$$), you'll be making a lot of vaporetto trips. Vaporetto tickets for adults cost 9.50 euros each, so a multi-day vaporetto pass will probably save you quite a lot of money. Prices are as follows:
24 hours: 25 euros
48 hours: 35 euros
72 hours: 45 euros
168 hours (7 days): 65 euros (cheapest option if the 72-hour pass is too short)
I think there's a less expensive option for children, but I don't know the details. You can buy vaporetto passes inside the train station, I believe, as well as at the sales booth near the vaporetto boarding platforms in front of the train station. There are some vaporetto stops where there is neither a ticket window nor a vending machine, so don't risk getting caught at one of those stops without a pass or a ticket.
Here's the current map of vaporetto lines: https://www.venice.nu/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/mappalineedinavigazione-OTTOBRE2023web.pdf
I'd recommend downloading the CheBateo app. It will help you figure out the best route as you move around Venice.
Posted by
2 posts
I responded earlier this week regarding transportation to Hotel Excelsior Lido Resort. I reached out the Water Taxi service that was listed on another blog here and here is their response.
Dear Mr. Kaine,
Thank you for contacting us! Unfortunately, from April 15 to 21 we do not take any reservation due to the opening of the Biennale d’Arte 2024. Therefore, if you need a transfer in this period, I suggest you to call our 24h switchboard on the same day +39 041 5222303.
Kind regards,
Once at resort, The Hotel Excelsior offers a complimentary shuttle service exclusively for their guests from and to St Mark's Square, available all day. The hotel’s dock on Venice Lido sits in a secluded bay and our attentive staff will be ready to welcome and assist you. The ride takes approximately 15-20 minutes. They do not allow luggage.
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