St Lucia Train Station To Zatterre ro St Marks, Venice

I'm assuming you've ben told to get to the Zattere vaporetto stop to catch the Molino Stucky's own boat. Just go to the vaporetto (water buses) stop in front of the train station and catch the 82 or 1 to go down the Grand Canal for a great introduction to Venice. Buy tickets or a multi-day pass at the ticket booth right on the canal front.

Sally, it's really easy to get to the Hilton on an inexpensive vaporetto. From the Piazzale Roma (or the train station), take the No 41 vaporetto to the Palanca stop. Should be the third or fourth stop. (Zattere is across the Giudecca canal from Palanca). We've stayed at the Hilton and we've done this. The vaporettos are water buses. As such they hold a lot of people (mostly standing up). You won't have trouble with your luggage. My wife and I didn't. Please try to avoid the water taxi. It is very expensive for the 5-7 minute ride. You are correct on the fare.

From the Palanca stop, you still have a 800'-1,000' walk to the hotel. It's a nice walk past some nice restaurants. You will cross two canals. Bumpty bump with the luggage. The second canal crossing is next to the Hilton and their staff are usually there to help. Other stops may appear closer but trust me, they are not. We've already made that discovery.

I suspect that you may be asking about St. Marks because the Hilton has a free shuttle there. This is true. To get to St. Mark's, take the #1 towards Lido (coming from your right and departing to your left from the train station). The #1 vaporetto is the local and stops at every stop. An alternate is to take the #2 vaporetto (formerly the #82) which is more of an express. It has fewer stops. Coming off the vaporetto, turn to your right and walk down the canal about 300 feet more or less. The private Hilton shuttle comes in at a private dock. There is a small sign on the canal edge that says "Hilton". You will almost be upon it before you see it so look carefully. You'll love the hotel and the rooms.

Thank you so much... this is very useful info for me! Actually, I was asking about Zattere because the hotel indicates to me they have a shuttle that stops there. Maybe we wont have to walk afterall? Here was their reply to me...."The hotel provide a complimentary boat to Zattere and Saint Mark square it is free of charge"

The alternative was that they offered to meet us for $136 EU... dont need or want that!

To Doug and larry....

I will in fact be at Piazalle Roma and not train station afterall... Which is the correct vaporetto from Piazalle? You are correct... the hotel offers transfer from Zatterre.

Your kindness in clearing this up is sincerely appreciated.... it is expensive enough just to eat in Venice... so saving $ on water taxis HELPS! Of coruse... it is worth every penny to eat in Venice!

PS... if you have good ideas on great food at good prices... we'll be sure to raise our glasses to you in a toast!

Sally -

From Piazzale Roma it's exactly the same drill. Both the #1 and the #2 (formerly the 82 - thanks, Larry) leave from there. Pick the boat that shows it goes to Ferrovia-Rialto, etc.

It will all make sense once you're there. No need to shell out more money for a water taxi. Good luck!

Sally, Zattere is just across the canal from the Palanca stop. However, the #41 doesn't go there. Only the #2 stops at both. Thus, you can take the #2, from the Piazzale Roma to Zattere. Or, since you don't want Palanca, you can now take the #51 or #61 which stops at Zattere but not Palanca. For the #51, it's the 2nd stop. For the #61, it's the 3rd stop. Then, you can take the Hilton shuttle across the canal to the private hotel stop. Note that the #2 goes in both directions. If you get on and all of a sudden you stop at Ferrovia and go under the Rialto bridge, you went the wrong way. Not to worry. It's a great ride down the Grand Canal and you can get off at St. Marks to pick the Hilton shuttle there or simply stay on as it rounds into the Giudecca canal. It will eventually stop at Zattere.

As for restaurants, the Aromi in the Hilton is great but pricey. So is their other restaurant. When you are at the Zattere stop, look around a bit. There are several very nice restaurants along the walk there. Some have sidewalk tables along the canal. Once again, the Hilton shuttle can get you over there for dinner.