To Venice from Florence via Train

We stayed here:

http://www.hcampiello.it/inglese/index.php

It was just around the corner from St. Mark's square and a few feet from the Grand Canal. The morning we left (which was super early), we just walked down the short alley and went to the S. Zacharia water taxi stop and waited for the airport water taxi to come around.

This hotel was nice. It was cute and well run. Breakfast was good. Internet access in the main area. Teeny-tiny elevator. It says it has rooms with 4 beds - but I could not tell you if they were nice or not. The double room we booked, was nice. The only proper shower I had in all of our Itlian trip.

Susi -

The vaporetto doesn't go to the airport. That's the muncipal water transport that wanders around through Venice. But it will take you to Piazzale Roma where you can catch a bus to the airport.

There is also the Alilaguna water boat service that does go to the airport. The Alilaguna is not connected to the ACTV vaporetto service and the tickets don't transfer. The difference is that it has service from only a few spots in Venice, but that's not a big deal - the stops they have are central - San Marco and Fondamente Nove being the prime ones. The Alilaguna to the airport is about 14 Euro.

Then there are private water taxis which can run you to the airport from close to your hotel for about 100 Euro.

Hi Susi. I will let someone else respond to the quad-room because I don't have experience there. But yes the water taxi's take you straight to the airport - it is very slick. We hopped on a scheduled departure just feet from our hotel front door and it wisked us to the airport front door. It is hard to recall - but I do think it took like 45 minutes from one to the other maybe? Seems like it wasn't a full hour - but close.

Also, make sure as you arrive in Venice - you get off at the right train station. Rick Steve's points out that you should not get out at "xxx" station and instead wait for "xxx" station. There are multiple train stops that are Venice - so just know the name of yours before you hop off the train.

Hi Amy,

Thanks for the info, I'm more relaxed already about getting to the airport! Where did you stay that was so close to the airport vaporetto stop? You are correct, it's the Santa Lucia train station that we want, thanks!

Susi - Just to clarify things a bit. The vaporetto DO NOT go to the airport in Venice. They go within Venice and to some of the islands in the lagoon but do not go to the aiport.

There are two ways to get to the airport via the lagoon. You can take Alilaguna www.alilaguna.it
It is sort of an airport shuttle boat that leaves a few designated spots in Venice and surrounds and travel to the airport on a set schedule. You can find info at their website. Current cost is 13 euros per person. it takes about an hour to get from Venice proper to the docks at Marco Polo. After that it is about a 5 to 10 minute walk to the terminal.

The other water method is to take a private water taxi, a sleek speedboat that hold 6-8 pepolple and luggage. You could have your hotel arrange the trip for you. It takes about 30 minutes and is very exciting and makes you feel like you're in a James bond movie. But you may want to have his expense account, because the price is around 100 euros.

The other way to get to the airport is to make your way to Pizzale Roma either by walking or vaporetto and then take a bus to the airport. Two busses get you there. An orange ACTV bus is a local, cost 2 euros and takes about 25-30 minutes. The blue ATVO bus is an express, costs 3 euros and takes about 20 minutes.

If you are celebrating 60th birthdays and are bent on having too much fun (and I can't think of a better place to do it than Venice and Cortona)definitely take the water taxi to the airport!
Ciao.

I cannot recommend this hotel enough, Locanda Orseolo. It is a family run hotel with very friendly staff, fabulous rooms, and a breakfast to die for!! It is located just off of St. Mark's Square.

http://www.locandaorseolo.com/

They should be able to accommodate 4 to a room.

The Alilaguna ORO line (gold line) will take you directly from St. Mark's Square to the airport. It is a privately owned transportation line. If your flight is not leaving too early, then this would be the quickest and most direct way to the airport. I have used it twice.

Susi sounds like a fun trip!! Some of the places our family of 4 has stayed while in Venice:

2005 we had a large quad room at Pensione Guerrato with a huge bathroom and located very close to the Rialto Market. Price included a light breakfast.

2007 we stayed in one of Hotel Campiello's apartments, Apt. Bucintoro, with 1 bedroom with a pullout sofa in living room that our boys slept on, 1 awesome bathroom with 2 sinks, tub and separate shower and a kitchenette with refrig. Price includes breakfast at the hotel a few steps away. Their breakfast was good and included meats and cheeses. Hotel Campiello is located a few steps off the Riva so very convenient.

2009 I traveled to Italy with one of my sons, 2 sisters and a niece and we stayed in Hotel Campiello's Apartment Dodesona. It is larger than the Bucintoro mentioned above with 2 bathrooms. Still only has 1 bedroom and a pullout. My son slept on pullout and they put 2 additional beds in the huge bedroom to accommodate the 4 females in our group. The 2 extra beds were not as comfortable as the regular bed but we were here 6 nights and I thought it was fine. They give a 10% discount if you pay with cash.

The only other place we have stayed was Hotel Rialto in 2002 which is located on the Grand Canal near the Rialto vaporetti stop. Our family of 4 had a quad here too but it is kind of pricy and imho isn't worth the money.

I would also inquire with Pensione Guerrato about the apartment they have available. I almost rented it for last summer's trip but went with the apt. at Hotel Campiello. Let me know if I can be of further help. Buon Viaggio!!!

Can't thank you enough for all the great suggestions! I have contacted the Hotel Campiello and they are very willing to work with us by adding 2 extra beds to the room. I will contact Locanda Orseolo today for info. The closer to the airport Alilaguna boat the better as our flight is very early and don't want to be walking the streets while still dark:) Thanks again!

Susi I know it is more expensive to take a water taxi to the airport but so very convenient, takes less time and you could split the cost 4 ways.

Susi you are an inspiration! Have a fabulous celebration in Italy. Since you're celebrating, why not splurge on a water taxi back to the airport :)

Do not know how long you are staying in Venice, but you might want to rent an apartment. Vrbo.com is a great site for rentals, however, most have a 3-night minimum. Nice to stay in an apartment, especially with four people - very homey. We stated in the Castello sestiere - lovely area.
We had a 9:30 am flight from Venice to the US. We took the Aliguna from San Zaccaria. Made it in plenty of time to make our flight.€