We're flying into the Venice airport the evening of 10 Sep 2014. The three of us will be in Venice until 13 Sep, leaving that morning. I'm confused about which pass to buy for our trip from the airport to S. Angelo boat stop. Which one is for 2 or 3 days and includes the airport trip? We don't need roundtrip to the airport as we'll be seeing other cities after Venice. Also, one of us will be using a wheelchair due to illness. Does anyone know if there is a discount for the handicapped? If so, how do you buy that ticket?
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Two separate tickets
One for the ride to Venice http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/venice_airport_boat.htm
you would want the orange line.
And the Vaporetto pass http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/venice-tourist-travel-cards.htm
Read carefully, buy only the # of days you really need
The Venice Unica pass is usually not a good value and does not include transportation
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34350 posts
All the options are shown on http://www.veneziaunica.it/en/ecommerce/products/pack/biglietti-turistici-actv which is the official website for tourist facilities in Venice. You can add the bus from Marco Polo airport for €4 one way onto any validated vaporetto pass.
Single tickets on vaporetti are €7 so the €30 for 48 hours and €40 for 72 hours begin to look pretty good.
Persons in wheelchairs pay € 1,30 and tickets are valid for 75 minutes from validation. In the time available, passengers can use all of Actv's waterborne services (except those of route Alilaguna, 16, 19, 21, and Casinò). You can purchase this this ticket at Hellovenezia Ticket Points. If the person in a wheelchair has a carer they are free.
I have seen several residents who manage getting around Venice by wheelchair and use the vaporetti. The staff are quite understanding but be aware that there are no ramps onto the boat, the boat will be secured from going back and forth but will be constantly going up and down on the waves while boarding and disembarking, and that there is a substantial height difference between the dock and the boat usually. The carer really has a lot of work to get the wheelchair on and off especially if the person is at all large.
Venice will be quite a challenge with a wheelchair. It is made up of hundreds of little islands side by side and all of these are separated by water over which a bridge with steps is built. I can count on two hands the number of stepfree bridges that I am aware of, mostly in S Danieli area of S Marco.
The calles are pretty darn narrow for two able bodied people passing side by side and will be challenging for a wheelchair.
I'm quite aware of disabled issues because of the nature of my job; I would see Venice as quite challenging, more than London.
The Alilaguna is likely to be even more difficult because of how low it rides in the water.
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
As Nigel noted, Venice will be challenging with a wheelchair, and will benefit from careful selection of the location of your hotel and careful planning. However, one additional note related to that – when I was there last fall, I saw ramps on several of the bridges that hadn't been there the preceding years. They were large bridges in the San Marco area. I don't know whether that indicates a decision on the part of Venice to put ramps on more of the bridges.
Also, it would be a good idea to investigate all options for getting from the airport to Venice by wheelchair. I believe the Alilaguna boats would be particularly challenging.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you all!
Posted by
Carmel, CA, USA
2456 posts
I agree that getting around Venice using a wheelchair will be a challenge. Since you say your situation is due to an illness, maybe the person in the wheelchair can get out once in a while when that would facilitate getting around. When I have been in Venice, twice in the past year, I have seen very few wheelchairs among either residents or visitors. I was told that in conjunction with a recent marathon or similar race, a number of the bridges had been equipped with metal ramps, and that many others beyond the racers appreciated them. Not sure what that means for the future, whether they might be left in place, or if some bridges might have more permanent ramps installed. The steps are not only difficult for people with mobility problems, but also parents with young children in strollers, people with luggage or shopping carts and packages, and older people with limited stamina or respiratory problems. Good luck! By the way, one place that I did notice a number of people in wheelchairs was on the island of Burano in the lagoon, which is quite flat. It may be the location of living facilities for the elderly or handicapped. Not so easy or quick to get to, but a great place to wander around. Very colorful neighborhoods, great seafood, plus lace if you like lace.