Using the Alilaguna boats: is the water ride rough or smooth

Hi Judy, it’s similar to a vaporetto ride. The lagoon is shallow, so it’s not a rocky ride. Each time I’ve been to Venice, we took the Alilaguna from the airport, and it takes us to the vaporetto dock very close to our favorite hotel.

I haven’t taken the Alilaguna, but have read that it’s really not so pleasant- you would be sitting down low in the water, and the windows tend to be salt-encrusted so you can’t really see out well. If you took the bus to the Piazzale Roma, you could then take a vaporetto to San Marco.

My first trip to Venice I tool the Alilaguna to San Marco and then Vaparetto to my hotel as I wanted to approach Venice from the water. Ride was smooth but got a bit choppy when other boats passed and I did get sprayed as a window was open. Other trips I have used the bus to PR and then Vaporetto, a huge difference in price!

between the airport and the approach to the main Venice area the water is quite open, and while the Alilaguna maintains a stately (some might say grindingly slow) speed, they are near the routes taken by the water taxis who don't restrain their speed so much in open water (only ambulances, fire and police can speed in the canals). I took the Alilaguna once a few years ago and won't do it again (too much fumes, no view, uncomfortable) and remember catching the wake of the taxis or broaching, and having some movement. I did not feel ill (but after 60 years of boats and ships I never do) and I didn't notice any of my (many) fellow passengers turning green.

That was on a calm dry day. The amount of swell and choppiness will be a result of the wind and tide.

I prefer the bus and vaporetto combo.

Thank you everyone for all your helpful information. I will take all your advice to heart and make the best decision for myself once the time is nearer my trip.

hey hey judy.
see if other people sign up for shared water taxi. here many reviews about alilaguna and many have not liked it. you are in charge of luggage, hope you have a seat, low in water, can't see much with "foggy" windows. we have done the private water taxi but there were 2 or 4 of us to share cost. like other say take the bus to piazzale roma then a water taxi to your place, they get as close as possible to hotel as possible. we just added it to our cost of travel. we absolutely love it.
aloha

Thank you everyone. I think I will be taking the bus and the vaparetto to St. Marks Square, which is just a few minutes from my B&B. I also time will be saved by taking the bus and vap. routine. Now I just have to wait seven months. Grazie