Hello,
Looking for suggestions of places to stay while in Venice for a couple days prior to boarding our cruise. Nothing fancy but descent, 300-400/nt max, along a river would be great. no need for breakfasts...would be nice to be within walking distance of shopping/restaurants etc..
Have you searched the forum? There are hundreds of recommendations, a few of which are below:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/hotel-recommendation-in-venice-canal-facing
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/hotel-recommendations-in-venice-italy
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/canal-balcony-view-in-venice
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/help-choosing-hotel-in-venice
Cheaper lodging near the main train station.
We loved staying in the Dorsoduro district at Hotel Agli Alboretti. It’s a one minute walk from the Accademia vaporetto stop.
We love the Cannaregio area, no crowds, on the quiet back canals, but very charming with access to everything a traveler needs.
Hotel Ai Mori D'Oriente is our favorite. Book directly for the best price. Breakfast is an option, and has its own dock if you're using a water taxi.
We were just there May 2025, and will return!
Have a great trip!
hey hey smooners
you've received many different ideas for hotels above. what are your dates for venice and where does your cruise depart from? you will have to find transport to cruise port from venice and it helps us to know to where, (bus, train, taxi, shuttle) and what ship is your cruise? are you flying into venice and plans on how to get to your hotel? many bridges/steps/stairs, uneven walkways, cobblestones, pushing/pulling luggage, get instructions from hotels your are staying at.
depending on canal "river" you're hoping, since they can be noisey and very busy, many are like a "busy highway" with many boats of all kinds, stay on an outer canal.
do your research, book early and things will go smoothly. (europeforvisitors.com)
good luck and have a great time & enjoy.
aloha
Further updates:
We are arriving in Vince either via train or air from paris(not sure yet)
Our cruise leaves Saturday , royal carribean and the port is a bit away from Venice.
Suggestions on ground transport and hotel near station?
We loved Bed & Breakfast Corte Campana. We spent 3 nights before starting our Village Tour.
Ricardo and Grace (American) were awesome.
Location was ideal- walking distance to Duomo but tucked away from the main streets.
Simple breakfast but a briefing from Grace about the happenings in Venice for the day. Her recommendations on places to eat were spot on.
Highly recommend
Satoko Boris
Wherever you end up staying just make sure it’s on the island and not in Mestre. Venice can be magical, especially in early morning or later at night, and if you stay off island you won’t have that experience.
We stayed at Corte Compania years ago and really enjoyed it.
Hi, is your beginning location closer to Ravenna? Some cruises say Venice, but if the ship is actually beginning near Ravenna, you will need transportation or two trains to reach it from Venice, just in case, for your planning.
Our port for cruise is in fact, Ravenna. So two trains?
Hi, it’s two trains:
Venezia Santa Lucia to Ferrara.
Ferrara to Ravenna.
Some of the choices only have a 7 minute connection, but since you haven’t been there and probably have some bulky luggage, choose the 30-minute connection. So that’s three hours by train.
Ferrarra’s train station is much less complicated than Bologna’s in case you’re considering going through Bologna.
I don’t do cruises, but some on the forum have said your cruise company may offer a transportation option from Venice - a bus or similar?
I ride a lot of trains & enjoy it. But I would definitely take a flight from Paris to Venice instead of the train for that length of time.
Stay somewhere unique - a convent/monastery ! I stay at Istituto San Guiseppe, well located between Rialto and San Marco. Well below your budget. Easily booked at monasterystays.com
Ravenna is an hour from Venice. A transfer offered by the ship would be your best bet. We love Hotel Paganelli, on the water.
Ravenna is actually a 2 hour plus drive from Venice ( 143 km)
Train is pretty simple
Change in Ferrara is much easier than change in Bologna
Journey will take 2-3 hours depending on which solution you choose-thru Bologna or Ferrara and fast/regional or regional/regional
Station name
Venezia S Lucia ( if you are staying ON Venice)
If possible spend a day or so in Ravenna to see the fabulous mosaics
Hotel Olimpia. Close to Pizzale Roma and Train Station.
