We are staying near Taverna San Lio, I was told it is near the Rialto Bridge, and we need to get to the San Lucia train station at 6am. What is the best way to get there. I have looked at different water taxis but I can't seem to see one that leaves that early. Thank you. We are trying to actually get to Venice Mestre and figured getting there from San Lucia would be easier. Thanks!
Posted by
Freedonia
16567 posts
If you are staying at a hotel, they can order a water taxi for you.
If not, and don't mind walking for about 5 minutes, you can get the #1 Vaporetto near Rialto and it goes to the rail station. The first one is at 4:55 AM and then every 20 minutes. It will take about 20 minutes.
You can buy tickets directly on board.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
A water taxi is just like a land taxi, in that they will go where you want, when you want them to. They don't have a schedule or a fixed route. The only problem is paying for them; they cost a fortune.
So, what you were probably looking at a vaporetto, or "water bus," rather than a water taxi. These do indeed have fixed routes and schedules.
Line 1 will be running from Rialto to Venezia Santa Lucia when you need it. The Santa Lucia stop is called "Ferrovia." It takes 20 minutes to get from Rialto to Ferrovia, so you could take a 4:55 or a 5:15 departure (the 5:35 is cutting it close; with a train to catch, I wouldn't take a chance).
Here's the schedule as a PDF: http://actv.avmspa.it/sites/default/files/Orario%20linea%201%20dal%201%20aprile%202017.pdf
EDIT: cross-posting with Frank II.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17580 posts
"You can buy tickets directly on board."
Be VERY careful if you do that. Technically you are not supposed to be on the boarding dock without a validated ticket or pass, especially at a stop like Rialto where there is a ticket machine. My best advice is to buy the vaporetto ticket ahead of time and remember to validate it as you pass the machine on the boarding dock. For the boat from Rialto to Ferrovia, you use boarding dock "A", according to the schedule.
If you must board without a ticket, as at a stop where there is no ticket machine ( San'Angelo, etc.), do this: as you reach the gate onto the boat, look the seaman in the eye and tell him you need to buy a ticket. You can say it in English, or use the Italian "senza biglietti". Do this before you step aboard and make sure he acknowledges you. He will probably direct you to stand nearby until boarding is complete, and he has shut the gate. Then he will sell you a ticket.
I have seen too many reports by people who got fined for boarding without a ticket, intending to approach the marinario to buy one after boarding is complete.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Lola's right. If you know you are taking the vaporetto, buy a ticket beforehand. If for some reason you haven't done that, definitely tell the conductor immediately upon boarding that you need a ticket. If you wait until they come to you, you will most likely be fined.
Remember that the Venice vaporetto passes are good for a certain number of hours, not calendar days. So, it's likely that at 6 AM your pass from the rest of your trip will still be good. In other words, if you bought a 72 hour pass at 10 AM on day 1, it's still good at 6 AM on day 4. At €7.50 per single vaporetto ride, a pass pays off fast.