Venice airport to downtown Venice

I had to chuckle at the reference to "downtown Venice." Would that be where the skyscrapers are? :-) If you mean the main island of Venice, the fastest and cheapest way is the bus. Alilaguna is more interesting because you're on a boat and you approach Venice by water (instead of driving across the causeway on the bus), but the bus is faster. Also, the Alilaguna boats are kind of far from the terminal, and you have to haul your bags there yourself. And the boats are noisy and kind of cramped. On the plus side, Alilaguna stops at several places on the main island, so it will probably get you closer to your lodging. Once in Venice, be sure to wander away from the crowds from time to time. You'll be glad you did. Happy travels.

Cheapest way is the ATV 5 euro bus to Piazzele Roma.

We will be flying to Venice on 8/16 and plan to take the Alilaguna from the airport. The cost is 15 euro pp.

Jeff When you arrive at the airport walk past the baggage claim, proceed to the door that lead outside the terminal. It's not very big so you won't get lost. There are 2 bus companies that travel to Venice both are about 3euro they will drop you off at the Piazza Roma. That is the main area to take the water taxi's. You can purchase a pass for then at the tourist office in the airport. Yes you better to buy one. You will be using them a good deal of the time.
Have a great trip.

The bus tickets are 5 euros and it only takes about 15 minutes to get to Piazzale Roma, the transportation hub of Venice. From there you can walk or take a vaporetto to your hotel.

In Venice, there's a difference between the water taxis and the vaporetto (more of a water bus). Kim of BC is talking about getting on a vaporetto. Water taxis are private taxis that cost an arm and a leg (or, as the Italians say, an ear and an eye).

Are you trying to get to a cruise?

Thanks for the replies. I am flying into Venice to stay for 3 nights. I think the cheapest/fastest way to get from the airport to my hotel(near the Rialto Mercado) is the blue/orange bus followed by the vaporetti.