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Venice - few questions about getting from airport to lodging

Hi all,
My first trip to Italy is officially less than a month away and I'm super excited!

I'm flying into Venice from the US and had a few questions about planning my arrival:

  1. How long should I plan for to actually exit the airport (clearing customs/immigration) and arrive at my lodging? I'm staying at a BnB called Alla Vite Dorata (Cannaregio 4690 B – 30121 Rio Terà Barba Frutariol). My flight is supposed to arrive on a Monday at 9:35am.
  2. I was originally planning to take the bus to Piazzale Roma and then walk or take a vaporetto to the lodging. But, now I see that I can also take the Alilaguna water bus and get off at Fondamente Nove. Do you think this seems to be a more efficient way? I travel light, with only a backpack so luggage is not a big concern.
  3. If I do take the Alilaguna bus, I see I can purchase tickets online. Should I buy them before leaving or just wait to get there? Can I buy them in the airport or is there a separate office? I see if I buy them online, I have to exchange a voucher for a real ticket anyway before boarding.
  4. If I go via Alilaguna, I want the 15 euro one way ticket from Airport to Lido/Venice/Cruise terminal correct? I don't have to purchase a ticket for a particular line right? Just get a ticket then I can get on whichever line and get off at whichever stop I want?

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Posted by
33992 posts

it is true that the Alilaguna blue line to Fondamente Nove "A" would be straightforward and the walk down from the dock to the Rio Tera (the term means filled in river or canal) is direct and over just two bridges. It pains me to say that because I have a strong dislike for Alilaguna after just one trip with them, and after ignoring prior advice here. Once was enough for me. But F.te Nove "A" is a stop closest to the airport other than Murano so relatively quick.

The alternative is the bus as you say to P.le Roma, and then you would take a number 1 vaporetto to the Ca' D'Oro stop and walk inland. Probably a little longer because you will be walking past all sorts of businesses and shops, but with no bridges unlike the walk inland from the F.te Nove stop which has a church and a lot of residences but relatively fewer businesses (and fewer turns).

A couple of advantages of using the vaporetto - you will probably buy a period vaporetto pass for the number of days you will be there and if you start it on arrival you will have an included ride down part of the Grand Canal as your first boat ride and it won't cost any extra. And the ride - unforgettable. I remember my first (of very many) vaporetto ride to this day.

But it is really your choice. A closer, more expensive Alilaguna with poor visibility or a ride down a part of the Grand Canal after a bus ride.

As far as Alilaguna pricing I'll let others answer - I haven't kept up with them since my own experience. Based on the webpage you look correct. But I don't know why you would buy a voucher online that you have to exchange at the same ticket office in the airport where you would buy the same ticket for the same price. Just one more thing to lose I would have thought.

Sorry I can't be more help.

Posted by
11946 posts

Does the flight that lands in Venice originate in the US, or do you stop somewhere to get the plane that lands in Venice?

Does the landlord have a suggestion on how best to reach the location from the airport?