I would like to make hotel reservations for Venice in August. I am considering staying in the Maestre area due to the lower cost for a family of 6. However, according to Rick's book, Venice is most lovely in the early morning and evening hours. My question is, how early and or late does the train or bus run from the Maestre area into Venice. I am hoping that we could stay in Venice until late in the evening before returning to our hotel on the train or bus.
Posted by
Carbondale, IL, USA
1201 posts
Consider an apartment rentla in Venice instead of a hotel. Usually cheaper than several hotel rooms and gives you a place to spread out and even eat in if wanted. There are several agencies, just google "venice italy apartment rental" Here are a couple that we have used in the past.
Depending on the season many rentals have a three night minimum.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Do whatever you can do to stay on the island of Venice. Staying in Mestre just does not make a pleasant Venetian vacation. Of course, that's my opinion, and I have stayed both in Venice and in Mestre. Yes, the early morning and evening are the best times to actually be in Venice and wondering around the piazzas and hidden alleys. You'll be amazed at the difference in the city AFTER all the bazillions of day-trippers leave.
Consider the Hotel Messner. They are fairly inexpensive compared to other Venice hotels.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Janice, there are 50-60 trains a day going between Mestre and Santa Lucia. They begin at 5:00am in the morning and run to just short of midnight.
You might want to factor in the 36Euro a day into your hotel rate to account for the round trip fare for 6 people on the train.
Also, the Hotel Messner is a good idea. It's in Rick's book. We've stayed there and it was just fine. Very reasonable considering that it's Venice.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
I agree with everyone else. Do whatever you can to stay on the island proper. It makes all the difference. (And that was an excellent point about remembering to include the cost of travelling to Mestre in your calculations before you assume it will be much cheaper.)
Invariably, the people I've spoken to who didn't enjoy Venice are the ones who stayed on the mainland to save some money. Think of how much you will have spent to get there - does it really make sense to cut corners that will make it less likely that you'll enjoy yourself?
By the way, prepare yourself for hot and humid in August, regardless of whether you're on the island or mainland.
Posted by
OP
Newport, Minnesota, USA
113 posts
Thank you all for your advice. We're trying to be economical because the dollar is so weak. I thought the user reviews for the hotel we were considering near the train station said that the train ride was only 1 euro. Perhaps I misread it. In any event I am going to check out the hotel and apartment link that were suggested. Again, thank you for the great information. :)
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
I think the thrust of all of our recommendations to stay in Venice rather than Mestre is NOT due to the price of transportation. It is due to the fact that you will have a much nicer time wondering through the alleys and canals of Venice Island rather than through the city on the mainland. Are you traveling to Venice to see Mestre on the mainland...or are you traveling there to see Venice? If you want to see Venice then stay in Venice and don't waste your time in Mestre...and I do speak from experience since I made the stupid mistake of staying in Mestre on my first trip.
Posted by
OP
Newport, Minnesota, USA
113 posts
We weren't planning on spending time in Maestre other than to sleep, shower and eat breakfast. I also thought it would be convenient to the train and connection to the airport. We plan to spend our time in Venice roaming around as suggested.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Mestre is no more convenient to the train or the airport than Venice Island. Boats leave directly from the airport to the island. Buses shuttle directly from Piazzale Roma (Venice Island) to the airport. San Lucia train station delivers you straight to the Island.
Of course, you know your own family and travel needs better than anyone else.