Can someone advise me? I have never been to Venice and will be traveling alone from Lake Garda to Venice to join Rick's tour. I'm planning to arrive by train and will be alone with 2 bags (1 medium, 1 small) to navigate to the hotel. Can anyone advise if there is someone on the boats to help passengers with luggage or should I walk from the train station to the hotel over the many bridges?
I haven't been on a boat in years so definitely don't have my sea legs.
There is no one to help with bags, though there's always a possibility a fellow passenger might offer.
There can be quite a large crowd of people waiting to board, too.
The vaporettos are easy to roll on and off
Most are level to dock
I don’t think you need to worry about “sea legs” either
What ChristineH said. For the vaporetti, the ramp from dock to boat is wide, level and not wobbly. You can just roll your bag right into the boat. It would be good if your second bag could be attached to the roller bag, as with a trolley sleeve. The mariner who supervises the boarding will not assist you. Although sometimes they will direct you to place your luggage in a certain area.
Make sure you know where you are going and get on the right vaporetto. Mat the train station there are numerous docks labeled with letters A to D ( I think), for the different vaporetto lines that stop there and the direction of travel. You must have a ticket before boarding, and validate it at the machine. WTch the other passengers to see how and where to do this.
Think of vaporettos as buses.
Getting on and off the vaporetto won’t be a big problem, just be prepared for crowds, and purchase your ticket before you get in line for the boat. The larger stops, such as the one at the train station, will have a booth where you can buy your ticket, and I would ask there which line you need to bi in get on the right boat as it can be a bit confusing at first to figure out which direction you need to go. This is public transit so there is no one to help with bags, on board you will see a map of the stops, and it’s a good idea to keep watch of which stop you are at, and make your way towards the exit in advance of getting to your stop as if it’s a smaller stop the boat may not wait long as there may only be one or two people who want on or off. If you are joining a RS tour then I’m guessing the hotel will be a good hike from the train station, and probably a bit off the beaten path, and closer to one of the smaller vaporetto stops, so I would not recommend trying to walk there with two bags. I did the Venice/Florence/Rome tour a few years ago, and it was about a five minute walk from the vaporetto to the hotel.
If you can find your hotel on https://europeforvisitors.com/venice/directions/index-alphabetical.htm, it will give you instructions on how to get there.
Perhaps split your luggage and leave the big bag in https://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/venice-left-luggage.htm and only take the small bag to your hotel.
Also see: https://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/porters.htm as a last resort.
The vaporettos can be quite crowded and you might have difficulties if your bag is large.
My wife and I stored our bags ( hers was a big one, almost 50 pounds #$%@! ) at a place just outside the train station. Then we took the vaporetto to Rialto and found our way to our monastery/convent which was halfway to St. Marks. It was a little adventure getting there. Thankfully the wife speaks Italian. After getting checked in we went back for the bags.
If you can handle the two bags without difficulty, then the vapiretto shouldn’t be a problem.
Don’t worry about your ‘sea legs’.
I agree with SoCalTravler: "This might be a time to splurge for a water taxi."
We took one last September from the airport. It was arranged by our Airbnb host, who also met us at a vaporetto stop near the flat. After the long flight, it was a wonderful way to finally arrive in Venice. The "captain" handled our luggage on and off a lovely roomy boat. It was a bit pricey- 120e, I think, but well worth it. I highly recommend!
Individual vaporetto tickets now cost 9.50 euros. (This is the real "tourist tax" in Venice.) A 24-, 48- or 72-hour ticket might be a better buy, but it depends on how many vaporetto trips you'll be taking on your own time. (I'm assuming you don't get a pass as part of the tour, but perhaps you do?) The passes I've listed are 25, 35 and 45 euros, respectively, so that purchase definitely calls for some back-of-the-envelope calculations to be sure it makes sense for you. (Going to Murano + Burano in a single day will require 3 tickets.) There are some small vaporetto stops where tickets and passes are not sold; you don't want to end up at one of those, wanting to board a vaporetto with no ticket or pass in hand.
We were in Venice for the first time last month. We arrived by train from Florence, walked outside, (down many stairs, but if you go right as you walk out the front door, there is a ramp instead of stairs) and went straight ahead to the vaporetto ticket windows. We had purchased 3 day unlimited passes from Venezia unica (30 days in advance, so saved 5euro) and printed out the vouchers. To the left of the ticket windows there's a machine, we typed in the voucher code number (scanner wasn't working) and spit out our tickets, extremely easy. BTW you can't get them at the window, they directed me to the machine.
We found the right dock and got on the vaporetto for one stop. It was much easier than I expected. We were there about 2pm on a Wednesday in mid March, the boat was crowded but not crazy. We each had one wheeled carry on size suitcase, plus backpack and one extra duffle, that was balanced on the handle of one of the wheeled suitcases. As someone else mentioned, the boat is level with the dock (both floating) so you can wheel it on. Even though the attendant handling lines and gate on the boat isn't there to assist you, they might offer a hand if you're looking unsteady.
We used the vaporetti many times in our 3 days, sometimes standing, sometimes sitting, I watched the attendants, they all seemed nice, no nonsense, but more than once I saw them assist especially elderly with wheeled carts etc. Our overall experience was much less stressful than I anticipated.
Thank you so much everyone! I will take all this into account. Luckily, I do have a sleeve for my smaller bag to snugly fit on top my larger suitcase. I like all the options and info all of you had and will definitely feel much more confident upon arriving. Looking forward to the tour in September. Hope the crowds will have lessened by then.
Hi Jenny,
If you can tell us which hotel you will be staying at during the tour, we can give you specific answers - vaporetto stop, etc.
I’ve been to Venice five times and always just use the vaporetto if coming from the train station. I’ve never purchased a day or multi-day pass - just an individual ticket or two tickets. Since you will be on the RS tour, you probably only need the ticket to get to your hotel.
The vaporetto boats are a little rocky when you’re getting on, but as soon as it pulls away from the stop, it’s fine. There’s the open, outdoor area. Go through a door, and you can sit inside with seating. Be sure to move into the open area before you reach your vaporetto stop. (It’s good to know the name of the stop one before yours.). Say “permesso” to have someone let you move through to an opening.
Have a great time! It’s a wonderful unique city!
Jenny, I've read your topic several times and keep coming back to the same question: How large is your "medium" bag? Is it carry-on size (21")? Although the RS tours don't really require that size, it's helpful. You will need to carry your bags up stairs and down over canal bridges, from bus to/from hotel to bus, up and down hotel stairs, over cobblestones. Read about packing light and watch RS videos and You Tube hints. Aside from the tour, if you're taking trains, you will need to manage getting on and off with your luggage.
Just lift your bags down the one step on to the vaporetto (after scanning your ticket) and find a place to stand or sit. Since there is another step down to the seating area that's usually crowded, I find if it's crowded just stand with you bags beside you. it's easier to maneuver to get off at your stop. Just like a bus or train you want to be at the exit ready to step (up) and off. Don't expect anyone to help you. Last year, I took the Alilaguna from San Marco to the airport. A nice young man from Argentina took pity on my overpacking and help me carry my luggage on and off the bus. I vowed never to buy so many heavy souvenirs again and to pack lighter to start with.
As others said, don't think of the vaporetto as a boat, but as a bus. If you get a chance, take it through the Grand Canal at night. Venice has a whole different look then, enchanting with the lights reflecting on the canal. I love Venice, have visited twice and hope to visit again next year.
Buon Viaggio!
On vaporettos, you will find mothers with children in prams, older women with shopping trolleys, tradesmen with tool trolleys and maybe a welder, a guy with a hand trolley loaded with several dozen bottles of Johnie Walker.
You will be fine with your relatively modest amount of luggage, and the vap deck hand will assist you if needed.
Walking from Ferrovia to San Marco with luggage is tough, really tough.
From looking at the map on the hotel website, it looks like the hotel is 'in the middle' and would need to take a water taxi to the rio di san luca, then to rio menuo and then walk. I'm thinking it might be best to get the taxi (and the help!). I'm incredibly excited and thank all of you for the advice. When my daughter arrives, I think I can meet her at the valporetto docks by the airport and the two of us can muscle her luggage to the hotel. What an adventure!
There are no vaporetto docks at the airport
If you share the name of your hotel we could help you get there
Have you checked the hotel website for arrival directions?
Most hotels in Venice include that
I have arrived at Marco Polo about ten times.
Get a bus to Piazzle Roma.
Buy a vaporetto ticket.
Take the vaporetto to the closest stop to your hotel.
Then walk.
What is the name of your hotel? Because otherwise we are all guessing.
Vaporettos do NOT service Marco Polo. Alilaguna ferries service Marco Polo. Alilaguna and vaporettos are two different things.
Jenny, here’s a website that may help you with vaporetto routes (pdf map)
https://actv.avmspa.it/en/content/consult-map
This site explains the different vaporetto routes http://www.venice-guide.info/Water_Bus_Lines_Venice.php
I wouldn’t buy tickets from it. Since I have always taken the train to Venice, I buy a vaporetto pass at S. Lucia station. The kiosk is on the east side towards the bathrooms, inside the station. I’m sure you can buy a pass elsewhere; someone else can chime in as to where.
This sites talks about ticket and pass costs https://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/venice-vaporetto-fares.htm
Again, buy in Venice instead of from a website.
Water taxis are very expensive, $100-ish, but it is one option from the airport to your hotel. Depending where your hotel is, you may have to walk from the taxi stop to your hotel.
OP has said she will be arriving at the train station
There is a vaporetto kiosk right outside at the docks.
Here is the official water taxi site
https://www.motoscafivenezia.com/en/
You can get a quote
You would be taking from the train station
Venezia Santa Lucia to whatever dock is close to your hotel
If your hotel does not have a water door or dock you will have to walk a bit
They will get you as close as possible
I’m concerned when I read “muscle her luggage”
I hope you are both packing light and can each handle your own luggage.
Riding the vaporetto is NOT difficult.
Again if you share the name of your hotel we can give you specific directions on how to get there
Sounds like the hotel is near La Fenice Opera House.
Is this hotel the same hotel that RS tour will stay?
Yes, will be staying with the RS tour at Hotel La Fenice et Des Artistes! I will be coming from Paris RS tour via a stop in Lake Garda to relax and do some laundry for a few days before jumping on to the next tour with my daughter. I will be packing as lightly as possible and my bag is big (to me) but in the medium range (not the steamer truck large size). All of your comments are soooo helpful!
Thank you l.p.enersen for the porters link! Depending on how things go in Paris and Lake Garda, I may need to pull the big time helper card!
Is there a way to communicate with others on my RS Italy tour to see if anyone is flying to Venice around the same as my daughter? Perhaps we could share the cost of a water taxi? Win/win?
Your hotel website has arrival directions- very specific and very clear. 5 min walk from S Angelo vaporetto stop, looks like just 1 bridge to cross
https://www.fenicehotels.com/en/where-we-are/
You can book shared water taxis at the airport desk if daughter can’t meet up with other tour members
Or she can take bus/vaporetto
This question is for Horsewoofie, who replied above about not buying tickets from websites but only in Venice. I'm curious why you think that is best? We bought ours 30 days in advance and saved 5euro, I know it's not much but getting the card in Venice was extremely easy. I believe the Venezia Unica card is associated with the Venice transit authority, and links are provide from the ACTV website. Am I missing something? I know that you can also buy museum pass/bundles from Venezia Unica, but we chose not to because we didn't think there was enough of a savings given that we weren't sure what we would want to do in Venice. For us the 3 day (72 hour) pass was fantastic, because although we walked most places, when we got tired, or needed to get somewhere specific we could jump on the vaporetto. We used the vaporetti many times, sometime just to cross the grand canal quickly. But, if there's a good reason why we would have been better off not buying ahead of time, I would like to know, so that I'll be careful not to suggest our method to others.
Thank you.
