Venice shuttle from airport to hotel and to Burano

Are you already locked into your reservations on the Lido? I ask because we've been to Venice three times. The first two we stayed on the island itself and loved it. The third time we stayed on the Lido to save money and really regretted it.

I believe we are. Why did you regret it?
Lin

It's a bigger pain to get back and forth from the island of Lido than you anticipate. It's a very loud 30 minute boat ride each way. The charm of Venice comes from staying there and being able to wander around in the late evening without having to worry about catching a boat. Also, we like to go back to our room in the late afternoon for some downtime before going back out for dinner. That's a real hassle when you're staying so far away. We'll never do that again. Someone compared it like going to see Manhattan, but staying in Jersey.

Just to give two more opinions: 1. I work with someone who goes to Europe on guided tours. On one visit to Venice, she was put in a hotel in Mestre and hated the location. On another, she stayed on the Lido, and liked it a lot. She would definitely stay there again. 2. However, I visited the Lido on my last trip to Venice, and didn't like either the experience itself, or the thought of staying there instead of Venice proper. I was surprised at how different it felt from Venice (not a compliment), and how it totally lacked any Venetian ambiance (or any other special ambiance). I found it a bit grimy and depressing. Also, like Michael, I found it too long a vaporetto ride to do every time I would want to get to Venice; I don't think it's any more convenient than Mestre. Obviously, my co-worker felt differently.

I appreciate your thoughts on the Lido. Can anyone answer my questions about time from the airport to the Lido and also how long the vapporetto to Burano should take? Thanks!
Lin

It's about an hour to Burano, but there are different ways to get there, including one from the Lido. You should pick up a copy of the Rick Steves Italy book. It contains this kind of information. Happy travels.

I'm a little confused by the question. You ask about how long from the airport to Lido by "shuttle". And then say that your TA has arranged for you to be met at Marco Polo. By that you mean the airport, I assume. Now that sounds like a water taxi to me. Many people who stay on the main islands can journey over to/from the airport by Alilaguna for fast, reasonably cheap service. If you have a taxi it won't be cheap but because they can go in a straight line to Lido they may be fast. I haven't done that trip (wouldn't want to stay on Lido when I can stay so inexpensively and pleasantly at Rialto at the Pension Guarrato) but I would assume a fair bit under an hour. If it is some sort of multi stop arrangement, who knows? Where do you want to get to Burano from? It makes a big difference. Please don't just say Venice.

I believe the stop in Venice is Fondamente Nove.
Lin

The Alilaguna boat has runs from the airport to Lido. Both the Blu line and the Rossa lines stop there. See www.alilaguna.it. 14Euro for the fare. Nothing to do with San Marco. I don't think your TA is that experienced. Hopefully, he or she is not guiding you to a very expensive water taxi ride. (90E to 100E). Finally, the Alilaguna also has a Linea Verde boat tour that goes from Lido to Murano, Burano and Torcello. It's a 4-hr tour. Or, you can take the long vaporetto ride to the Piazzale Roma with a vaporetto change at the Tronchetto and then take the 1hr trip to Burano via Murano on the No 3 and No 12 vaporettos. Sorry for the long rides but you are on Lido and not the main islands.

Not sure where you got San Marco from, Larry. I never mentioned San Marco.

My error. I translated Marco Polo in your post to San Marco. Just reading to quickly.

The stop Fondamente Nuovo to Burano is on the "north" side of Venice proper - the ride from there to Burano takes about 40 minutes or so. Burano is reasonably close to Torcello (the first inhabited area of the lagoon) if you want to include that.

If there is still time to reconsider staying on the Lido I would-unless you really aren't going to Venice to experience Venice. I have been to Venice 3 times in the last couple years. Twice I have stayed at Pensione Guerrato and once at Al Ponte Mocenigo. My friend at work went 2 years ago and stayed on the Lido and said it took forever to get to the main island and she would never do that again. Her experience and my experience was so different. The wonder of Venice is wandering around in the little back streets during the day and at night (when the day trippers are gone). Also, I've taken the airport bus to the vaparetto and a water taxi. If money is no object and you are only going to the main island I highly recommend a water taxi for your first trip-my daughter was just thrilled. I think it was 100 E for the two of us. However, the bus/vaparetto combo worked too and was MUCH less money.