Venice - staying on the mainland versus the island?

With such an early flight, my advice is to build into your budget--cut somewhere else--the costly private boat run (water taxi) to the airport from the dock closest to your hotel in the old city. Venice is one of the most magical places on earth, especially after dark when the cruise ships and day trippers have embarked. Going to Venice and staying in Maestre for the sake of convenience would be like going to the World Series or Super Bowl or World Cup Final but spending the contest on the concourse, not in your seat, so that you could exit quickly and beat the traffic. It defeats the purpose of going in the first place. (:

I agree, stay in Venice, you won't be sorry.

You definitely want to stay on Venice...however...one thing to think about is that if your flight out on Saturday is at 7, don't forget that you'll need to get there a couple hours before (assuming it's an international flight) and you should be very sure ahead of time that you won't have a problem getting transportation to the airport that early.

Hey, Andrea. Dug out my itinerary from a Venice trip two years ago, when we had a similar flight. My notes indicate we rose at 4:15 AM at Locanda al Leon, right near San Marco (having checked out the night before), and met our private water taxi at the nearby San Todaro pier at 5:00 AM. The cost was 110 Euros, cash. The email for the company was [email protected]. Again, it's not cheap, but my wife and I will always remember that quiet, early morning (still dark) ride in Venice...a beautiful, almost surreal departure. To us, this expense was worth staying in the old city despite the early flight. They will pick you up anytime you wish (pre-arrange).

You could stay in Venice 2 days then change to a hotel on the mainland late friday to be closer to the airport. (I assume there are hotels near the airport.)

But then sitting on St Marks square for a last glass of wine. Listening to the dualing orchestras; was a nice goodbye.

We splurged and took the water taxi. Which set us back about 100 or 120 Euros. (As I recall, it's about a 10 or 15 min walk from the airport dock to the terminal.)

I'm glad we stayed in Venice for the 3 nights. Our hotel was about 3 blocks behind San Marco. But our flight was a more humane 9:00.

Many, if not most, of the hotel websites in Venice have instructions on getting to/finding the hotel and on getting to the airport. (Venice is confusing. Study and copy the instructions.) If they don't have these instructions. Ask the hotel in an email.

One of the advantages of a hotel with it's own dock. They can call a water taxi to pick you up. Rather than having to meet it elsewhere.

I don't think the water bus runs early enough for a 7:00 departure. And would easily add a lot more time to the trip if it did.

BTW we opted for the singing gondola tour. (I understand the bookings fill up fast.) It was kind of hokey. But was one of the high points of our trip. We were on the gondola with the accordion player and singer. I think my wife and I are in a whole lot of peoples vacation pictures. 5 gondolas going down the grand canal. Us in the middle with the accodrionist and singer.

Have fun. Venice is one of my favorite places.

While the water taxi is way cool and will make you fell like James Bond, many people balk at the idea of spending the money.

It is possible to get to the airport early by using other cheaper means of transport.

Alilaguna Linea Blu leaves San Marco at 03:40 and arrive at the aiport at 05:00 for 13 euro per person.

The blue ATVO bus leaves Piazzale Roma at 05:00 and gets to the airport at 05:20 for 3 euro.

You could also arrange for a land taxi from P le Roma as well, although I don't know the cost.

Frankly there isn't much going on at Marco Polo before 05:30 and it is a small airport.

Bottom line is that you should stay in Venice proper and you'll still be able to get to the airport in time for your flight by several methods.

Also remember that if you do decide to stay on the island 2 nights and then the last night on the mainland, your last night might be a lot cheaper.

Don't stay on the mainland 3 nights. Staying on the island was hugely nicer. Possibly too nice to miss even for even that one last, abbreiavted night => but that's up to you.

Thanks so much for the advise and information! Sounds like staying in Venice is a no-brainer :)