Venice this August!!

Get the length of stay pass
Paying for an individual ride is so much more expensive
Nice to have the pass just for when it’s too hot, you’re too tired, etc
Won't you need vaporetto on your departure day as well?
The pass is a true 24 hour if you use first at 10 am it’s good thru 10 am next day

Be sure to validate pass each and every time!

I spent 6 fabulous days in Venice last August and found that it was great to have the transit pass. Venice is not especially big, but walking it from one nd to the other is far more longer than it looks as the crow flies, because you have so many twists and turns. Also Carnareggio is not actually that "central", it's more or less at one end of the area you will mostly want to spend time in....a great place to be, though.

As for St. Mark's I do not know what the status is right now. But I can tell you that last summer, tickets to visit only got you into the museum. The Basilica itself was not open to the public. BUT....the best way to get in and see it is to plan to attend morning mass. There is a separate entrance for mass goers and you will be allowed in 15 minutes or so before mass begins. You can't wander around much then, but you can sit and stare in awe at your surroundings. And when mass is over, you can quickly scoot around to see get some different perspectives before you will be shooed out of the building. Do not attempt to get up and take photos during mass....one gentlemen who did, was quietly, but firmly chastised by a church official and made to sit back down immediately. I did find that I could discretely angle my phone camera to get some nice pics of the ceiling and surroundings during mass, though.

St. Mark's is breathtaking...do find a way to see it!

Oh....another advantage for a longer pass: you will want to do the Gran Canal route at least twice....once in the daylight and once at twilight or in the evening. Quite different views and both fab.

Just to clarify--we will have to buy another ticket to get to train station to get to airport, even if we buy a three day pass. We are arriving probably about 12 pm on a Tuesday and flight to U.S. is Saturday at 11:20 a. A two day pass will get us to Thursday noon while a three day will get us to Friday noon.

The Basillica's website says they are open but no tours. But going to mass is a good idea.

With an 11 am flight out you’ll need to be on a vaporetto really early
Be sure to get your ticket for Saturday ahead of time

Haven’t checked but assume there’s still a 3 day and a 7 day, is that correct?

We are going to Venice the last week of August. My friend told me we should take a water taxi directly from Marco Polo airport to Venice. A great way to view the city from the water.
Question: is a water taxi another name for a vaporetto?

you may then want at least a 3 day pass. It takes you all over the lagoon, with no limits wherever tourists usually go. The difference between the two day and three day is just a little over one extra ride. Individual tickets are 75 minutes for €7.50. Two day pass is €30, three day is €40 so if you need two extra rides on the third day you will be paying extra.

I have always (many visits) had a pass for the full duration of my visit. Venice only has three bridges across the Grand Canal, well spaced. As the number 1 zigzags the Grand Canal I have often found a quick hop on for one stop is just as good as a bridge - better because it is all on the level.

Is this your first trip to Venice?

Are you intending to go to S Georgio across the basin from S Marco with its fabulous views?

On your expedition are you contemplating visiting the cemetery island or spending time in Murano (including the excellent glass museum), or visiting the church on Torcello? I mention those because they are some of my favourites, I visit some of them every time.

Remembering that you will be near Ca'd'Oro I'll say that Ca'd'Oro to Rialto Mercato is one of my regular shortcuts, much easier than fighting the crowds on the steps of the Rialto Bridge.

I wish I were going instead of you, BethFL. I'm jealous.

Judy B, you can think of a water taxi as being like a city taxi taking you where you ask to go, directly from point A to B. A vaporetto is run more like a city bus on a set route with set stops.

Those water taxis are very expensive--120 euros to a hotel in the center of the city.

This is my first trip to Venice, although not to Italy.

We added one day to Venice from what we had originally planned for May 2020 (are going to three not four places).

We are planning to go to S Georgio across the basin from S Marco. A friend of a friend who is from Milan told me we had to do that--much better than clock tower in S Marco.

On the islands. My original intent was to go straight to Burano on a day trip to try to beat the crowds. I like the pictures of the houses! We now have the time to do Murano too. Maybe we should. Can you do all the different island in one day (Torcello, Murano, Burano, cemetery island)? The island museums though are tricky. They are only open Thursday through Sunday and not very early.

I had not thought of using the vaporetto on short jaunts. Good idea!

On the airport: Our flight is at 11: 20 am. How long does it take to get there? I saw 20-30 by bus from near St. Lucia. I was thinking an hour and then maybe add another 30 minutes for 1.5 hours to get there. But I haven't ever done this. Also, are the water taxis by the boat or person? We will have 7 people so maybe worth it if it is 120 euros for all--if per person, well no.

And since I started this thread earlier today, it looks like we will not have to test before going with proof of vaccination ! One less thing to do.