Hi, I get very seasick and am worried about getting to hotel from train station. We are staying very close to San Marco piazza they use the term a stones throw. Having said that can we walk from train to San Marco or is a boat required?
Thanks so much,
Melissa
The ride on a boat to the hotel from the train station is relatively short - depending on your hotel's location. Also, there isn't much "ocean motion" in the Venice canals, so motion sickness - while possible - is not likely. If you don't get motion sickness riding a city bus while you're standing up, it seems unlikely (to me) that you'd get motion sickness on the boats in the canal.
I suggest, though, that if you're the least bit queasy, you try to stand in the very front of the boat and look out - rather than at friends with you... Eyes on the horizon helps soften motion sickness... Alternatively, stand at the back of the boat and admire the city rather than chat with friends.
I can't speak to the length of the walk from the train station to San Marco with luggag, but Venice is very walkable.
Maybe try the boat and if it's really too much, hop off at the next stop and walk the rest of the way.
I get very seasick each time I attempt to go fishing in the Pacific Ocean on a boat. I get sick just past the Golden Gate Bridge. On the other hand I’ve never had a problem inside the SF Bay or in the Mediterranean. The level of motion is simply not the same. Unless there is a major windy storm, the Venetian lagoon is basically a very calm lake. The only waves in the Grand Canal are caused by other boats, which are all smaller than a vaporetto. If you don’t get sick on a lake at home, you won’t get sick there.
Hi Melissa,
My husband is seriously impacted by motion sickness, he even got motion sick on the people mover at Disney World. We went to Venice last year and took a water taxi from the Airport to our hotel and traveled on the vaperetto to Murano and back and from the hotel to the train station and he was fine.
Depending upon where your hotel is, you may be able to walk. We had that option, but chose the vaperetto instead.
The walk from the train station to San Marco WITHOUT luggage is about a 30 minute walk (dodging lots of people on the main street). It will also include some 6-8 (or more) bridges to cross, most without ramps, so lots of steps up and down. There is no other way to get to the San Marco area besides walking or a vaporetto - or even water taxi (smaller boat) - on the Grand Canal. If you think his seasickness would be a serious problem, even given the advice that you've gotten here, then you may want to consider changing hotels to one nearer the train station.
You can walk. It could be tough with luggage (bridges with stairs etc) but everything connects. I’ve done it without luggage multiple times, it’s not long. But Venice is a bit confusing so wrong turns and taking longer is to be expected.
I get seasick easily. The vaporetto is usually ok for me. I’d say try it and get off to walk if it’s too much.
DO NOT take the Alilaguna water bus to the airport though. That was bad for me.
Why don't you tell us the name of the hotel and we will use Google Maps so you can trace the walk yourself. No one here can abduct you during the walk because you named the hotel. A stone's throw??? What if it's a hop, skip, and a jump, or just around the corner?
Hi, thank you for all the info! I do get sea sick just thinking about a boat ride. I’ve tried all the medications etc.
It’s an Airbnb located at La Corte Dei Baloni, I do like the suggestion of getting on and hopping off if I feel sick.
mdavimos,
On my first trip to Venice, I experienced seasickness from frequent rides on the vaporetti. The second trip, I limited my rides and had very little seasickness.
That being said, you can walk from the train station to San Marco area. Pack carefully as you will cross many small bridges - some with stair steps, which can get tiresome with heavy luggage.
Enjoy Venice! Sharon
I can’t speak to motion sickness but we did arrive in Venice on the day of a vaporetto strike with VERY few running. We walked with one piece of rolling luggage each (22 in for me and 25 in for my husband) all the way to San Marco. It was crowded and hot and I saw places I never saw again. :) It wasn’t my first choice but it was completely doable and I didn’t regret the experience! :)
I’ve tried all the medications etc.
Hi, so that means "Bonine" too? They have chewable tablets you can get Over The Counter. I believe they have a non-drowsy version. It's always a good idea to check with your Pharmacist and/or doctor. But, Pharmacists recommend Bonine for some vertigo issues or motion sickness. Unless yours is very severe.
Maybe you can persuade your traveling partner to take your luggage on the Vaporetto while you walk without luggage.
https://goo.gl/maps/5s9b4B6rauZNbhm88
You may have to press the little Pedestrian icon. It says 26 minutes, which does not account for crowds.
When we were in Venice, we tried using Google Maps on our phone to walk around and, maybe because of all the canals, it did not always work and we would go in circles. We had no problems using it in Rome or Florence! We had fun walking lost in Venice but, since you will have suitcases, I'd print out a walking map ahead of time in case you need to get off the vaporetta. Also, there are signs on buildings pointing to San Marco and other major sights which would help. The only rough ride we had on a vaporetto was our trip from Murano on a rainy day. My husband gets motion sickness and he had no problem in Venice. Have a great time! You will love Venice!
I always have Bonine in my bag on a daily basis, it works the best for me. I’m going to try a water taxi to San Marco from train station. I know it’s a more expensive option but since it’s private I feel better about it if I start to feel queasy.
I think a water taxi will be way worse for your motion sickness! Vaporettos are bigger and go slower, think of a small ferry, while water taxies are closer to a high speed boat.
I've always walked everywhere in Venice and its not that long, unless you have a huge bag!
Thanks MR, we are totally used to walking for miles in NYC I think it’s doable for us. We are packing one small roller and a backpack. I know it’s a different terrain but we live in S Florida so I know the heat adds a huge element.
I don't remember being motion sick in Venice, which looking back is kind of surprising since I've been motion sick my whole life (cars, planes, boats). Maybe I still had some residual Dramamine left in me when I arrived in Venice? But I don't recall taking more during my stay there and I used the vaparetto and went on a gondola. If you take something for motion sickness, you could take another dose when you land.
One thing that I don't think has been mentioned: If you walk there are a LOT of bridges. Venice is all canals so bridges are everywhere. That can make walking a little tiresome with a roller bag as they are built with steps, not a ramp.
If you take a water taxi from the train station to San Marco, you risk being tossed around by the wakes of other boats but it's definitely faster than the vaporetto. Another plus for the water taxi is you can stand up front and look straight ahead. That often helps avoid motion sickness.
