We are spending 3 nights in Venice and then going to Slovenia, where we will pick up a rental car at LJU, ultimately dropping the car off in Croatia. While in Venice, we will be staying in the San Marco district right on the Grand Canal. Transportation into and out of Venice seems expensive and complicated. We are splurging on a water taxi from the airport upon arrival. When we depart, we could go back to the airport via water taxi to pick up transport to LJU, or we could choose a pickup point closer to San Marco and take either a bus, GoOpti, or a private car. Convenience is more important to us than cost. What is the easiest option and how much harder is the less expensive route, considering we will each have a large bag plus a carryon to tote around until reaching our transport point?
Posted by
Green Bay
20179 posts
Take a vaporetto to Piazzale Roma. Can Go Opti pick You up there? Where is your hotel in San Marco?
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Address in San Marco is Sestiere di San Marco, 3944, Venice, Veneto 30124, Italy. It’s a privately owned apartment. Yes, Go opti can pick up at Piazzelle Roma.
Posted by
Green Bay
20179 posts
You are on Calle del Traghetto Vechio, just off the Grand Canal. You could walk around to the Sant'Angelo vaporetto dock, or get a water taxi right by your door. Motoscafi Venezia quote 70 EUR to Piazzale Roma.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you! If it were you, would you just rent a car in Venice instead? Or get separate transport and pick up the car in Slovenia? By the time we pay for a water taxi and transportation from Venice to Slovenia, the cost difference isn’t huge and having the car for the drive to Slovenia would give us more flexibility to make stops along the way.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8400 posts
Mary, the challenge with driving is one of you will be focused on driving, the other will be focused on navigating and you probably won't enjoy the scenery as much as in a shuttle. The opposite point is that you will have flexibility and no need to share a vehicle with strangers.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Yes, that’s definitely true but we do generally prefer to drive ourselves so we can stop whenever and wherever we want. Originally I was having a problem finding a car we could rent in Venice and drop in Croatia, but now I have found some options and wondering if that would be better/easier.
Posted by
Green Bay
20179 posts
Renting a car in Italy and driving to Slovenia may be problematic. There will be a significant international drop fee unless you return it to Italy. If, as you say, you are continuing to Croatia and drop it there, likely even bigger fee. Second, the rental agency may say you are not allowed to drive it in Slovenia or Croatia. Violating this will void your insurance. Make sure you have international drivers Permit to go with your drivers license.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thanks for the warning about this. Fortunately the insurance company does allow the car to be taken to Slovenia and Croatia. There is a big drop fee, but we really don't have any alternative to avoid this as we have to drive from Slovenia to Croatia anyway. We've always gotten IDP's and have never been asked to show them in Europe or Australia, but there's always a first time so we will do it again.