I am very confused about the best/easiest mode of transportation for my wife and I, both 76, to take from VCE airport to our hotel in St. Mark’s Square. We will each have a rolling suitcase and a personal item, plus one CPAP machine. Our hotel says to: “board "ALILAGUNA - LINEA BLU" waterbus, and get off at "San Zaccaria" stop.” In reading the forums, it looks like doing that takes about an hour and a half, and there is no one to help with our luggage on/off the boat. Then some others say to just get a “water taxi”, instead of the “water bus”, but is that a “private” water taxi with a driver who can help us get our luggage on/off the boat? - and how would we arrange that – have our Venice hotel set that up? There seems to be a lot of varying info online, and it’s quite confusing as to what type of boat and where you go to get it. I am trying to make this journey as easy and effortless as possible for us, even if we have to spend a little more. Thank you for your advice!
Posted by
Green Bay
20402 posts
What is the name of your hotel? A private water taxi may be your best solution. The driver can hand you your luggage after you exit the boat. Water taxis are expensive, about 130 EUR for the trip, but the fastest way to get there.
I ask the name of your hotel because some hotels have their own water taxi dock.
Posted by
Portland, OR
1107 posts
Yes, I would highly recommend taking a water taxi. There are huge blue signs that lead you to where the taxis are located. Your hotel can usually assist in arranging one in advance for you, but you can also just go to where all of the water taxis are and ask for one. This is the best way to arrive in Venice in my opinion.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6623 posts
You hotel’s website will usually have specific directions for best way to arrive
This is the time to splurge a bit and take a private water taxi. It’s a really cool way to arrive in Venice and the crew will help you get luggage on and off
From there you’ll need to have specific directions on how to walk to your hotel
If your hotel has its own water dock that’s even better
https://www.motoscafivenezia.com/en/
Here is the official water taxi site-you can book yourself or at least check for actual rates
Your hotel may offer to do the booking for you do you can compare
As above -if you share the name of your hotel we can be more specific with directions
Posted by
OP
18 posts
Thank you so much for these replies. Our hotel is: Hotel Rio, 4358/A Campo SS Filippo e Giacomo, Castello.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6623 posts
Water taxi your easiest way but not the least expensive
Walking directions from San Zaccaria dock are here:
https://www.hotelriovenezia.com/eng/location.html
Looks like just one bridge to cross
Posted by
Glostrup, Denmark
1337 posts
Walking directions from San Zaccaria: https://europeforvisitors.com/venice/directions/rio.htm
General discussion on transport options: https://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/vi-transport.htm
Posted by
USA
423 posts
Hello,
Venice is easily walkable. I would follow the directions posted above and just walk. The water buses are easy to take albeit a bit crowded. You can just walk on with your suitcase. Just be advised the area where you get the transportation is quite busy and loud.
Enjoy, Venice is amazing!
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
and how would we arrange that
You would walk to the water taxi desk at the arrivals and pay for a water taxi, then you would follow the signs to the docks. The banner above the water taxi desk says "Motoscafi Venezia/ Speed boats" if I'm not wrong.
You can ask for a shared water-taxi, the choice depends on your budget. A water taxi driver does the same things a land taxi driver usually does. No need to tip either.
Just like a water bus driver.
Posted by
OP
18 posts
Thanks everyone for all the information, very helpful!!