Walking from Campo sta. Margherita to Piazzale Roma in the early morning.

I did that this past April, not from Santa Margherita but from a point in Santa Croce. I had an early morning flight out of Marco Polo to London and I needed to catch that first bus. I actually walked the route to familiarize myself the day before and I also bought my ticket the day before in Piazzale Roma so I wouldn't have to do that early in the morning. My walk was about 10 to 15 minutes and I had my rolling bag with me. I am an older woman and my friends that I was travelling with were leaving by train later in the day, so they walked with me that early morning to the bus so I wouldn't have to walk the dark streets and alleyways alone. We did take a wrong turn or two in the dark but got there so that is why I suggest you scout your best route in advance. I did not have a phone with wifi with me so I could not follow Waze or Googlemaps live. We didn't see anyone else on the route till we got to the Piazzale and got in line waiting for the bus to arrive. Bus arrived and departed on time and was nearly full.

We did this exact walk several years ago with no difficulty whatsoever. But, be sure to get to the bus well before departure. It was very punctual. As we were pulling away, actually already on the road, some people who arrived late were running, hoping the bus would stop for them. It did not and most likely could not. Enjoy your trip!

...I suggest you scout your best route in advance.

Do that, give yourself plenty of time, and you should be fine.

Perhaps on your walk to scout the route, write down some landmarks at each turn to keep you from getting lost.
Or take photos at each turn?

I wouldn't count on a good phone connection for using Google Maps in Venice's little alleys. My coverage often dropped in that situation.

I did that this past April, not from Santa Margherita but from a point in Santa Croce. I had an early morning flight out of Marco Polo to London and I needed to catch that first bus. I actually walked the route to familiarize myself the day before and I also bought my ticket the day before in Piazzale Roma so I wouldn't have to do that early in the morning. My walk was about 10 to 15 minutes and I had my rolling bag with me. I am an older woman and my friends that I was travelling with were leaving by train later in the day, so they walked with me that early morning to the bus so I wouldn't have to walk the dark streets and alleyways alone. We did take a wrong turn or two in the dark but got there so that is why I suggest you scout your best route in advance. I did not have a phone with wifi with me so I could not follow Waze or Googlemaps live. We didn't see anyone else on the route till we got to the Piazzale and got in line waiting for the bus to arrive. Bus arrived and departed on time and was nearly full.

Thank you, Pat. I’m clinging to your every word. I’ve a terrible sense of direction. And I trip and slip, as well.

How many hours before departure should one arrive anyway?

It seems to be a small airport but with a lot of flights out in the early morning it could be crowded and somewhat disorganized. (Hopefully nothing like Kathmandu, even in the very late evening).

I’ll just add a recommendation that you consider carrying your bags rather than rolling them through the streets at that early hour. Out of consideration for those sleeping above you. And to prevent what happened to acquaintances of mine who were rolling their bags audibly over the stone streets at a very late hour: A frustrated local dumped a bucket of water out of their upper window onto them.

How many hours before departure should one arrive anyway?

Depends where the flight you board in Venice lands.

If at a Schengen destination e.g., Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, 2 hrs should be adequate as there is no passport processing to deal with. If the flight goes to UK, Turkey or similar, you do have to do the Schengen exit passport processing so more time is needed.

Can one buy a ticket on the bus or at Piazzale Roma in the early morning, at 4:10 am do does one have to buy it beforehand at a ticket window?

I do not know if the drivers can sell tickets right on the bus. I do know that my bus, which was the first of the early morning, was full or almost full. There is an ATVO ticket office on one side of the square in a large five story white building, next to a Tabacchi shop. The actual bus office was closed at that hour. Outside, in front of the office is a ticket machine so technically, yes, you should be able to buy it early that morning but there are a lot of what ifs associated with trying to do that. What if the machine doesn't work? What if at 5 AM you cannot figure out how to use the machine and at that early hour there is no one around to help you? What if the driver cannot sell you a ticket and you then miss your bus? Scope out your route to Piazzale Roma a day or two before and just buy your ticket directly from the helpful person at the ticket window.

When I have such an early flight, I usually stay at an airport hotel the night before. Much less stressful (and I get a little more sleep). I check out of my previous hotel, have them hold my luggage, go sightseeing and maybe dinner as late as I want, and then head out to the airport hotel in the evening.

. I do not know if the drivers can sell tickets right on the bus. I do know that my bus, which was the first of the early morning, was full or almost full. There is an ATVO ticket office on one side of the square in a large five story white building, next to a Tabacchi shop. The actual bus office was closed at that hour. Outside, in front of the office is a ticket machine so technically, yes, you should be able to buy it early that morning but there are a lot of what ifs associated with trying to do that. What if the machine doesn't work? What if at 5 AM you cannot figure out how to use the machine and at that early hour there is no one around to help you? What if the driver cannot sell you a ticket and you then miss your bus? Scope out your route to Piazzale Roma a day or two before and just buy your ticket directly from the helpful person at the ticket window.

Thanks Pat. That makes a lot of sense. I’ll try to buy one the day before I leave. Thank you for pointing out where the ATVO office is. I have been getting on the wrong vaporettos all week long, so that’s a harbinger….its actually atound 4 am I need to be there, while stumbling with my rolling carrying on over three bridges.

The app Che Bateo will help you get on the right vaporetto, but we also found it useful to have this interactive map. https://actv.avmspa.it/en/content/consult-map

I’ll just add a recommendation that you consider carrying your bags rather than rolling them through the streets at that early hour.

Very good advice.

I would carry if I could or on my back if it were a backpack. I can barely get it down the flight of old marble stairs in my building and out onto the street.

If you go rolling your bag down the street at that early hour it is inconsiderate.

it may be inconsiderate but what do you propose as an alternative? Magic Carpet? The Flue network? Hoverboard?

The flight was 6 hours ago so it is now a non-issue...