From Marco Polo airport to our hotel

Posted by lawsonj8 on 04/14/18 02:37 PM

Hi everyone!

My wife and I are headed to Italy in 8 days and we are trying to figure out our transportation from Marco Polo airport (eta 1045am) to our hotel on the east side of Venice (Locanda La Corte). We should each be carrying one suitcase and maybe a backpack with us. Our plan was to use a cheaper method of transportation such as a bus that drops us off in Piazzale Roma. Anyone have an idea of what is the best bus to take? I know some stop in Mestre and you have to switch buses, but this seems a little confusing. Then, from Piazzale Roma we are unsure of which method of transportation to take to reach our hotel. Water taxis seem convenient but they are way to expensive. What is the best budget friendly/comfortable method of transportation that will get us close enough to our hotel? Our hotel, Locanda La Corte, is near Campo San Giovanni e Paolo. We were also thinking of getting the youth Rolling Venice 3 day travel pass (we are there for 2 days). Would that be worth it? Thanks for any and all help! We can’t wait!

Posted by TC

Atlanta

04/14/18 02:45 PM

5142 posts

There are 3 ways to get from the airport to your hotel. The 1st is a water taxi and it is the most expensive. Probably 125 Euros for the boat. But I understand there is now a shared water taxi set up that makes it less expensive. I've not used it but perhaps someone who has can give you some details. Or maybe you can just google it.

The 2nd method is the Alilaguna boat. It will cost about 20 Euros per person. It takes longer, you do have to "check" you baggage so you don't have control of it the entire time, and you probably will not be able to get a "non stop" line to the area of your hotel.

The 3rd and least expensive is a combination bus and vaporetto (vap.). It takes a bit longer, but that is what we do because we travel very light with just one carry on apiece. There are two bus lines that serve the airport. One is ATVO and is NOT affiliated with the vap. system. The other is ACTV and IS affiliated with the vap. system. At the airport you can get a vap. pass for various periods from 24 to 72 (or more?) hours. You can have a one way or two way bus fare added to the vap. pass. There is a good site maintained by the ACTV system that has current prices and etc.. Don't remember the url so just Google it.

If you decide on option # 3, take the # 5 ACTC bus from the airport to Piazzale Roma. Be sure and validate the vap. pass on the bus. Do not wait until you get on the vap. Also, validate the pass each time you use the vap. Then take to the vap. to the stop closest to your hotel. The # 1 vap. is the slow boat as it stops at every stop and the # 2 is faster as it only stops at selected stops. Either one will take you to the vicinity of your hotel. We've done option # 3 many times. Easy Peasy and cheap to boot.

There is a site called veniceforvisitors.com that has a lot of good info. that you might want to check out.

Posted by Lola

Seattle, WA

04/14/18 02:54 PM

17228 posts

The hotel recommends taking the Alilaguna Blue Line from the airport to Fondamente Nove, and walking from there. They have a good map of the walking route on their website.

http://www.locandalacorte.it/pdf/map_EN.pdf

I do not often recommend the Alilaguna over the bus plus vaporetto option, but in your case I will. It is simpler, with no transfers, and probably faster than the bus to Piazzale Roma and vaporetto from there.

Posted by Nigel

Northamptonshire, England

04/14/18 05:06 PM

33457 posts

Or the Fondamente Nove is served by the 4.2 and the 5.2 vaporetto from P. Roma. It is the jumping off point for the cemetery and Murano.

San Giovanni e Paolo is known by most Venetians (in the local dialect and between Italians) as San Zanipolo. Don't be confused.

It is also very close to the hospital so you may experience the sirens and blue lights of the ambulance boats.

All the information is on the hotel website location page at:-- http://www.locandalacorte.it/location.htm

Perhaps the Alilaguna will be a bit quicker - haven't worked it out - especially if you just miss a vaporetto because they are not quite as frequent as the number 1, but if you will have a vaporetto pass anyway the only marginal cost is the cost of the bus - cheap.

The bus to the 4.2 or 5.2 is only one transfer. You will get a tiny bit of the Grand Canal, turn left and pass the ghetto on your right go under a triple arched bridge and get out into the high speed open lagoon all in that short vaporetto ride. I guess that (very unusually) Lola and I will disagree a little. Personally, I can't stand the Alilaguna.

Taking a few minutes in P. Roma to orient yourself and get your vaporetto pass organized (top hint number 1 is to have a vaporetto pass for the duration of your stay, especially in your case as you are somewhat remote - even if you walk to Rialto or San Marco you may want to rest the toesies and see the wet city) (I know of the Rolling Venice and I understand it is a good idea but I am too old to have personal experience with it) while you wait for the next one to Fondamente Nove is a pretty good use of the time - and fun.