Nervous about getting from Marco Polo airport to Padua

I thought the RS folks send out step-by-step directions to the hotel? Can you send the bus website link and the hotel name or link? I don't think there is any reason to be nervous. Maybe I can help translate the website.

It needs a lot of clicking before you get the relevant page:
www.fsbusitaliaveneto.it/index.php/offerta/orari-inverno-2016-2017/orari-extraurbani-padova-inverno-2016-2017
You find the schedule (as a pdf file) under »S015«. On the schedule the airport is known as »Tessera Aeroporto«.
If I remember correctly there is a ticket booth at the airport where they will help you.

The bus schedule looks straightforward to me. What stop in Padova do you need to disembark to get to your hotel? There are several listed on the bus schedule.

Here is the pdf for the S015 bus from the airport to Padua.
http://www.fsbusitaliaveneto.it/images/pdf/invernaliextraurbanipadova2016/S015_Z-S015_V.pdf

The last stop is "Padova Autostazione" which is next to the train station. You don't say where your hotel is, but past ones where on the south side of the city. There is a tram from the train station through the center of town to the southside. Stop in the Tourist Information office next door to the train station entrance to get tram tickets.

When you land, buy the bus ticket at the ticket window in the airport. Ask at the information desk if you don't see it and they can direct you. Bus stop is on a traffic island outside the airport main entrance, to the right if it has not changed. Luggage goes under the bus in the luggage bay. Stamp your bus ticket in the machine on the bus.

Joanne, I had two suggestions, but it looks like Sam took care of one of them. The other is to call or email the Rick Steves office. They usually have detailed instructions about how to get to your hotel.

I was glad to see Sam's careful explanation, because we're taking this trip next year. And I always am anxious about changing modes of transportation. Thank you, Sam! I'm going to bookmark this page.

I actually went to the tour center in person and was told to check out the fsbusitaliaveneto.it site,I did and was not finding what I needed to know. It seemed to have many stops with in Padua in the Veneto but I couldn't find one that said "Venice Airport -Padova" or anything like it, my son's eyes would be rolling if he were here. lol PS-I'm sure I'll figure it out

It says "Tessero Aeroporto". It is the last stop on the bus from Padova on pages 1 & 2, and the first stop on the bus to Padova on pages 3 & 4.

First, you will love your upcoming trip!

The buses are right outside the airport. There's several buses, but the people are helpful to direct you to the right one. If I remember correctly, the bus makes a quick stop at the train station in Venice, so you can ooh & aah for a few minutes before it heads onto Padova.

You may want to have a paper Goggle Map copy of your hotel location, so if you need to ask anyone about the tram, etc. you can show them a visual of where you're heading.

"If I remember correctly, the bus makes a quick stop at the train station in Venice, so you can ooh & aah for a few minutes before it heads onto Padova. "

Alas, it doesn't go to the one in Venice proper, across the causeway (Venezia Santa Lucia). It goes to the one on the mainland, Venezia Mestre. So, no ooh-ing or aah-ing.

I agree with the others - if you're the least bit lost or confused, ask for help sooner rather than later. Rick's book does have directions on getting from the Padova train station to hotels in town via tram.

If you're still nervous, you could always budget for a taxi from VCE to your hotel. I think this could be pricey, but may be worth it to you for peace of mind, particularly as Plan B if you have difficulty, feel overwhelmed, etc.

Actually it does cross the causeway, but of course, it stops at Piazzale Roma, not the train station. It makes a couple of stops in Marghera, then onto the Autostrada to Padova, where it makes a couple of stops in the burbs before ending at the bus station next to the train station.

Ah yes, Piazzale Roma. Oohing & aahing is still an option. : )

We flew into Venice and took the bus to Padova. Then we returned a few days later to Venice to see the Regatta. After a wonderful trip circling the Veneto & Dolomite region we ended with our last 3 days in Venice.

Thanks everyone I'm excited about my trip
and less nervous now ( :

Sorry for giving misinformation about which Venice train station the airport bus to Padova stops at. I was going from old information, and going from memory - two classic mistakes.

You may also consider just taking a taxi once you get to the bus drop off near the train station in Padova. If you are staying at the al Fagiano it is down a little side street and it seems like the tram stop was a couple of blocks away. I would have had trouble finding it in a jet-lagged status but that may not be the same for you!

Enjoy this tour! It is so much fun!

(PS Be sure to go in to your Tour Portal as there should be step-by-step instructions on some of that paperwork.)

Pam, good tip about the Tour Portal. I keep forgetting about that. We got the email 2 weeks ago about the password having been reset (routine), and I still haven't gotten around to checking it out. Every now and then we need nudged.