ptb

Hi there - So I'm really confused. I've been reading the message boards and know there are lots of posts about transportation between the airport and city center, but am still lost.

I'm taking my mother and sister on a quick trip to Venice (2 days) from Germany. We are staying at the Westin Europa and Regina. Is the best / least expensive way to get to the hotel from the airport the Alilaguna. Or should we take the ATVO bus and then a vaporetto.

Should we get a vaporetto multi-day pass? Will we need it to see the common sights of Venice?

Thanks!

thursdaysd

It will be cheaper, and require less walking with luggage, to take the bus and vaporetto. Whether you need a multi-day pass depends on how much walking you want to do.

J62

From the Westin Europa website:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin...?propertyID=75


From Marco Polo International Airport

* By public transport: The boat company "Alilaguna" runs a regular service from the airport boat pier (700m away) to St. Marks Square. Travel time is approx. 90 minutes. Tickets may be purchased (cash only) from the Alilaguna desk in the airport arrivals hall.

J62

I believe what thursdaysd is referring to is that the vaporetto stop will be closer to the hotel than the Alilunga stop.

You do have the option to take Alilunga then transfer to vaporetto, or walk the 700m w/ luggage. This can be a pain going up and down stairs on all the bridges.

thursdaysd

The 700m is what you would have to walk to reach the Alilaguna stop at the airport, I'm not sure which stop it uses at St. Marks.

ira

Hi PT,

Have you considered asking the hotel?

ellenem

You take the bus and then the vaporetto to the Vallaresso stop, from which you have a short walk as described below. You have two options for bus, both of which leave from directly outside the airport terminal:

1) A city bus (about 1 euro, orange bus, no luggage storage, makes local stops along the way) about 30 minutes to Piazzale Roma where you would connect to a vaporetto (about 6 euros) about 30 minutes to Vallaresso. If you bought a basic 72-hour vaporetto pass at the airport, all parts of this option and all other transport for the rest of your short visit would be included in your pass, even your return trip to the airport, if it's within 72 hours of the time your first use the pass.

2) An express bus bus (about 3 euros, blue bus, luggage storage below, goes directly to Piazzale Roma) about 20 minutes to Piazzale Roma where you would connect to a vaporetto (about 6 euros), about 30 minutes to Vallaresso. The express bus is not on a pass but the vaporeto is.

From the Westin website:
By public transport: waterbuses (vaporettos), n°1/n°82 are available regularly from the waterfront at Piazzale Roma to vaporetto stop San Marco Vallaresso. The Westin Europa & Regina is a 5 minute walk from the vaporetto stop. Directions: follow Calle Vallaresso to Calle XXII Marzo, turn left on Calle XXII Marzo and continue straight on. Turn immediately left after the first bridge, pass under the archway, turn right and follow the narrow streets leading to the hotel. Cash payment only.

***
For the Alilaguna, you must leave the terminal and get to the boat docks, a 7-10 minute walk or you can pay a taxi to drive you to the docks. Then you have the Alilaguna ride, to San Marco Giardinetti, the closest stop to your hotel. Cost is 12 euros for a 1 hr 15 min ride or 25 euros for a quicker 1 hr ride. The walk from there to your hotel is about the same. the Alilaguna is not included in a regular pass. There are Venice Card options that include the Alilaguna, but I've never consedered them costt effective.

The "common sights" are all quite close to your hotel location, requiring no use of the boats whatsoever.

anna_roz

Please do not take the Alilaguna and it is not because of the walk from the terminal. The walk is actually very nice, considering that you would spend a few hours sitting on the plane so why not stroll while the luggage rolls behind you? It took us less than 5 minutes, but then we are walkers.

The reason for my advice against the Alilaguna is because it is sooooo very slow, taking about 70 minutes to get to St. Marks, and you will be sitting inside the boat and that is kind of anticlimactic to greet such an amazing city. It costs 12 Euro per person but it is a torment, IMHO.

So, since you are looking for an inexpensive way into Venice, take the bus to the Santa Lucia train station, buy your multi-day vaporetto passes (60 Euro/3 days), and hop on Nos. 1 or 82.

If I were you, assuming I did not want to part with 100 Euro on a water taxi, I would take the land taxi to Santa Lucia (about 20 Euro) and then proceed to the vaporetto as above.

Anna Roz

ellenem

A 72-hour vaporetto pass is 30 euros.

anna_roz

And you are absolutely right ellenem, my bad! I was thinking in terms of what we paid for the two of us.

Anna

Holly_uncasdewar

I don't think an hour or so on the Alilaguna is bad at all. I find it pretty exciting, especially as you're approaching San Marco. Different strokes, and all that ...

ptb

Thank you so much everyone! I called the hotel before I posted but I was still confused. Your posts were so much more helpful. Thanks again!

SusanP

ellenem gives a good list of options. However, I just want to point out that the orange ACTV bus DOES have room for luggage. Part of the bus has no seats, and there is plenty of room for luggage.

And of course, if you use that option, buy your vaporetto pass at the airport, not at the train station, because as noted, the orange bus is covered by the pass.

SusanC

I'm headed to Venice on Friday for New Years. Trying to decide whether it makes sense to buy the vaporetto pass (30 Euros for 3 days seems really expensive!). Obviously I will take it to/from the airport and I'm sure I will take some other rides. However my understanding is that Venice is pretty small and easily walked and that in fact, walking is quicker! I live in New York and generally walk several miles a day so if walking is more efficient would prefer that. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.

Holly_uncasdewar

I've only ever used the vaporetto for some arrivals/departures, and twice up or down the Grand Canal for picture taking. Otherwise, I walk everywhere. You'll see so much more of the real Venice if you walk. But if you're heading to Murano or Burano or such, then a pass might be a good idea.

WillTravel

I did lots of walking and also used the vaporetto. I also visited in December. Each vaporetto ride costs 6 Euros now, so with the rides to/from the airport, I think that you could easily use the value of the pass.

ellenem

Susan,

Let's say you use the vaporetto to arrive and depart. (2 rides)

Then you ride the full length of the Grand Canal, once during the day and once at night, just for the magic and fun of it. (2 rides)

You're up to 4 rides, which would cost 6 euros each, or 24 euros total. One more ride and you could have bought the pass aand spent the same. Are you planning to visit Murano? There's your extra ride.

I'm from NYC, and I suspect if I was on my own in Venice I'd do a lot of walking. However, I've been to Venice 10 times so probably have a different list of sights to see than someone on a first visit. On a recent trip I was traveling with three friends who had never been to Venice before and were not interested in walking as much as I am. We still walked a lot but did use our 72-hour passes enough (spread over 4 days but within 72 hours) for them to be cost effective.

Skip the pass if you like, but then don't feel bad if you end up riding boats more than you expected. It's your choice.

julies

Other than for the basic transportation uses to get from the train station to our apt. etc., is the vaporetto as interesting to ride just to see the sights in the dead of winter? Or, in reality is this more of a nice weather activity?

ellenem

I suppose it depends on your interests. The vaporetto gives the best view of the palazzos, whose best side is turned toward the Grand Canal. riding a vaporetto you get a good view of the many kinds of boats going about daily life--police boats, fire boats grocery boats, moving boats, traghetti, private boats . . . . On my visit during Thansgiving, I was excited to sit outside on a vaporetto and watch canal life going on around me--even in the cold and rain. One of my friends also enjoy this. The other two preferred to stay warm and dry inside, no matter the view.

SUMMAGOLD

Based on information given by our hotel, Locanda Ovidius, I gathered that there are three options for transportation from the airport to venice center, more specifically the rialto bridge:

Option 1: Alilaguna 40 mins to Fondamenta Nove 10E (per person???), and "a very nice walk" to rialto bridge.

Option 2: private water taxi, 30 mins 100E (can anyone confirm this rate? its rather expensive!)

Option 3: 15 mins public bus to piazzale roma for 3E; and 20 mins vaporetto to rialto E3.50. (total 35-40 mins at 6.50 Euros per person).


This sound about right??? I am more inclined to option 1 as there is no transfer, but the "very nice walk" might be a killer after the long flight from ny. Option 2 just sounds outrageous!; and option 3 might be still an option.

your opinions will be oh so helpful.....