How To Get Around In Venice Italy – Plus How To Get From Venice Airport

 

If planning a trip to Venice for the first time, you’ll undoubtedly want to know how to get around in Venice. The Italian city built on over 100 islands and interconnected by unique and beautiful bridges. Yes, Venice is more beautiful than you could have imagined but what’s the transportation like in Venice, how much does it cost, can you walk in Venice? Are there cars in Venice, are there buses, taxis or trains?  All that and more I what I will be covering in this post.

 

I am sure you have no doubt seen some of my tips on how to do Venice on budget, or how to plan a trip to Italy, where to stay in Venice and what the best areas are. When it comes to planning a visit to Venice transportation is an important element and this includes the question of how to get from Venice Airport to Venice the main city. 

 

 

How To Get Around In Venice

Below are the main transportation modes in Venice. By far the best way to get around in Venice is on foot! Walking around Venice leads you to beautiful and hidden gems tucked away in little alleyways. If you are looking for the best restaurants, cafes, canal views, you can only find this by walking around in Venice. Of course you still need to use other modes of transportation for places that may be further away. For the most part, Vaporetti(plural) is the main mode of transportation in Venice and the cheapest too.

 

 

Vaporetti 

The Vaporetto is the main public transport in Venice. These are water buses that go up and down on the Grand Canal and to the surrounding islands. The best and cheapest transportation in Venice if you need to go from one point to another. It is the most beautiful route in the world on a boat. Taking the Vaporetto from Piazzale Roma to Piazza San Marco is about 45 minutes.  For instance, to reach St Mark’s Square by Vaporetto, take line 1 or 2 from the main train station. A total of 20 lines serve you in and out of Venice. A single water bus ticket cost € 7.50, including the price of luggage up to 150cm. The ticket is good for 75 minutes. During this time, you can change Vaporetto lines.

 

 

Trains

Venice’s Railway Station (Santa Lucia) can be accessed from all main European and Italian cities. The Railway Station overlooks the Lagoon and is located just steps away from the stops of Venice’s main public transportation lines. If you are using Verona Airport to get to Venice, you will most likely come through this station. Verona is only about 1 hour and 30 minutes on the fast train. I have shared tips on how to get from Verona to Venice on the blog. Train travel in Italy is super easy and so cheap compared to the UK so its a great way to get around in Italy. Always make sure you book the fast trains in advance via Trenitalia. You can actually check train times and best deals via Omio. You can also travel around in Italy and Europe easily if you have a Eurail pass.

 

Traghetti

Traghetto(singular) means ferry in Italian. A Traghetto is a public gondola crossing the Grand Canal. A small pound to crossover. For tourists, it costs approximately EUR 2.00 each time. The Traghetto boarding places are found along the Grand Canal 7 times and operate almost non-stop. These run because up until 1854, the Rialto Bridge was the only bridge across the Grand Canal in Venice. Even today, there are only four bridges along the Grand canal’s 2.5-mile length. If you need to cross the canal and you aren’t near a bridge, there are two options:

• Take the No. 1 vaporetto, which zig-zags from one bank to the other as it follows the Grand Canal.

• Use the traghetto pier and get rowed to the other side. As a tourist, you’ll be expected to pay €2, ( a rate nearly three times the resident rate of 70 cents), but there is a workaround for frequent visitors: See our “money-saving tip” below.

• Pro Tip: If you’ve applied for and bought the VeneziaUnica Pass for Frequent Users, show the card, as this entitles you to the local residents’ fare of 70 cents instead of the tourist price of €2.

 

Water Taxi Cost And Types Available

Venice water taxi are plenty but not the cheapest mode of transportation in Venice. These are shared or private water taxis. There are 16 landing areas where you can catch the water taxi. This includes the one at Venice Marco Polo Airport, Piazzale Roma, Ferrovia, Rialto, San Marco, and depending on whether your hotel is located on the water’s edge you will also find landing stages near the hotel’s entrance. While they may be the most costly transportation mode in Venice, they are certainly the fastest as you eliminate the need to stop at every Vaporetto stop.

 

You can ask your hotel to hail one for you or you can find this yourself. Depending on the season, you may also be able to negotiate down the price a little bit but expect to pay in the region of 80 Euros for the Venice private taxi. We have ridden on private water taxi ride but we did also discover the cheaper shared Venice taxis. If you are heading to Venice Airport or arriving from the airport this is by far the quickest option and cheap too. I shared a post on how to arrive in Venice in style without breaking the bank. You can book the shared Venice water from Expedia. The shared water taxi cost range from around £20 per person. A lot cheaper if there is a group of you to book the whole taxi.

 

 

Car 

The city can be accessed from the mainland by car, thanks to the Translagunare Bridge, the longest bridge in Italy. With limited parking options at garages in Piazzale Roma or on the island of Tronchetto, for only £30 per 24 hours. This is why it is NOT advised to travel to Mestre by car. 

There is really no need to bring water to Venice and less money is no object and you want to throw away £30 every day to have your car parked. Not to mention the limited car park space. My advice is not to do it. If you have a rental, go as far as Verona and drop it off at the many rental places and then take the train to Venice. Venice has no road other than the main bridge from the mainland. Your best way to getting around in Venice is on foot and via the Vaporetto and the occasional ride on the Gondola.

 

Gondolas

The Gondola is the hallmark of Venice and the first thing the mind conjures up when you think of Venice. Who hasnt dreamt of romantic rides on the Gondola while being sang to? Oh, just me?! Beautifully crafted and one of the most sought after experiences in Italy. 

The cost of a Gondola ride does not come cheap. For the private ride that is. Gondola costs, during daytime are about EUR 80, for a ride of 40 minutes. With a maximum capacity of 6 passengers. In the evening the cost goes up to EUR 100. This gondola ride price does not include a serenade or a tip! There are cheaper gondola tickets in a shared gondola include a serenade.

 

 

Cycling or Walking In Venice

The bicycle as a means of transport in Venice is not that popular. There are however Venice bike tour through the city costs £39 plus you have a guide and you cycle over the island of Lido and some other places. You also have plenty of walking tours on both Expedia and Viator Tours. 

Or if you prefer simple pleasures try walking, make Venice an adventure! Do differently than most tourists. Find the unknown streets and explore Venice. The best way is to get lost! You’ll always find your way back if you follow the Grand Canal. The architecture, the buildings, and the super cosy traditional restaurants are great if you encounter unexpectedly! For additional tips check out this self-guided tour of Venice.

 

 

Venice Transportation Costs & Where To Buy A Venice Travel Card

Now lets talk costs of getting around in Venice. While paper tickets are available at main embarkment points and from authorized resellers displaying the ACTV logo, electronic tickets can also be pre-purchased online. On previous visit I used to use the paper ticket in recent visits I have opted for the mobile-based tickets. 

There are 6 different types of tickets ranging from £7.50 for a regular route and £60 for a Venice weekly pass. The boat trip from on the bank of the Grand Canal costs only £2(cash only) or you can purchase reduced-price tickets from www.veniceconnected.com.

IMOB smart cards are available at all ACTV ticket offices, although they allow you to save on official rates it is advised for long-term visits. You can also opt to get the Venice Pass, this allows you to have free airport transfer between the airport and the city center, access to free and discounted entrance to Venice attractions.

 

Venezia Unica City Pass

An all-in-one pass that offers unlimited use of public transportation admission to tourist attractions and cultural events in the city, plus a number of other useful services. You can purchase your card online and customize it to suit your individual travel needs at www.veneziaunica.it/en.

 

Venice Vaporetto Costs

Below are the prices for the Vaporetto from the 24-hour ticket to the 7 Day Vaporetto pass in Venice:

• Venice Day Pass / 24 Hour Ticket €20
• 48 Hour Ticket €30
• Venice 3 Day Pass / 72 Hour Ticket €40
• Venice 7 Day Pass / 7 Days Ticket €60

 

Getting From Marco Polo Airport To Venice

The best way to get from Venice airport to Venice is by far the water taxi, especially if you are visiting in the summer because the Vaporetti can be stupidly packed with the summer visitors. In winter is cold and a little wet, you may also opt for the water taxi, and another reason I prefer this method, especially when heading back to the airport is that I dont have to think of the many stops, its a straight journey from hotel of pickup sport to the airport.

So what happens if your hotel is not by the water’s edge? You will be dropped off at the nearest taxi landing area closest to your hotel.

NOTE: The Vaporetti DOES NOT SERVER the airport, also just fact in the time it fog in winter, that transportation might be slower.  Especially factoring in the chances of waiting for the next Vaporetti if the one that arrives is packed during the summer when getting back to your hotel to pick up your luggage.

 

How To Get To From Venice Marco Polo Airport to Venice City

When it comes to how to get from Venice airport to Venice you have two options.  The option of the Venice water taxi or The Alilaguna Water Boats or the Water Taxi – The Venice water buses do not serve the airport.

• Alilaguna Water boats Airport Fares –  Fares range from 15 to 18€ (Price per person, which includes big luggage + hand luggage. There is a 3€ for each additional piece of luggage). Children of less than 6-year-old can travel freely.
• Where to buy your Alilaguna Tickets?  To buy the Alilaguna tickets,  you have to go to the Alilaguna ticket office at the Alilaguna ticket office near the piers or in the airport arrivals hall or you can buy the tickets in advance online.

 

How Much Is A Water Taxi In Venice

I have covered this above. Venice water taxi costs ranger from 80 Euros but you can also book the shared taxi.

 

Getting From Venice To Murano and Burano

You have the option of taking a private water taxi but also factor in the cost of the journey back. You can also take the Vaporetti from Venice to Murano or Burano. Go get from Venice to Murano you can take Line 4.2 Vaporetto passing through the Cannaregio Canal, to get to the Island of Murano.

 

Getting from Venice to Burano, you need to take line 12 which also passes through Murano to get to Burano. Remember the timetable for line 12 changes in November 2019. You can get more information on Vaporetti timetables here.

 

 

Can You Walk Around Venice?

Getting around in Venice on foot is pretty much one of the best ways to explore Venice. There are plenty of beautiful bridges and alleyways that you just don’t get to see while on a boat, water taxi or Gondola ride which are just beautifully quiet and away from crowds. You can only experience this on foot! So, yes, you can walk around in Venice and yes, it is the best way to explore this stunning city.

 

Planning Your Visit To Venice

As I have mentioned above, if you are planning a trip to Italy make sure you check out my post for tips. If you are visiting from outside Europe, also check out my post on the best travel accessories to bring on a trip to Europe. For additional tips to plan your trip to Venice: 

• Check out flight deals to Venice or Verona(nearest airport outside Venice) on Expedia.
• Check for accommodation via Booking which has the largest selection of hostels, hotels and apartments.
• For additional tips on accommodation check out my post on the best areas to stay in Venice with tips on hotels that have views of the Grand Canal.
• Book Venice tours on Viator, Get Your Guide or Expedia.
• Never travel without travel insurance.
• Prepare what to wear for Venice.
• Additional tips on how to get to Venice from Verona Airport.

 

 

Also See:

• The Best Viewpoints In Venice
• A Weekend In Venice
• How To Get From Verona To Lake Garda
• The Best Towns On Lake Como
• The Best Places To Stay In Lake Garda On A Budget
• How To Get From Pisa To Florence
• How To See Florence In One Day

 

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