Help: Water taxis in Venice?

Old Sep 1st, 2002, 09:10 PM
  #1  
Linda
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Help: Water taxis in Venice?

Hi there, this is my first trip to Italy and I need some idea of what to expect. Can any one tell me the approx. cost of a water taxi and gondola ride in Venice? How different are the two?

Many thanks,
Linda
 
Old Sep 1st, 2002, 09:14 PM
  #2  
Belinda
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Linda, A water taxi is just that... a taxi that will take you from point A to point B, but of course by water (which of course are what serves as "streets" in Venice. They are expensive (we took one from the train station to St. Mark's square for about $100. Gondolas are the long black boats that you see with the characteristic gondaliere who poles the boat along. They are about $100 plus for a ride and go on a specific tour route. They are not used to get to a specific destination.

Another boat you haven't mentioned is the valparetto, or water bus. These are like city buses, stopping on their assigned routes and are by far the cheapest way to get around in Venice. They cost about $3.00 per ride. They can be crowded and hard to manage with luggage but are by far the best value.
 
Old Sep 1st, 2002, 10:23 PM
  #3  
Shar
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A gondola ride is expensive. i think it is around $150.00 for a hour but you can reduce the cost by sharing with other people. My husband and I just walked up to some people who were standing in line for the gondola and asked if they would be interested in sharing the cost and they did. It turned out that he was a doctor who practiced in Portland Oregon where my sister lives and he knew my sister's best friend who is a nurse at the hospital. We had a wonderful time with him and his 2 daughters. We both saved money. Don't be bashful just ask.

The valparetto is also an intersting excursion but stirctly utilitarian. A necessity in a city with no streets. Use it by all means. The "water bus" is what the "people" use. The tourist pay thru the nose and ride the gondola but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Shar
 
Old Sep 2nd, 2002, 12:19 PM
  #4  
claire
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A gondola ride is strictly a tourist activity these days. And, it is expensive unless you share, as noted above. There is an American Express deal others have mentioned on this site if you want to do a shared ride.

Water taxis take you directly from point "A" to point "B." think of it as a private limo with prices to match. Most often used to get to and from a hotel with luggage.

Vaporetto is a water bus that mostly goes up and down the Grand Canal. Although it can be tough riding a crowded one with luggage, we did it with no problem last summer. Caveat: If you are unlucky, you may be charged slightly more for bringing your luggage on board. Rarely happens, but it can. Note that you can get a one day pass, a week pass and a few other multi day options for the vaporetto. These are good deals. If the gondola prices are too high for you, taking the vaporeto along its complete route, especially at dusk & early evening, can be a magical ride. IF you get a multi-day pass, you only have to remember to stamp it the first time you use it. If you buy a ticket each time you ride the vaporetto, you must remember to stamp it in the machine BEFORE you get on the vaporetto or risk paying a hefty fine if a ticket check is done. In my experience, very rarely does anyone check the tickets. But, there's always that exception.....so be forewarned.
 
Old Sep 3rd, 2002, 01:26 AM
  #5  
Carron
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Hi,

Again I would recommend the vaparetto, you can by single fares or travel cards for 1 days, 2 days etc. They are very regular and its an easy system to follow and will get you to all the main sites. I have just returned from Venice and they were not too crowded. Do buy the tickets, they don't check very often but they do check, we were checked twice so its not worth risking. Also Venice is very walkable - so bring a comfortable pair of shoes and good luck
 
Old Sep 3rd, 2002, 10:16 AM
  #6  
Lucie
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Hello Linda
We spent 3 days in Venice in June and we only traveled by Vaporetto.. we had no problem at all...
The best way is to buy a 3 day pass (if you are there for at least 3 days)..
it will cost you 18 Euro per person and you'll be able to hop on and off any vaporetto's and as often as you like without having to purchase tickets everytime.
PS- They are not all crowded.. it depends which one you take.. we often ride vaporetto's that where not crowded at all and we where able to sit oustide on the back balcony.. was awsome !!!
Enjoy Venice !
Lucie
(ps. sorry for the mistakes/spelling error.. french traveler)
 
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