Marianna

I read that prices vary and that it is better to purchase ahead and know the cost. Hotel tells me that it is not necessary to book ahead as sometimes they charge extra if you are a little late arriving at the Piazzale Roma. They say to just go to the water taxi line and wait for the next available taxi. They said that if they arrange it for us, it will be more expensive than if we do it ourselves.

Does anyone know approximately how much this might cost for 4 people and luggage? Is it less if I book a round trip? Is it advisable to do this online or by phone with a company such as Consorzio Motoscafi or other which you might suggest? Or is it better and or easier to just arrive at Piazzale Roma and get in a line for a private water taxi?

Thanks.

annhig

I've not done this, but there is no shortage of water taxis in venice.

if the hotel says turn up and wait in line, I suspect they know what they are talking about.

no idea about cost, but the water taxi from the airport is about €100 so it should be a lot lesss than that.

why not e-mail one of the on-line companies for a quote? then you'll know roughly what it ought to cost.

notbob

The cost should be in the neighborhood of 60 euro. That is generally the going rate from P le Roma to most of the hotels in Venice proper.

I would not book ahead but just go to the water taxi area and grab one. Ask/negotiate the price before you and your luggage are on the boat.

qwovadis

eurocheaopo.com Venice great budget guides

Have stayed at Londra Palace you can take a private
wanter taxi to San Marco it is right there.For small groups, private shuttle boat services fares for private boat transfer shuttle services vary but are from €100 for up to four traveling to San Marco.Alilaguna shuttle VCE San Marco 12 euro per person.

Usually cheapest for me bus/shuttle VCE to P Roma buy vaporretto pass for 3 days 30 euros or so go everywhere as much as I like FREE after that go right up the Grand Canal
to my San Marco Hotel from there.

But you are correct private shuttle easiest quickest

though more costly... then you would still have to pay

to vaporretto around...

qwovadis

http://www.eurocheapo.com/venice/fea...to-venice.html

tarquin

I can't make you out, qwovadis, you seem to have been everywhere and done everything recently. Really?

tejana

I agree with the earlier post - no need to reserve. I thought about booking in advance once, but they wanted to charge an extra 30 euro because they needed to "meet me" at the train to take me to the taxi stop. Seriously - there is one exit and you cannot get lost, and there are plenty of water taxis immediate to the left as you exit the station. Just ask the fist taxi what the rate is to Londra Palace. I think it was around 70 euro to the Metropole a couple of years ago. If you are lucky and the sun is shining, it is a magical way to start your visit (and if you are less lucky and it is raining, you will be extra happy for the private transfer anyway!).

ira

Hi M,

Is there a reason why you don't trust the Londra Palace Hotel?

Are you sure that you want to stay there?

Marianna

Hello ira, the person I spoke to said that if they arranged it for us it would be more expensive than if we did it ourselves in the manner in which people above have suggested. I actually thought that was quite honest of her to tell me that instead of saying that they will take care of it for us and gladly charge us more for doing it. Yes, I trust the hotel's information and am very sure I want to stay there.

Thanks for the information, everyone. I am somewhat confused over the price at Piazzale Roma as I think I read you don't negotiate there and it is about 90-100 euro in contrast to booking online. Two places I just checked were 60 euro each way but if you booked the round trip they gave a 10% discount. Not sure though if we should book online.

tejana

I just double checked some old emails, and I was wrong about the cost. Two years ago I was quoted 65 euro (plus a required 30 euro "meet" fee) to book the transfer in advance, but I think I paid 60 on the spot. And any quote you get will cover 4 people and luggage. Don't worry about having it planned in advance - there are always water taxis waiting at the station.

Marianna

Thanks, tejana!

nytraveler

Reserving in advance or booking a round trip will likely cost you much more. These are TAXIS - and like land taxis go where the job takes them at any time. I f you are requiring they be at a certain place at a certain time you are peventing them from doing other jobs and will pay for it.

There are always plenty at Piazzele Roma and you pay by the taxi - not the nunmber of people or luggage - but you should tip if they are hauling aorund 8 or 9 large pieces of luggage for you.

The last time we did a similar trip it was around $80 - but that was a few years ago - so I would expect more know. Also, price depends in part on how many taxis are waiting for fares

zoecat

If you really want to save some money just take the vaporetto from P Roma to your hotel. If you buy a vaporetto pass for the number of days you are there it will be even cheaper.

I'm curious- How will you be getting to P Roma and from where?

Marianna

I did find a company which charges 60 euro for 4 people and luggage from Piazzale Roma to the Londra stop. It's the short way but if we want to, we can pay extra (40 euro) and take a 30 minute trip on the Grand Canal. It will be DS and DDIL's first trip and we think it may be a wonderful way to arrive in Venice.

Zoecat, we are driving from the French Riviera and will drop off our car, which we are renting in Milan, at the Piazzale Roma and pick one up when we move on to Trieste. Today, we have been considering driving to the Venice airport and dropping of our car there instead and take the water taxi to the hotel. When DS and DDIL leave Venice we can make the return water taxi ride to the airport and change the pick of another car to getting it at the airport when we leave to go to Trieste.

Gwendolynn

We've done both... and I think leaving the car at the P Roma is much easier. Also., a taxi from the airport will be considerably more pricey. Also, we "penny pinched" on many of our trips to Venice. As we got older we said... to h... with it! Spring for the taxi!! (On the Grand Canal.)

zorrosf

I highly recommend a private water taxi. It is the closest you will ever get to feeling like James Bond and well worth the 90-100 euros it will cost. The taxi will take you to a dock about 40 meters from the entrance to the Londra Palace (which, BTW, is a wonderful hotel!). When you arrive at the train station, you will be approached by numerous young men with trollies asking if you want a private water taxi. They will take your bags and lead you to a taxi. I tip the young man 1 euro per bag.

I have recommended this to numerous friend (even cheapskates) and they all (even the cheapskates) have reported it was one the highlights of their European vacation.

Bonne journee

nytraveler

Taking a taxi in from the airport will cost about twice as much as taking it from Piazzele Roma - so I definitely wouldn;;t do that.

We take the water taxi only when we have luggge to haul. The rest of the time we walk or take the vaporetto. You can get a great tour of Venice -incuding the Grand Canal onthe latter. For a fun trip take one out to the casino after dark - when you can see only the varius lights at differnt islands - and feel you're in some science fiction movie.

zorrosf

Yes, a vaporetto will get you to your hotel as will a private water taxi. A Ferrari will get you to your destination as will a Yugo (maybe). If just getting to your hotel is the goal, take the Yugo (vaporetto). If you want a magical experience, take the Ferrari.

Marianna

We are back from our trip to the French Riviera, Venice and Trieste.

We decided to leave the car at the Piazzale Roma (the drop off was confusing - no agent - just leave keys, paperwork and car and go) and take a private water taxi without pre-reserving. It cost us 70 euro for 4 people and luggage. We had a little longer ride than expected which was delightful -such a wonderful way to arrive in Venice! Our son and DIL loved it!

We arrived right in front of the Hotel Londra which is a great hotel. We loved our 4th floor suite with balcony and beautiful views. Son and DIL had a lovely Classic room with huge bathroom.

steviegene

Thanks for the update! This thread comes in handy for our trip in September! Would love to hear more about your trip.