Venice water taxi ripoffs
May 22nd, 2005, 03:37 PM
#1
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Venice water taxi ripoffs
We rented an apartment in Dorsoduro for two weeks through www.venice-rentals.org. Their site had an option to have them order a water taxi to meet you on arrival to take you to the apartment, with rave reviews of the service.
It was a bit pricey (150 euros) but we'd be arriving from a long trip from SFO, and thought the convenience worth paying for. The apartment is located by a canal, and we assumed that the driver would help us with our three bags and take us to the apartment.
When we arrived, we found that our checked bag had not, so we had to line up to fill out paperwork. After this, we went into the airport proper and saw the man with our name. He immediately grabbed one of the small roll ons and headed for the door outside, fast! We ran after him and finally got him to stop, saying we had to pick up the Venice Cards we had ordered. He siad we didn't need Venice Cards, we had a water taxi! I had to ask in a gift shop where the Venice Card stand was, and my husband had to practically sit on this man to prevent him from taking off again.
With Venice Cards in hand, he hurried us to his van and drove us to the water taxi. The water taxi driver was barely polite, and did not open the rear area of his boat so we could have a view of arriving in Venice. I ended up sitting behind him on a box. Even so, when we entered the Grand Canal, I was moved to tears.
He took us only to the Campo San Vio on the Grand Canal, refused to take us closer to the apartment. Of course, we got no help with our bags, and had to drag them ourselves.
Our next water taxi incident was when we left. A lovely Venetian lady we'd met arranged for the taxi to come for us at 5am so we could make our flight at 6:50. The driver was prompt, and our friend had negotiated a fee of 80 euros. But the taxi driver dropped us off at the dock, where there were porters with large luggage carts waiting. We thought we'd tip the porter a few euros to take us to the van. Well, he took us to the van area, there was a van with an earlier group, we were not allowed on this. The porter said we'd need to pay 20 euros to be taken to the airport. What could we do? We ended up paying for this, as we didn't want to miss our plane. We were dumped at the doors to the airport and had to find a cart for our bags.
Any comments or feedback about this?
t.
It was a bit pricey (150 euros) but we'd be arriving from a long trip from SFO, and thought the convenience worth paying for. The apartment is located by a canal, and we assumed that the driver would help us with our three bags and take us to the apartment.
When we arrived, we found that our checked bag had not, so we had to line up to fill out paperwork. After this, we went into the airport proper and saw the man with our name. He immediately grabbed one of the small roll ons and headed for the door outside, fast! We ran after him and finally got him to stop, saying we had to pick up the Venice Cards we had ordered. He siad we didn't need Venice Cards, we had a water taxi! I had to ask in a gift shop where the Venice Card stand was, and my husband had to practically sit on this man to prevent him from taking off again.
With Venice Cards in hand, he hurried us to his van and drove us to the water taxi. The water taxi driver was barely polite, and did not open the rear area of his boat so we could have a view of arriving in Venice. I ended up sitting behind him on a box. Even so, when we entered the Grand Canal, I was moved to tears.
He took us only to the Campo San Vio on the Grand Canal, refused to take us closer to the apartment. Of course, we got no help with our bags, and had to drag them ourselves.
Our next water taxi incident was when we left. A lovely Venetian lady we'd met arranged for the taxi to come for us at 5am so we could make our flight at 6:50. The driver was prompt, and our friend had negotiated a fee of 80 euros. But the taxi driver dropped us off at the dock, where there were porters with large luggage carts waiting. We thought we'd tip the porter a few euros to take us to the van. Well, he took us to the van area, there was a van with an earlier group, we were not allowed on this. The porter said we'd need to pay 20 euros to be taken to the airport. What could we do? We ended up paying for this, as we didn't want to miss our plane. We were dumped at the doors to the airport and had to find a cart for our bags.
Any comments or feedback about this?
t.
May 22nd, 2005, 03:45 PM
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Your ripoff started when you agreed at the beginning to pay 150 euro for a water taxi ride from the airport to your apartment, whether arranged by venice-rentals or anyone else.
You said you assumed the driver would take you to the apartment--is that what you had arranged? I wouldn't expect the average taxi driver anywhere to take me up to an apartment, unless it was venice-rentals own service and that was part of the very high price.
I'm having trouble understanding the second, return trip to the airport, not sure what was supposed to happen there.
I hope that otherwise you enjoyed your stay in Venice.
May 22nd, 2005, 04:29 PM
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I've only used a water taxi on departure from Venice and had no problems. We paid 90 Euro from San Polo to the airport. I agree with Elaine that most water taxi drivers only service you from your point of departure, which is on a canal, not from your apartment....unless otherwise arranged.
Our driver arrived on time at our vaporetto stop for a very early flight, helped us load our two light rolling carry on's onto the boat (which I didn't expect), got us there quickly with the back of the boat open for lovely views, and helped us with our baggage upon arrival (also not expected) at the airport.
We tipped him well and then took the van to the airport. The porters with the van were no less than extremely helpful, as well. They checked our gate info once we arrived at the airport, brought our bags there for us (although we were quite capable of handling them ourselves) and we also tipped them for their assistance. All service persons were very friendly in our exchanges.
I am sorry to hear of your unfortunate incident, oaklandlady, but I think that we all have to deal with less than stellar services in various parts of our travel, whether overseas or domestic. I also think that it helps to know what is and is not the norm for various services as they differ from one country to the next.
I also hope that you otherwise had a fabulous time in Venice and that the water taxi incidents didn't override the magic of the city for you. Thanks for posting your experience.
Our driver arrived on time at our vaporetto stop for a very early flight, helped us load our two light rolling carry on's onto the boat (which I didn't expect), got us there quickly with the back of the boat open for lovely views, and helped us with our baggage upon arrival (also not expected) at the airport.
We tipped him well and then took the van to the airport. The porters with the van were no less than extremely helpful, as well. They checked our gate info once we arrived at the airport, brought our bags there for us (although we were quite capable of handling them ourselves) and we also tipped them for their assistance. All service persons were very friendly in our exchanges.
I am sorry to hear of your unfortunate incident, oaklandlady, but I think that we all have to deal with less than stellar services in various parts of our travel, whether overseas or domestic. I also think that it helps to know what is and is not the norm for various services as they differ from one country to the next.
I also hope that you otherwise had a fabulous time in Venice and that the water taxi incidents didn't override the magic of the city for you. Thanks for posting your experience.
May 22nd, 2005, 04:33 PM
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I forgot to add that your experience upon arrival could have been due to the fact that the driver had another pick up to make, so he was ready to leave right away and couldn't wait around. They all work on a schedule at times.
Also, there was no one else waiting to go to the airport when we arrived the dock at Marco Polo, and we also had to pay 20 Euro to take the van. We knew we could take the bus much cheaper if we waited, but we were in a hurry and figured the van and service with it was easier.
Also, there was no one else waiting to go to the airport when we arrived the dock at Marco Polo, and we also had to pay 20 Euro to take the van. We knew we could take the bus much cheaper if we waited, but we were in a hurry and figured the van and service with it was easier.
May 22nd, 2005, 04:47 PM
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The 150 charge from the airport to the vicinity of your apt. was a ripoff. Even when pre-arranged, it shouldn't cost more than 80 or 90. Did you do any research on the usual price before agreeing to this?
No, water taxi drivers don't carry your luggage from the dropoff point to your apt. any more than land taxi drivers do.
No, water taxi drivers don't carry your luggage from the dropoff point to your apt. any more than land taxi drivers do.
May 22nd, 2005, 05:02 PM
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It seems to me that the problem was that the apartment did not have a dock for the watertaxi to go to. Having taken watertaxes to hotels that do have a dock the watertaxi delivered us to the hotel dock and then the hotel bellhop was there at the dock to take our luggage into the hotel.
It seems to me oaklandlady that you got completely ripped off. First on the price of the watertaxi. And secondly that you were not advised that the apartment did not have a dock at the apartment for the watertaxi.
BTW, what happened regarding the luggage that did not arrive with you on your flight into Venice?
It seems to me oaklandlady that you got completely ripped off. First on the price of the watertaxi. And secondly that you were not advised that the apartment did not have a dock at the apartment for the watertaxi.
BTW, what happened regarding the luggage that did not arrive with you on your flight into Venice?
May 22nd, 2005, 05:03 PM
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I should have said that this was the only really bad experience we had in a two and a half week stay in Venice. It is one of the most magical places imagineable; I will never forget waking in the mornig, first to birdsong, then to the ringing of bells from the nearby churches,
Sorry to sound negative. I did do research, and got the impression that paying more meant extra service.
Sorry to sound negative. I did do research, and got the impression that paying more meant extra service.
May 22nd, 2005, 05:23 PM
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Hello oaklandlady (btw, are you from Oakland Ca?). I am so happy to see your post regarding the fact that your two and a half week stay in Venice was wonderful. Venice is so beautiful and thank goodness you enjoyed your stay there! I hope that you find time to share your vacation with us. Best wishes.
May 23rd, 2005, 12:24 PM
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oaklandlady, I'm also glad to hear that your stay in Venice was wonderful, aside from the water taxi incident. Venice is a magical city and I'm looking forward to returning myself this fall.
I guess I can see where you might have thought that you would be getting more service by paying more for a taxi arranged by your agency. Honest mistake that you won't be making again, huh?
I guess I can see where you might have thought that you would be getting more service by paying more for a taxi arranged by your agency. Honest mistake that you won't be making again, huh?
May 23rd, 2005, 12:31 PM
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Hi Hi oakland,
Think of it this way: Next time you will pay only 90E for a water taxi into Venice, the back will be open, you will be dropped right at your apartment and your luggage will be with you.
Think how much happier you will be.
Think of it this way: Next time you will pay only 90E for a water taxi into Venice, the back will be open, you will be dropped right at your apartment and your luggage will be with you.
Think how much happier you will be.
May 23rd, 2005, 04:50 PM
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My husband and I do live in Oakland, CA, like many others we migrated to the Bay Area after college. I've lived in SF, Marin and the Peninsula, and love my home and garden looking over at San Francisco. Now if we could only get the Bay Bridge retrpfitted...
Thanks for the suggestion about writing about our trip to Venice, I will do so. Sorry if I seemed negative reporting the water taxi experience; I do a lot of research, don't mind paying more for extra service, but am unhappy when it is not delivered, and try to warn others.
We payed 90 euros to the charming young gondolier at the Accademia campo, I know it's possible to bargain cheaper, but we loved it! He didn't sing, but whistled sometimes. We have wonderful photos of that experience, which some pooh-pooh as too touristy, but it's an only-in-Venice experience.
Thanks for the suggestion about writing about our trip to Venice, I will do so. Sorry if I seemed negative reporting the water taxi experience; I do a lot of research, don't mind paying more for extra service, but am unhappy when it is not delivered, and try to warn others.
We payed 90 euros to the charming young gondolier at the Accademia campo, I know it's possible to bargain cheaper, but we loved it! He didn't sing, but whistled sometimes. We have wonderful photos of that experience, which some pooh-pooh as too touristy, but it's an only-in-Venice experience.
May 23rd, 2005, 05:58 PM
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Hello Oaklandlady, oh yes, if the SF Bay Bridge would only get retrofitted. It has only been since 1989. Do you think we are getting a bit impatient,LOL. It is ridiculous, is it not.
Personally I think it is good that you posted the problem you had with the water taxi. It is good for travellers to be aware of things like this.
If you have time, a trip report would be wonderful. Best wishes.
Personally I think it is good that you posted the problem you had with the water taxi. It is good for travellers to be aware of things like this.
If you have time, a trip report would be wonderful. Best wishes.
