luvtotravel

I'm traveling to Venice with a friend where we will depart on a cruise after a few nights in Venice, but we are arriving at different times. We need to get to the Zattere stop in Venice. Our hotel does not have a private dock. From looking at a map, it appears we need to take the "B" or "blue" line from the airport with a public water bus. An option is a private water taxi to Zattere, but would be expensive since we will not be taking the same taxi.

We would like to get an idea of the cost of a private water taxi versus the public water bus. Zattere, on the blue line, is two stops beyond San Marcos and two stops before the cruise terminal.

The map I found is: http://www.alilaguna.it/images/stori...guna-linee.pdf

bilboburgler

I just pinched this from Trip advisor for the fun of it

"A private water bus from Marco Polo to Zattere can be hired from either the Consorziomotoscafivenezia or veneziataxi desks in the Arrivals Hall. Cost will be c. 120 euros but there is absolutely no need to tip the driver as they do not expect a tip. In 30+ years of using a private water taxi I have never, ever, tipped the taxi driver

Much cheaper, but very much slower taking over 1 hour compared with 20/30 minutes with a private water taxi, is the Alilaguna ferry to Zattere. Se www.alilaguna.it for their timetables and fares."

vincenzo32951

A compromise would be to book a group water taxi through a booking site such as viator.com. In that instance, you would share a water taxi with a few people and make a few stops, as opposed to taking the multi-stop Alilaguna. I'm guessing, but I think the cost is about 35 euros.

rellie2

We used the water bus on our first trip to Venice last year and also got off the Zattere stop.

We found it easy enough to use. The extra travel time didn't bother us as we enjoyed just looking around and taking in the view.

nytraveler

How much luggage will you have? (People going on a cruise often have quite a bit of luggage.) And can you easily handle it yourself.

Alliguna is fine if you have limited luggage - since you need to haul it on and off the boat yourself - and then drag it to your hotel. So this will work with a small wheelie plus a carry-on on your shoulder. If you have to pull two larger bags this can be an issue. With a water taxi the driver will help you get your luggage on and off the boat - so may be worth the additional cost.

Dukey1

The only problem with the water bus might be how many OTHER people are on it when you are AND how many of them ALSO have luggage.

And as to using a private taxi, we have done so on several occasions but we were always staying in a hotel which had its own dock.

As to tipping ANYBODY, making a major deal about not ever having done so speaks volumes.

thursdaysd

Making a major deal about throwing your money around speaks volumes too.

vincenzo32951

Re the private dock for water taxis: If you share the taxi and your hotel doesn't have a private dock, they'll usually drop you at the vaporetto stop closest to your hotel.

luvtotravel

Thank you for your responses. I'll be traveling light enough that I can handle my own luggage. My friend is in her 70s and I don't know how much luggage she will have. This is the first time we will be traveling together. Fortunately, our cruise (Viking Star) does not have restaurants where we need to dress up and we will be dressy casual at best. Hopefully, my friend will also travel light.

Our hotel is 500 feet from the Zattere stop and they just emailed me that there are no bridges to cross. That makes things easier.

I looked at Viator and it looks like they want parties of two or more. When I keyed in 1 person the date came up as not available. When I keyed in 2 people for the same date, it came up as available.

Personally, I'll be taking the public water bus to save money. I'm mostly concerned about my friend as we will be traveling separately.

Dukey1

Making a major deal about throwing your money around speaks volumes too.

Oh, please, get back on the teeter-totter where you belong.

Peter_S_Aus

Alilaguna is probably best' as shared water taxis will not take a booking for one person - you have to book as a pair.

Every time we have taken the Alilaguna, the driver hass helped with our baggage.

traveller1959

Thank you Bilbo for your information.

I profit very much from it since we will have the same requirement on our next trip to Venice in November.

I found that Motoscafi takes 100€ only while Veneziataxi charges 120€. There are discounts for return tickets. The fare is per boat (up to five persons) and not per person.

http://www.motoscafivenezia.it/eng/

NB: I found the tone of the discussion quite amusing.

vincenzo32951

You and especially your friend should be aware that there's a walk of several minutes from the terminal to the dock area for the Alilaguna or the water taxis. If strength, mobility and luggage are factors, a porter may be needed.