3 day ACTV pass v the 3 day Venice Card
 

I can't decide which pass is best for us. Price-wise, they come to the same as the 72 hr vaporetto is 22E and the 3 day Blue Venice Junior is 21E (We both are in our twenties). The only difference seems to be that the Venice Card includes free use of public conveniences, some discounts and a few museum entries.

I've searched the forums and I can't find too many recommendations that the Venice Card is a good buy. I was wondering if anyone else had any opinions or if anyone has used the Venice Card and found it beneficial. Thanks.

The three-day vaporetto pass is the key, that's where you can save some money if you take the vaporetto a few times each day. I've never seen a posting that claims that the Venice Card is necessary (the museums included are not the usual popular places) but if the price is the same, and 3 days on the vaporetto is included, I'm not understanding the dilemma.

We opted for the Venice Card and used it to get into a some of the museums and public toilets for free. We also used it for a few discounts in shops and restaurants with no problem.

It operates the same as the vaporetto pass as you get unlimited travel with it- just remember to have someone validate it on the first day you're using it. (We did have ours checked a few times.)

Since the price is the same - get the Venice Pass. You might end up using some of added amenities. If you don't, it doesn't matter as the price is the same.

Generally posts here have stated that the extra money for the Venice pass isn't worth it, but since you're of an age where it is actually a euro cheaper, I can't imagine why you wouldn't get it, even if you never used it for anything but the boats?

Just to confuse matters a bit further for you, you say that you are in your twenties and so you also have the option if buying a Rolling Venice Card which costs €3. This will get you various discounts within Venice and is valid for a year I think.

Most important for you, you get a discount of €7 on the 72 hour vaporetto pass reducing the cost to €15. You've already saved your €3 outlay before using the card for anything else.

For more information see: http://www.comune.venezia.it/rol2/home1.asp?ipo=

Sharon--I agree with the above postings: If the Blue Card costs less than the 72 hr. vaporetto pass, then the Blue card sure looks like the better deal as you get 3 days vaporetto use plus discounts and museum entries.

Good point, Where2Travel. Alas, I have no reason to know about special discounts for the young. Now if you want to hear about senior discounts. . .

Thanks for all the responses.

Elaine, the dilemma is not because of the price, but I read a post somewhere stating that the booth to pick up the Venice Card wasn't manned or something, and they had to wait for like 15 minutes for someone to come and assist them. So I was wondering if anyone else had problems picking up the Venice Card, and whether it would be more convenient to just arrive at the station and pick up the ACTV vaporetto pass. Also, the Venice Card needs to be booked online, I think.

Jbee, did you have problems picking up the card?

WhereToTravel, yes, you have managed to confuse me further. I'm going to have to find out more on the Rolling Venice Card and then decide.

Decisions, decisions....

thanks for explaining the dilemma.
I've been to Venice 3 times, have not had to rely on public restrooms, and the museums and other venues I want to see are not included on the Venice Card anyway. Plenty of churches and museums and such have bathrooms for visitors to use. If there's a hassle factor, then just go with the vaporetto pass.

Where are you coming in? We flew into Marco Polo and had no issues finding the booth or getting our card. It also came with a map, which is one of my favorite Venice maps.

It looks like the main 2 places to pick it up are the airport and the train station. I'm guessing you've already researched the card, but here's the page with the places & times: http://www.venicecard.com/quando_eng.jsp

We really had no issues buying, getting, or using the card. We ended up going to the Museo Correr (included on the card) and it was very enjoyable. The stores & restaurants honored the discount listed in the guide as well.