Best transportation from Venice airport.
 

I'll be travelling to Venice for the first time, solo, next fall. My plans are all set EXCEPT for getting myself from the airport to my hotel near the Basilica of San Marco. Would someone please suggest the best way to do this and roughly how much (Euros???) it will cost? Thank you.

Hi Sharon. We just did this in April and I think it's hard to beat approaching San Marco from the water. There's a water bus called the Alilaguna which runs between the airport and San Marco. It's very easy to find (Marco Polo airport is very small) and, although I don't recall what it cost, it wasn't very much. <BR><BR>You could also, of course, take a water taxi from the airport which would be faster but also cost more.

Hi Sharon<BR>Alilaguna boat leaves from a pier just outside the arrivals terminal and cruises through the lagoon to the Museo stop on Murano, then continues to the Lido (a resort island that separates the Venice Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea) before finishing its run at San Marco. When you emerge from baggage claim and customs at Marco Polo Airport, you'll see a "Water bus" ticket booth in the outer lobby. Roll your luggage cart through the doors at the corner of the lounge and head for the large yellow waterbus at the dock next to the terminal. The Cooperativa runs this service hourly between 4.45am and five minutes past midnight from the airport to San Marco and vice versa. Allow 60-70 minutes from or to San Marco. Taxis are faster but if you have the time, your luggage is manageable, and the weather is fair, I also think this longer ride is also a thrilling introduction to Venice. <BR><BR>For more info on current fares and such try<BR>www.actv.it <BR>www.elmoro.com <BR>www.timeout.com/venice www.goeurope.about.com www.venicelink.net<BR><BR>Enjoy Venice on your own, I did the first time too.<BR>If you'd like to see my Venice file, email me.

Hi<BR><BR>The most romantic way to San Marco is by water taxi. Its such a "James Bond" experience to cruise the lagoon in one of the wooden taxi's. Just love it. You will have plenty of opportunities to see the lagoon from various vaporetti, especially if you go to Torcello (which I highly reccomend). If you do take the water taxi, be sure to negotiate a trip down the grand canal as the most direct route may skip that. Expensive but worth it.<BR><BR>The second easiest way is the Alilaguna. Unfortunately the design of the boat does not make for the best sightseeing.<BR><BR>The cheapest way is to take the bus to Piazzle Roma and then take a vaporetto to your hotel. But this is a big waste as far as I am concerned.<BR><BR>

Thanks so much to all 3 of you for your great advice/directions. And, Elaine, your kind to offer the info. from your trip -- I may take you up on it a little later.