okoshi2002

Hello- would you be able to give me a name of a car company which has a drop off site near Venice from which it would be easy to catch a water-borne vehicle into Venice ?

ira

Hi OK,

Almost everyone has drop-off at the Pzza Roma (A huge parking garage just inside Venice)

You mihgt want to consider dropping your car near the train station in Mestre (just over the bridge to Venice) and taking the train to Venice San Lucia - about 1E.

okoshi2002

Hello Ira-
I've heard that Venice is especially scenic when approached by the water from the mainland - is this overstated ? Would dropping the car off at the airport allow a water approach , or is it better to drive to the drop off by rail station as you mention ?

ira

Hi OK,

>...Venice is especially scenic when approached by the water from the mainland.<

If you are coming in on your own yacht - maybe. If it's on the Alilaguna shuttle boat - ?????.

Coming out of the San Lucia train station onto the Grand Canal is a sight you won't forget.

A water taxi from the airport will be 80E, for the boat not pp.

rex

You can have essentially the same visual first encounter, coming from Piazzale Roma (from the rental car return places) as you get upon exiting the Santa Lucia train station - - though maybe it is slightly more "gradual".

The approach, over the causeway, to Venice by car is interesting, but it is not the &quot;wow!&quot; experience everyone raves about. It adds to a certain building anticipation, I guess. It's quite clear that you are going to a very <i>aquatic</i> place.

Best wishes,

Rex

okoshi2002

Thank all- I think I understand. So drop-off of car more convenient ( won't worry about the view ) at airport and catch Alilaguna versus take car to Piazza Roma ?

Wayne

You certainly have described in your last note one of the two best ways to drop off a car and go into Venice. But I don't see the advantage of your selection. When you can drive right into the Piazzale Roma, up to the parking garage with rental car offices, and drop off your car there, I don't see the purpose in inserting a train into the middle of the itinerary. After you turn in your car, you simply walk across the street from the parking garage and catch a water bus to your hotel.

Most major car rental companies have a desk at the Pzle Roma garage. I happen to have used Avis and Hertz, but there are also rental desks for Europcar and some others. Good luck.

okoshi2002

Hello- I am still a bit puzzled- can one get to Venice from Marco Polo Airport by getting on an Alilaguna boat directly or is another transfer necessary via train ? Thank you for helping.

okoshi2002

I am asking about airport because it seems many car rental offices close by noon or 130PM on Saturdays. The airport offices are open later.

ira

Hi OK,

You can:

1. Drive into Venice to the Pzza Roma.

2. You can drop the car at the Marco Polo airport and take the Alilaguna ferry into the city.

3. You can drop the car in Mestre and take the train (10 min) into Venice.

You will find a map of Venice at www.multimap.com, www.mappy.com or www.viamichelin.com.

The Alilaguna website is http://www.alilaguna.it/

Train schedules are at www.trenitalia.com/en

okoshi2002

Hi Ira-
Thank you. Will check those sites.

capxxx

I have tried all three ... if you are looking for wow-factor, your options are in this order.

1st Airport to ferry, to P. San Marco
2nd (surprisingly neat), arrive by train.
3rd Car to P. Roma, step into Venice.

okoshi2002

Hi Capxx and Ira- thanks, think will go for the Alilaguna ferry and the &quot;wow&quot; effect.

ira

Enjoy your trip, OK