Have a number of choices for an apt in Venice area, mainly Venice (expensive) or Mestre and Chioggia (much cheaper). I don't want to spend 45-90 minutes just getting into Venice from Mestre or Chioggia so would it be worth it to pay more for the apt in Venice? If it's a relatively quick and easy trip then I'll go for it. Thanks. jk

It will take you at least that long to get to Venice from Chioggia; about a 10 minute train ride from Mestre, albeit worlds away. Why don't you post your criteria for an apartment, including price range and time of year you're going, and see if fellow posters can give you suggestions for more affordable apartments in Venice?

I certainly understand wanting to economize whenever possible when traveling, but I definitely would not want to stay in Mestre. It has a rather drab, industrial park look about it and, as noted above, would require time to go to and from Venice proper.

Venice is such a unique, almost surreal city don't trade dollars (or rather euros) for a wonderful experience. I think if you search online you might be able to find something to rent in your budget, or a bit more. Some Fodorites have great success with Priceline.

I chose to economize 18mths ago on a trip to Venice, & stayed in Chioggia. It was a nice, small town, but nobody spoke English at all, so i felt quite isolated, especially as i was travelling alone.
There is only one direct boat each morning to Venice, so the trip usually entailed a boat to a local island, where we then had to get on a bus to cross it, another boat to the Lido, then vaparetto to St Mark's Square. It took around 60-70mins, so i would certainly recommend you stay in Venice if possible. Especially after a long day exploring Venice, it was really tiring getting back.

I agree with the others - if you can stretch to it, stay in Venice itself.

Part of the joy of the city is wandering around late at night, or early in the mornig when it can appear that you have the city to yourself.

I agree with other posters it makes sense to try to spend the extra money to stay right in Venice.
If you don't stay there you might consider trying Padova which is a short (half hour) train ride and an interesting city.

We rented an inexpensive apartment for two (could have held three less comfortably but ok) in Venice proper from veniceapartments.org.

I wouldn't go to Venice unless I could stay in Venice.

yuck to both.
If Venice is out of the budget, I would also highly suggest Padova - at least it does have some charm and sights of it's own...and, although not as quick to get to as Mestre, of course, trains are easy and frequent.

If it is a choice between Venice but staying in Mestre and no Venice, then I would take the Mestre option: at least the trains make it fast and easy to make more than one ound-trip per day. Its better than missing the Venetian experience altogether. But under no circumstances stay in Chioggia.