Shuttle from Venice Airport to Water Taxi Dock??
 

Can anyone tell me if there is still a shuttle that runs between Marco Polo/Venice airport terminal and the dock to the water taxis (I’ve seen mixed reports on various websites of its demise and then re-emergence)? - but wasn’t able to find any recent postings here.

Our plane is due to land around 7:30pm (October) – I’ve seen reports that water taxis run late and that you can just arrange for them at the water taxi desk upon arrival. If there is a shuttle, does anyone know how late it runs??

I’m traveling with my parents – and want to figure-out in advance the easiest way possible to get them from the airport to the water taxi.

Thanks in advance for any info or tips!

Consider taking the blue ACTV bus from in front of the terminal to Piazzale Roma where you can also take a watertaxi to your hotel--may take less time and hassle.

The shuttles from the airport do not run late. The company that runs these water buses is Alilaguna, make sure you know which pier is closest to your accomodation, there are different lines, so you need to get on the correct shuttle. Check there website for a timetable.

An alternative is to take the bus to Piazza Roma, and then travel to your hotel from here. While this make be economical it does involve schelping your luggage onto the vaporetto, and I wouldn't recomend it.

The most convenenient and most expensive option is to take a water taxi from the airport.

opps, typos, sorry, it should be..... Piazzale Roma, and then travel to your hotel from here. While this maybe more economical it....

Thanks for your responses.

I actually thought the private water taxi from the airport would be the fastest/most convenient option - if there is a shuttle that runs between the Venice airport terminal and the dock (most recent report I could find was on SlowTrav was from 2006). In that case, I understand that the dock shuttle runs every 10 mins and only 2 mins to get to the dock followed by 25 mins to get to my hotel door.

I've checked out the the Alilaguna water buses, but they are slower and won't run to my hotel door. Ideally, I'm interested in the fast, direct route - the cost is not an issue as I'm more concerned about the most convenient, stress-free plan for my parents.

The ACTV bus seems like a good back-up plan if I can pick-up a private water taxi at Piazzale Roma (if there is a water taxi counter there), but I understand that the ACTV only runs 2x per hour.

If anyone has done the airport dock shuttle or taken a private water taxi in Venice arriving later in the evening, I'd be interested in your experience.

Retiredinflorida, by "shuttles", OP means the short bus run of 1 - 2 minutes that connected the Airport Terminal and Airport boat dock. People call Alilaguna sometimes airport shuttle hence perhaps your confusion.

I took it once when it existed free of charge but it was about 5 years ago. It didn't last long and from what I understood on Venice forum on Tripadvisor.com, it has been discontinued. Now you are supposed to walk on the covered walk way for 5 minutes or so with luggage cart. You think you can do that? Most do. About the discontinuation of the shuttle bus, I am not 100% sure. Perhaps you had better post the question on trip advisor.com. There there are posters that live in Venice and that travel to Venice frequently so they might be able to give you an up-date.

Hello venturegirl, here is a website that will be of help to you. If you click around on the website you will find a wealth of information.

http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/...ater-taxis.htm

sorry, I misunderstood the question.

We walked the short distance from the airport to the docks without any problem.

I don't think the shuttle at the airport runs any more. We haven't seen it the last couple of times we have been.

Where are you staying?

Do your parents have mobility issues?

If you walk from the airport to the taxi dock, it is OK to use an airport baggage trolley. Easier than hauling your luggage on its own wheels.

Our last visit to Venice was in May and then, as in previous trips, there were two desks where you can arrange water taxi service. These desks are on the same level as you come out of the Arrivals doors. I believe you can see them as you come through those doors. We always go to the one on the left (as you are facing them) and make arrangements for the water taxi. There has always been a shuttle (van) provided to take us to the dock. Also, the driver has assisted us with getting our luggage to the dock where the water taxi is waiting. It seems to be a pretty efficient operation and worth the cost.

BarbB57, you answer seems the most practical. So in a sense, the van to the dock was included in the price you paid for the water taxi? Do you remember how much you paid.

You can easily walk for 5-7 minutes from the airport to the water taxi stop; no need to arrange extra van.

Our flight arrived around 8 in the evening. We stoped by the desk to arrange and pay for the water taxi by Credit Card 95 Euros for 4 of us, walked, gave the voucher to a driver and were on the way to Venice.

Have a great time!

kappa1, I believe the cost was about 105 or 110 Euros for 3 adults plus luggage. That included the shuttle and the water taxi which took us right to the door of our apartment. I realize it sounds pricey, but for us, making the trip across the Lagoon in the water taxi is not only a delightful part of the Venice experience, it is quite convenient as well.

Thank you all so much – this is great info (love the step-by-step pix on LoveItaly’s link!). My biggest concern was that the pier would be difficult to find…so, knowing that there is a covered walk-way to follow is hugely helpful. My parents should be able to do that walk just fine …I just know from experience that it’s best to keep things as fluid and stress-free as possible – and wandering around in the dark trying to find the pier wouldn’t have fit that criteria. :+) Thanks again for all the different tips and perspectives.

hi venturegirl,

barb is the only person I can remember who has mentioned that the shuttle to the dock still exists. [or has been resurrected]. we saw no sign of it when we used the water taxi service last easter. it may be that it is only offered by the desk that she used - we weren't offered it by the main information desk where we booked out taxi, which would be the one of the right, using her description.

so if this service is vital, definitely head for the left-hand one. it sounds as if they charge an extra €15 or so for this [we paid €95 for a water taxi for 4 at about 11pm at night] but if that's no problem for you, it woudl b ethe way to go.

incidentally, don't worry about your mum and dad wandering about in the dark - the airport and its environs are well-lit, and the walk-way is well-sigposted, flat, and covered against the rain. either way, they'll be fine.

regards, ann

> barb is the only person I can remember who has mentioned that the shuttle to the dock still exists.

Barb's is a private van provided as a part of water taxi service while OP (and I) is talking about a big public bus, that I have taken once when it existed.

€95 seems the usual going rate day or night. I saw a fairly large sign that said €95 at the dock one year ago.

kappa, do you know why the private van isn't offered to everyone who books a water -taxi?

i had heard about the defunct public service that you are talking about, but not the one Barb mentions and there was no sign or mention of it at the desk where we booked ours. seems strange that it's a matter of chance if you get offered it - use the right hand-desk, and you don't, use the left-hand one and you do. curious!

We did this in 2008. We asked at the desk mentioned above in a previous post to book the particular water taxi service suggested by our hotel. I can't remember the price but around 100 euros sounds right. We then asked about transportation to the dock and the desk called for a private van to come round and pick us up. This was extra, maybe 10 to 15 euros and I didn't think it was worth it. Unless you have serious mobility issues or tons of luggage, the walkway is fine and not that far. You are going to be walking much farther as you make your way around Venice on foot! I would not pay for the van again. I don't think that the public transport is available for this short distance.

Also, I think taking the expensive water taxi into Venice is a great treat, and I'm glad we did it once. If I ever go back to Venice I will use the public transportation into Venice from the airport, though.

I thought it was about 500m to the dock. Whether it is a short walk depends on your mobility and the amount of luggage you have to deal with.

annhig,

I believe the difference in the two desks is that it is two different companies. I know about only the one because it is the one we have been using for our last 8 trips to Venice.

venturegirl,

I don't know the age of your parents but we are in our 70's and always walk from the dock back to the airport on our return trip. I do find the luggage carts that you can rent a lot easier to use than trying to roll my luggage and carry-on.

I think everyone probably has their own favorite way to enter that beautiful city, and it really doesn't matter how you do it...water taxi, alilaguna, land taxi, or bus..whatever is the most convenient and suits your budget and finally gets you to your final destination.

I hope you have a wonderful visit with your parents!

Barb

Greetings fellow travellers!

My family and I arrive in Venice on Oct 12th. Is there a cost to the airport shuttle?

I've gotten a quote of 110 Euros for a private water taxi directly from airport to my hotel in the San Marco dock area. Is this a good rate?

Kindest regards,

mcpalafax - That seems to be the going rate for a water taxi from the airport to Venice proper.

The docks are a short walk from the main terminal at the airport. It normally takes about five to ten minutes to walk it. It relatively flat and easy going.

there used to be a shuttle bus that ran from the terminal to the dock. It has since been discontinued. Apparently a vsan service can be arranged for a fee to pick you up at the terminal and drop you at the dock for a fee.

the walk from the terminal to the dock will probably be one of the easiest ones you'll do in Venice.