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I think the confusion (if that's the right word) began with the vision (in some minds) of a couple arriving with 3-4 pieces of luggage each and then continued as many replies debated the difficulties of getting to a hotel with a large amount of baggage, the bridges, the ramps, etc. It turns out the OP was really only needing to know the options of getting to a hotel (which hasn't even been selected yet) with a normal amount of luggage. I don't call it nitpicking but rather different interpretations of the original query.
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Originally Posted by Jean
(Post 17028168)
. . . I don't call it nitpicking but rather different interpretations of the original query.
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I suppose I’m nitpicking but, perhaps, some clarity on part of the OP would’ve have prevented the various assumptions. |
Arriving in Venice. Three modes of arrival, being Air, to Marco Polo, and then bus or water transport to Venice. Train, to Venezia Santa Lucia / Venezia SL. This is the station in Venice, on the Grand Canal. Land, bus or car, arriving at Piazle Roma, the furthest point that land vehicles can get to in Venice. A bit of preparation. Print out at least a portion of the map showing the location of your hotel. Make sure you have the full address, like Calle Lunga San Barnaba 3212 Dorsoduro, or Campo San Pantalon 3456 Santa Croce, not just San Marco 2123. Buy a paper map of Venice at the first available opportunity; news stands and tabacs sell maps, about 3 euro. Download the app Che Bateo (which boat). The app links to the vaporetto timetables, so plug in departure and arrival and the app gives you times and durations. Marco Polo to Venice. 1. Alilaguna ferry. Not recommended, queue can be long, the boat is slow, not much of a view from the salt encrusted windows. Limited number of stops in Venice. 2. Water taxi. About 110 euro, can take you just about anywhere in Venice. If your hotel has a water gate, you can be dropped there, otherwise as close as they can get beside a canal. 3. Shared water taxi, 25 euro per passenger, you have to book for two. Will drop you at any hotel on the Grand Canal or any water bus (vaporetto stop) on the Grand Canal. 4. ACTV bus. Costs 8 euro, runs from Marco Polo to P. Roma. This is a commuter bus, makes a few stops, takes 25 minutes, your luggage is on board. Runs every 20 minutes. There are not infrequent reports of pick pockets on this bus. 5. ATVO bus, 8 euro, takes 25 minutes, is like a tour coach, nice seats, luggage is underneath, also goes to P. Roma. I have used this the last five visits, so recommend. Vending machine for tickets just outside arrivals. Arriving by train. The station is right on the Grand Canal, platforms at ground level, a ramp for wheeled bags both left and righto as you exit. To your left as you exit is the Keep Calm baggage store if you want to leave heavy luggage. “Downtown” is to your left, P. Roma to your right across the Calatrave bridge. The vaporetto ticket office is right in front. A single ride costs 7.50 euro, there are passes for 24, 48 and 72 hours and these are good value. No point buying these online, just get the pass at the ticket point. The validity starts when you first use it, not when you buy it. You must swipe the pass over the reader EVERY time you use it. From the station to your hotel, either walk or vaporetto. Even with luggage, vaps are not hard to board, as the deck is level or maybe a foot below the pontoon. Wearing a back pack on board is frowned on. As you pass down the Grand Canal, the stops will (mostly) be announced. “Prossima fermata Ca’ Rezzonico. Nexta stoppa Ca’Rezzonico.” There are vap maps and timetables at every stop. If you walk from the station to your hotel, the bridges on the station side (Cannaregio, San Marco and Castello) are not too hard along the main drag, the Strada Nova / Lista Terre di Spagna. If your hotel is near P. Roma, cross the Calatrava bridge. The Calatrava is most elegant, otherwise a crap design as many people have tripped and fallen on the bridge. I have not so fond memories of carting half a dozen Billy bookcases across the bridge, helping a friend. Arriving by car. You can drive as far as P. Roma, where there is expensive parking, also car hire places. From there, you are on foot or vap. We almost always stay in Dorsoduro. Less crowded than San Marco, and more lively than the northern parts of Cannaregio. Also more accessible by vaps on both the Grand and Giudecca canals, hence fewer bridges. |
I believe Starrs was referring to the long post on travelers with disabilities
Why would they be referring to that thread? And how would I have known it? |
Originally Posted by Trophywife007
(Post 17028111)
I believe Starrs was referring to the long post on travelers with disabilities which I don't think applies to the OP, or at least they haven't mentioned anything specific. fwiw.
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Originally Posted by Peter_S_Aus
(Post 17028203)
We almost always stay in Dorsoduro. Less crowded than San Marco, and more lively than the northern parts of Cannaregio. Also more accessible by vaps on both the Grand and Giudecca canals, hence fewer bridges. I planned to stay in goddesstogo's favorite hotel but it was booked so looked for another Grand Canal view hotel/ room. Loved the convenience Peter describes. |
KJA wrote at Post #32,
This is not to say that being elderly is a disability, it does mean that extra care will be evident. An extra hand helping an older woman with her shopping trolley onto the Mercato traghetto, a normally impatient marinaro on a vap being just a bit less hurried. |
Originally Posted by Peter_S_Aus
(Post 17028298)
I think I have a pretty fair idea as to how easy it is to get around for able bodied people, and how it can be pretty difficult for the elderly and/or frail.
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Peter's summary of how to arrive in Venice is excellent, but I disagree on one point.
The Alilaguna ferry is a good option, depending on where you might be staying. Certainly for those staying in Dorsoduro, it is faster to take the land bus and vaporetto since the Alilaguna ferry must travel all the way around the main island. But for other locations such as Fond Nove or San Stae, the Alilaguna might be quicker than land bus plus vaporetto. For some routes, Alilaguna has added more frequent service than when it first began, eliminating some of the long waits. Sorry, I have spent only about 90 nights in Venice since 1983. |
Originally Posted by suze
(Post 17028256)
I believe Starrs was referring to the long post on travelers with disabilities
Why would they be referring to that thread? And how would I have known it? |
Originally Posted by ellenem
(Post 17028321)
Peter's summary of how to arrive in Venice is excellent, but I disagree on one point.
The Alilaguna ferry is a good option, depending on where you might be staying. Certainly for those staying in Dorsoduro, it is faster to take the land bus and vaporetto since the Alilaguna ferry must travel all the way around the main island. But for other locations such as Fond Nove or San Stae, the Alilaguna might be quicker than land bus plus vaporetto. For some routes, Alilaguna has added more frequent service than when it first began, eliminating some of the long waits. I thought I looked it up on one site or used an app but maybe I cross-referenced. |
Originally Posted by Leely2
(Post 17028329)
Is it ACTV or another site or app that shows you the fastest way to get to your destination? Two years ago I arrived from Marco Polo and was staying in Dorsoduro near the Guggenheim. The quickest/easiest way for me to get there was ATVO bus from airport to Piazzale Roma and then get on a vaporetto. This year I was staying in Castello and it was fastest to take the Alilaguna to Ospedale.
I thought I looked it up on one site or used an app but maybe I cross-referenced. |
Rome2Rio often doesn't have all the options listed.
Why not check with your hotel or apartment? They likely have the best local information on how to get there. Hotel websites usually list how to get there. Some will email directions to guests. |
Depending on where one is staying the Alilaguna can be the best option (unless one wants to spring for a water taxi.)
leely, maybe this is the app? AVM Venezia official APP | ACTV |
Originally Posted by rialtogrl
(Post 17028420)
Depending on where one is staying the Alilaguna can be the best option (unless one wants to spring for a water taxi.)
leely, maybe this is the app? AVM Venezia official APP | ACTV |
Peter, I know it is a different operator. There is a transport app that has both. I don’t use it but I know it is out there.
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Thanks trophywife. So just one poster commenting on another person's contribution. Neither to do with the OP. Got it -lol.
And yes for the OP I'd just ask the hotel if you aren't familiar with the closest vaporetto stop or want to know if a water taxi is an option and costs. |
Wow y'all - this is intense, helpful and a lot to integrate. Just some clarity. We are in our 60's so not the energy we once had to bounce up and down stairs. While we are not technically "disabled" my husband was diagnosed a year ago with a degenerative neurological disorder. Normally he is fine, but every once in a while he gets wooozy and unstable on his feet and disoriented. This most often happens when he is tired, or has been exerting himself physically (moving mulch, driving all day, volunteering on his feet a lot), so the issue of how far to walk, climbing bridges, stairs etc is actually very relevant as it would be a shame to get to Venice and then need to spend the next two days in our hotel room. And the traveling to get there is always tiring, even short stints.
Peter_s_Aus - thank you for the very complete info. I will print out and use it to figure this all out. I did find one hotel - expensive but not horribly so - called San Clemente Island Kempinski - that is on its own island and has its own dock. Opinions? and having said all that, I notice so many familiar names on this thread, people who have helped me plan trips from Paris to Thailand over the last 15 years so I just want to give a shout out to the wonderfully supportive Fodors gang: St. Cirq, Mme Perdu, , KJA and HappyTrvlr. I hope I've paid it forward here and there. and thanks to those of you I don't know yet. Learning a new country is a process, but half the fun IMHO |
Nice of you to give us a shout out, lauramsgarden. :) Sending your husband (and you!) best wishes and hoping you got the info you needed.
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I would avoid the San Clemente Kampinski. It is located on a small island in the lagoon, and so means that you are a bit constrained, in that you can’t just step out the door. You have to take water transport wherever you go. |
So, it sounds like a hotel with an elevator and booking a water taxi is in order. We don't know when you're traveling or what your budget is but booking.com might be a good place for you to start. If you have any hotel points to use, that might be a consideration, too.
Perhaps you can pace yourselves when walking and avoid walking across Academia bridge... I don't know if Rialto would be too taxing... but you will figure it out and have a glorious time, I'm sure! |
I love Hotel al Ponte Mocenigo and it is very popular with others on Fodors:
https://www.alpontemocenigo.com It is a one-minute walk from the San Stae vaporetto--no bridges. It is in a quiet area but close to many things. No elevator, but there are rooms on the ground floor or just one flight up. I love that it is a smaller hotel, charming but not fancy. And it is at 120 cm above sea level so avoids the majority of acqua alta. |
A tip for choosing the location of a hotel in Venice - use Google Earth to follow the route (and check out those little bridges. They are the challenge.) and also check YouTube videos. We arrived by train (highly recommend) and couldn't decide whether to cross the bridge in front of the station (Ponti degli Scalzi) which was a shorter walk to the hotel or take the vaporetto one stop and walk a little more. After watching several YouTube videos of people struggling with their luggage up the (many) steps, we opted for the vaporetto. We also bought a transportation card for the 3 days we were there and hopped on and off the vaporettos.
In Venice it's worth doing the due diligence. By the way we travelled with one 24 inch and one 20 inch. Make sure the wheels are in good shape! I don't know what the situation is in Venice now because of the flooding but we loved every minute there! |
Originally Posted by Taltul
(Post 17029083)
After watching several YouTube videos of people struggling with their luggage up the (many) steps, we opted for the vaporetto. We also bought a transportation card for the 3 days we were there and hopped on and off the vaporettos.
In Venice it's worth doing the due diligence. By the way we travelled with one 24 inch and one 20 inch. Make sure the wheels are in good shape! ! The vaporetto stops were just outside the hotel door (going in one direction) and a short walk for the other direction. VERY easy. Flat surfaces. Easy to get on and off. Perfect for transportation from the train station, to San Marco, etc. My friend found a fabulous water taxi tour with appetizers and prosecco and we took that tour on our first night. It was the perfect way to see the city from the water. Too true about the rolling suitcases. For some stupid reason, I struggled with a suitcase whose wheels were being stubborn. I should have bought a new suitcase before the trip instead of watiing until after. Easy rolling suitcases make a HUGE difference. |
To recap, the OP posted a question that asked for some general information.
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I think it is time for this horse to be taken to the knackers. |
It is an important point but if the OP doesn't mention access for mobility issues I don't know how anyone can be expected to address it. It also would be helpful to reference it in the title so anyone doing a search could be alerted there was helpful information.
Many of us don't keep track of all the threads a poster has participated in. For example, some people here seem to know where the OP has lodging but others of us have no indication of it. We are not clairvoyant. If we don't have all the pertinent information, our answers won't be as helpful as they might otherwise be. I hope the OP is able to access the services they need and have a great trip. |
@ Trophywife: The point is that people might not wish to acknowledge limitations, and there's no reason why they should! *** WE . DO . NOT . NEED . TO . KNOW *** !!! We can be sensitive to the needs of those with limitations by simply presenting honest, reasonable answers to generic questions. Instead of saying, "no problem," say what might or might not be a problem. greg and others did it. Easy peasy.
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There is a well known saying in Australian politics, “the dogs keep barking, but the caravan moves on”. Or this from Paolo Sarpi, Venetian philosopher, “I never, ever, tell a lie. But the truth, not to everyone”. |
Some other worthy lines:
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And some people have WAY too much time on their hands...
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I wold suggest picking a hotel near a dock with a water taxi as transportation. That is what we did and it worked out great.
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Arriving in Venice, per a 2010 trip report. We Emirated our way across the globe, fetching up at about 45deg 15m N, 12deg 19m E, in Venice, arriving in real style per taxi, threading our way through the Rio di Santa Giustina (sound horn at the intersection with the Rio di San Francesco), the Rio di San Lorenzo which gives a good view of crumbling foundations, and the Rio dei Greci. And then that complete knock out sight, as we entered the Grand Canal, Ducal Palace and the Campanile to starboard, and the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute to port. There’s a line in “Wind in the Willows” – “There’s nothing so worthwhile as simply messing about in boats”, and Venice has taken this to heart. The Grand Canal is full of people simply messing about in boats. Gondolas, police boats, workboats, ambulances, waterbuses, water taxis, the lot. Upstream under the temporary bridge with traffic lights erected across the Grand Canal to the Salute for the 21st November festival, and disembark at the Ca’ Rezzonico. I can’t really claim to have returned like Marco Polo, if for no other reason that we lacked his cargo of silks and spices, but it did feel pretty special. Stroll down Calle Lunga with no bridges to cross, nice as we are travelling pretty heavy, and we’ve arrived. Same place as last time, up a tight spiral staircase, and we’re here. We (that’s Lou and I) came here for eight weeks in late December 2008 , so we sort of know Venice, or we like to think that we know Venice about as well as non-Venetians can. We’ve brought Lou’s mother with us, a sprightly lass, of eighty or so, and it’s her first real visit to Venice. |
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