Transportation in and from Venice
 

We are arriving in Venice by cruise ship and need transportation to a small hotel on a canal in San Marco area and then to the train station on departure. How expensive and available are water taxis? We will then be taking the train to Florence. Do we buy tickets in advance? How do we do that. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

It will probably cost 40-50 euros for either of the trips you describe by private water taxi. This would include all in your party of 6 or less. The taxi will get as close to your hotel as possible--check with your hotel for closest access.

You can go by public water bus for 6.50 euros each per person. You may have more or less walking to do depending on the location of your hotel.

Check train schedules and fares at the link below. This website does not allow easy use of non-Italian credit cards. I see no need to buy before you arrive in Italy, though you might buy a day or two ahead. Ask your hotel for the closest travel agency that sells tickets. There are frequent departures for your route.

http://www.ferroviedellostato.it/homepage_en.html

ellenem's advice is spot on.

Is there a vaporetto stop at the cruise port?

Depending on how long you are staying in Venice, you may want to look into passes for vaporetti.

Thank you both so very much. I don't know if there is a vaporetti stop at the cruise port. We will probably buy a pass for our time there. The directions to the hotel by vaporetti are very confusing, with lots of turns. The hotel states that a water taxi can go right to their door. With all the luggage we will have after a 20 day cruise, that might be best even though so expensive. I am concerned they will be hard to find (taxis) or a vaporetti will be difficult with our luggage.

What is your hotel?

By the way, I'll bet the port will have water taxis waiting if a cruise ship is unloading. Chances are you may find others to share your taxi to the San Marco area.

Yep, there will be water taxis. During 20 days, you very well might find someone to share a taxi with.

Don't cruises have chat boards where people can meet and plan these sorts of things?

Maybe the cruise board here at Fodor's can help. Just pull down the Forums at the top, and go to Cruises.

We considered the water taxi, but we ended up deciding it just was't worth the extra money. We took the Alilaguna, and it was very easy and convenient.

Thanks to all of you for the info. We are on a chat thread with cruise critics but have not obtained much info on transportation in port. We are staying in an apartment at Residence Corte Grimani, San Marco 4402. What is the Alilaguna?

Ailaguna is a different service from the regular vaporetto. It is an "express" boat servce, making very few stops at key locations around Venice. Linea M (Marrone) goes directly from the cruise port to the stop recommended by Residence Corte Grimani as the closest.

http://www.alilaguna.it/index.en.html

Thank you so much!