We are thinking about visiting Venice for the first time in April 2004. Any suggestions how to organize our transfer for 6 am flight to AMS? Do we need to be there two hours before departure?
Should we stay near/at the airport? Are there any hotels at the airport?

Hi wildflower,

I suggest you do a text search on this. There have been a number of postings on how to do it.

IIRC: You should stay in Venice. Your hotel can get you a water taxi or you can use the Aliliguna (sp?) boat or the traghetto. The counters at the airport don't open 'til 5.

Ira, thanks. I always do a ver extensive text search before asking any questions here. It seems that nobody had such an early flight. It is good to know I won't have to be there at 4 am.

Are you sure that you always do an extensive search?

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34412649

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34391119

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34387692

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=27292519

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=27355271

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...mp;tid=1401809

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...mp;tid=1356209

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...mp;tid=1351040

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...mp;tid=1333500

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...mp;tid=1332436

There is no need to stay near the airport. I would ask <b>the airline</b> what time you need to be at the airport. Then, I would check the latest alilaguna and/or bus from the train station schedules (they change periodically). If you're trying to save $ by avoiding a water taxi (80-90euros) you might want to consider staying near an alilaguna stop or near the train station so you can walk to the stop, if one of them will get you to the airport on time.

The alilaguna takes over an hour because it makes stops along the way. The water taxi only takes 20-30 minutes. The bus from the train station claims to take 20 minutes.

mclaurie thanks for your very useful tips.

Well, I guess I didn't look closely enough. I should say in my initial search I did not find enough information. Just last night we found acceptable air fares for April on Continental $442.30 per person including all taxes from BTV via EWR and AMS. What do you think about this price? Should we go for it?

Hi, we just returned from Italy and our Venice departure was scheduled for 7:05 am. We were staying st the Galleria horel so it was only a 10 minutes wlak from our hotel. The flight did not leave on time. We took the Alilaguna (10 euro)from the Zattere stop at the first run at 4:20 am. It arrived exactly on time. We arrived at the airport at 5:30 am. Check in was very fast and even though the security lines seemed long they moved quickly. We definately had quite a bit of time to spare. I do belive that is the earliest Alilaguna departure availability (and just for the record this Zattere does not mean the Zattere vaporetto stop. Alilaguna has there own dock, so make sure you have it. Thank God we did a dry run ahead of time)

Sorry Wildflower, I'm not familiar enough with airport codes (I know EWR for Newark &amp; I assume AMS is Amsterdam). The price sounds fair but I'm not sure about your route. Are you having to change planes twice? Is this for a 2 stop trip or are you forced to fly through Amsterdam? I believe Delta flies non-stop to Venice from JFK FYI.

I think I will also have an 7am flight from Venice Marco Polo airport to Orly...was planning to take the bus from Piazzale Roma (I think...) - Has anyone actually taken the bus to the airport in the early morning? The posts I've seen are usually by Aliliguna or water taxi...TIA!

Check www.atvo.it for bus schedules from Piazzale Rome to Marco Polo Airport.