davidman820

Hi All

We are arriving on our honeymoon in Venice at The Venice Airport (Marco Polo). What's the best way to get from the airport to the city, and how do to it?

Thanks (16 days to go!)

Lesli

This question gets asked a lot. And yet the info is in any guidebook, or in the destinations section here.

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...ur_section=tra

I usually take the ATVO bus and then a vaporetto, if necessary. May do the Alilaguna this next trip.

The "best" way is via water taxi, but that's not in my budget.

ira

Hi D,

The fastest way is by water taxi, about 80E, for the boat, not per person.

rex

For a question that gets asked so often, it's interesting that finding a good (previous) answer took me a bit of looking (and I already knew precisely where and how to look - - just search "alilaguna&quot.

Here's one:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34691259

I am impressed by the comprehensive nature of the info on the Fodors miniguides URL listed above (I had nver read it before) - - but it's a LOT of text to comb through for the overview that the OP needs.

At the risk of repeating what is well summarized in the thread I already cited, there are four options, and the choice rests on time, money and "wow factor".

1. Land (plus walk and "final mile" by 2, 3 or 4) - - bus (cheapest) or (4-wheel) taxi.

2. Vaporetto (plus walk, for some hotels).

3. Alilaguna (plus walk, for some hotels) - - while I have never used this, it stll looks to be the "sweet spot" (combination of bargain, convenience and pleasant) for many travelers.

4. Water taxi - - still the equivalent of a "limo" in Venice, and the highest priced.

Whatever your decision, congratulations on your new life in marriage... and...

Best wishes,

Rex

Henda

The number 5 bus will drop you at piazzale Roma. It costs about €5.

rex

David writes (by private e-mail) back to me to ask which has the greatest "wow" factor - - as I have never taken a water taxi FROM the airport (only from the train station, or from hotel TO the airport), I will ask others to answer...

...but it has to be water taxi, right?

Would any water taxi NOT travel via the Grand Canal? (I realize that the answer depends on what is the destination hotel - - crossing my fingers that you are NOT choosing Mestre nor the Lido for your honeymoon)...

MFNYC

The water taxi is right outside the airport doors.

I have to admit, when we flew into Venice (family of 4) we were exhausted from a long and primarily sleepless redeye. EVeryone was tired, cranky and hungry. Then we stepped into the water taxi. Everyone woke up, took the cameras out and enjoyed every second of that ride. At the time we did it,it was more like $50 and worth every penny.

rex

<< we were exhausted from a long and primarily sleepless redeye. EVeryone was tired, cranky and hungry. >>

Not to splash cold water on the plans of david and new bride... but this is why I recommend NOT flying into Venice. Venice is "too good" to give it that first (partly) miserable day. Spend that somewhere else.

<< Then we stepped into the water taxi. Everyone woke up, took the cameras out and enjoyed every second of that ride. >>

But this is why others say that I am wrong...

carylspall

Just a word of warning to you when youre in Venice. When we were wandering around St Marks Square-near the water -a well dressed gentleman came up to us and asked if we wanted to go and see how the glass was made. "No" we all said ( there were 4 of us) and he said it wasnt a trick. He worked for the government and this was a special trip they were doing for this week only. A free water taxi would take us across to the place and take us back. He talked us into it and off we went.It was the first and last taxi we took as they are so expensive.We arrived at this place and were welcolmed and followed around by some fellow. We were advised to give money to the glass blower who we watched for 5 or 10 mins and then the next person who did something else needed some cash..... Then it was shop time!!! They really expected us to part with some serious cash. I really didnt want a 500 euro chandalier. We said no thank you (given dirty looks by the guy following us round)and made our escape. Except we then had to figure out how to get back to the centre.Several bridges later..... Missed our morning cappucinno over that!And wasted a whole morning.Lesson learned.
I warned my brother and his wife before they went to Venice and they were glad I did because a well dressed gent gave them the same patter!

rex

There are numerous threads about these <i>free</i> motorboat trips/tours <i>to</i> Murano. And they are indeed free, and you will get to see some (not a lot, but still interesting) glassblowing.

And nothing comes for free. They ARE there to get you to buy stuff. You will be led around in a maze, and wonder where the exit is.

And yes, you will have to get your own ride back (ordinary vaporetto rides work just fine).

But it IS free. And if you have the right stomach for it, you need not buy a thing. Just go eyes wide open.

It's a pretty cool, and free, motorboat ride across the lagoon to get to Murano.

MFNYC

As far as Murano, we took the vaporetto. We wandered aruond asking people where we can find some glass blowing. We were directed at some off the beaten path little show. There were a few glass blowers at work. 1 making little touristy animals (which took him moments to do), and 3 others working together on an elaborate chandelier. The 3 looked as if they were almost choreographed. It was mesmorizing to watch. And yes, we (at my kids' request) did buy some of those silly touristy glass animals. At least we knew where they came from. We also had a delightful lunch (and much cheaper than most venice places) while on the island.

MFNYC

oops...that should read 'off the beaten path little SHOP' not SHOW.

enzian

For a honeymoon, the best choice would be the water taxi, assuming they don't mind the additional cost. Next best, in my view, is the Alilaguna (about 10 euro each). I am one who follows the rule that Venice is best approached from the water---so the other options are out.

Depending on where their hotel is, I would think they could get a ride right down the Grand Canal by asking---maybe with an explanation that it their honeymoon. After all this is Italy---land of romance.

davidman820

Thanks for all your help. We are staying in a hotel on The Grand Canal.

This is the first trip to Venice for the both or us, and my wife's first trip to Europe.

USAir has a direct Philly-Venice flight. Much easier to have a lay over in Philadelphia for a few hours than to fly six hours to London or Paris and then lay over and connect to Venice.

LoveItaly

Hello davidman, I have arrived in Venice by several methods including by car and parking at the Piazzale Roma, by train etc. I can assure you that arriving in Venice by a private water taxi is indeed the most beautiful and spectacular way to arrive at your hotel in Venice as Rex indicated. But the water taxi's have gotten so much more expensive, especially with the weak US dollar compared to the euro.

I have no idea what your budget is but in that you will be on your honeymoon IF you can afford the private taxi I would hire one of them. If not, do know no matter how you arrive in Venice you will feel the WOW factor I am sure. Venice is so beautiful as you no doubt will find out.

My best wishes to you two on your upcoming wedding and your honeymoon in Italy also. May you have a joyous, healthy and long life together.

rex

&lt;&lt; USAir has a direct Philly-Venice flight. Much easier to have a lay over in Philadelphia for a few hours than to fly six hours to London or Paris and then lay over and connect to Venice. &gt;&gt;

David...

...while no one will take issue with your looking at it this way, some will (respectfully, one hopes) disagree with you.

If there is a problem with your PHL connection, you are stuck in Philadelphia (a perfectly fine place for honeymooers... don't get me wrong...)

But if you connect in Europe and have a problem with your connection... well, at least you are <i>in Europe</i>... and many of us would rather be hung up for a day in Europe than in the US. Of course, th flip side of that is if you are hung up for six or eight or twelve hours in an airport in Europe... sleep-deprived, and out of your element... and just the wrong length of time to actually do anything with it.

Mostly, I have had (missed) connections work in my favor on the return - - where an airline has provided me with lodging, meal reimbursement, and shuttle coverage... for say... an unplanned night in Paris, which I would have not otherwise had.

rex

topping for poysine...