Venice ground transportation expert-help please?
 

My family is converging at Marco Polo for several days pre-cruise to Greece. I am going crazy trying to decide the most economical/practical form of transport for the 6 of us (all adults) with all the various combos of ACTV, water taxi, Alilaguna, etc.! I have decided to book a water taxi from the airport directly to our hotel in Venice as my mother has some difficulty walking long distances and it is not much more expensive than purchasing the transfers for 6 people individually. However, I would really appreciate advice on the best mode of transport or package which I should purchase for the following:

1. Evening of arrival: vaporetto around Grand Canal
2. Afternoon of day 2: roundtrip to Murano to tour glass factory
3. Morning of day 3: hotel to cruise terminal

We will also need transfers from the cruise terminal to the airport but not until a week later.

Thanks so much for your help!

For ease and convenience, I suggest you simply get 3-day vapoiretto passes. Have someone in your group get all six of them at the airport arrivals hall before you all head to your water taxi.

It will cover items #1, #2, and #3 in your list and can also be used to get around on the morning and evening of Day 2. It also allows free use of the Traghetti in addition to the Vaporetti.

I suggest a regular land taxi to get you all back to the airport after your cruise.

the vaporetto are just like a bus you get on and pay your fare no need to purchase in advance same with Murano.

I thought the cruise terminal was right in venice center, unless you need to take the regular vaporetto you just walk to it depending on where your hotel is. Some hotels have porters with carts to carry your luggage. Check with hotel

Venice has more than one cruise terminal. And none are adjacent to San Marco.

I too recommend purchasing a 3-day vaporetto pass. The pass works out to be cheaper than individual tickets. Also, some of the vaporetto stops don't have ticket machines, which can be a problem if you board anyway and are asked for your ticket.

Unless your hotel is very close to the cruise terminals, I would not want to walk, trailing all my luggage. For 6 of you, I think it would be a good idea to take a water taxi again. Otherwise, you could use the vaporetto.

The cruise terminals are on the "end" of Venice near Piazzale Roma. You should be able to get a taxi from there.

Vapporeto is NOT cheap...as suggested, best to get a pass, but if you are not staying 3 full days and moving around a lot, it may not be for you.
We bought 12 hour passes - 16 euros each ( unlimited use.)
Vapporeto can be very crowded , some older people may have a hard time getting off and on.

It would help if you tell us where exactly your hotel is - a lot depends on that.

Re "the vaporetto are just like a bus you get on and pay your fare no need to purchase in advance same with Murano."

True, you don't *need* to buy tickets in advance, but it's usually *much* more expensive to buy single tickets on board (E7 each time) than to buy any combination of 12/24/36/48/72 hour passes. *However*, in your case, if these are really the only vaporetto trips your party is going to take, singles may be more cost-effective. For example, a 12 hour pass is now E18 so you'd need to take at least 3 single trips in that timeframe to justify it.

*But* - are those really the only places you'll go? Are you not going to get off the vaporetto and see anywhere in central Venice - just Murano? If your mother can't walk far, what is she going to do the rest of day 2? Are you not going to get off the vaporetto and see anywhere in central Venice - just Murano? Normally I'd say with such a short time, you can walk everywhere - but evidently your mother can't. And with such a short time I would not make Murano the focus of your one full day - I'd say it doesn't need to be done until at least day 8.

Re the day 1 "vaporetto around Grand Canal" idea. The no. 1 & no. 2 vaporetti both run the length of the Grand Canal. Presumably you'll want to go from your hotel to the terminus at one end & back again - which will involve at least 2 single tickets (although a single is valid for 75 minutes, you can't use it for a return journey). If you are starting halfway down the Grand Canal and want to see it all, that's 3 tickets - e.g. from halfway up to Piazzale Roma, all the way down to San Marco, back up to starting point. And if your hotel isn't on the Grand Canal, maybe a different vaporetto to get there in the first place. (Bear in mind that this is the everyday public transport system, its not a pleasure cruise for tourists!)

Also, you'll need the instructions from your cruise company as to where exactly you need to check in and whether any transportation is available. (They may offer a shuttle but possibly only for fulltime wheelchair users + 1 companion.) The area where cruise ships dock is a bit spread out, on the western edge of Venice proper and there is more than one entry point to the restricted area. For example, should you access it on foot via the old Stazione Marittima near the San Basilio vaporetto stop, on foot from the Santa Marta vaporetto stop, or possibly via shuttle from Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto? You need to know that before anyone can advise on how to get there.

The OP seems to have disappeared but a P.S. in case it helps anyone else considering the advice to get a 72 hour ticket - I've just checked & these are currently E35, so you'd need to take more than 5 single journeys to make it worthwhile. And bardo1, vaporetto passes *don't* cover the traghetti.

While the vapporetto is "not a pleasure cruise for tourists" it is a great way to get around and has great views of Venice. If you plan to be in the city for 72 hours or so, the 72 hour pass is the way to go.

A question from one who always took the Vap--how is getting into a water taxi for someone with walking problems?? Vap was one level on entry if I remember correctly. Looked like steps down to the wt.

That many folks can hop the bus at airport. Let the older folks take a regular taxi. They can all meet at P. Roma and take vap to hotel (unless hotel will meet them somewhere).

A word of warning - Venice is a tough city for someone with walking problems. I just returned and stupidly did not realize that with the 100+ canals, when one walks around they must get over the canals - and that always involves a walking bridge. That means 8-10 steps up and the same down, often on uneven steps and rarely with a handrail. Streets are irregularly surfaced. And because no cars are allowed in the tourist part of the city, if one is tired, you can not just hop in a cab. We observed an elderly woman trying to get out of the water taxi at her hotel - climb up 2 steps, haul luggage, and walk on a narrow walkway along the canal.

Gail, that's why a vaporetto pass is essential. You can minimise bridges and walking distances by carefully looking at the vaporetto stops.

Didn't the taxi crew help the woman with her luggage? I have never taken a water taxi or a gondola come to that!

Depending on the time of year, the vaporetto down the Grand Canal can be extremely crowded. It would be hard for 5 people to get on and stay together. And difficult for some one who can't walk well. OTOH, it is a flat entry (on the Grand Canal at least, not on the more peripheral boats) and the views are mind-blowing.

How about renting a gondola? You could get your own private tour.

Just back from Venezia (8 days in an apartment) and my wife and I probably spent as much time on vaporetto strategies than on restaurant recommendations. I'm with Caroline - Edinburgh if I read her correctly. Don't jump into a 72 hour pass unless you're going to be on the vap at night etc. REALLY think through your day-to-day itinerary. The #1 or #2 from P. Roma to San Marco on the Grand Canal is a must. BUT most of the time, you'll be walking unless your destinations are very, very close to the vap stops. And as Mimar points out, in the middle of the day, #1 and #2 are about as much fun as the Lexington Ave express at rush hour. So, if it's for the sightseeing, go early or late.
And here's a tip for Murano. If you can get to P. Roma, take the #3 from there to Murano. You'll more likely get a seat, even a good one. By the time the #3 gets to Ferrovia, it's full and Murano's a long ride standing. And with a one day 12 hour pass, return from Murano to Fondamenta Nouva and take the #4.2 for a nice long ride around Venice, through the Guidecca Canal and back to P. Roma where you can change to the #1 or #2 to take you down the Grand Canal.

Can the multi hour vaporetto passes be combined with transportation to & from Marco Polo? The Vaportto is run by ACTV which also runs buses to and from the aiport.

Not any more - you have to buy a separate bus ticket at E5/6 (has either just gone up or is just about to).

Extra note for anyone arriving or leaving on Friday - there's supposed to be a general strike.

Water taxi is not good for someone with walking or balance issues. Unlike the Vaporetto it is not level with the street. If it pulls up at a dock with steps you can usually step up onto the side of the boat and then across to the step of the dock - which will usually have a handrail on one side, but may be slippery. But you generally have to step down from the street to the side of the boat and then down into the boat. the driver will take you luggage and help you up and down.

The vaporetto is even with the dock - but you may have to step (and haul your luggage) across some distance of water in between. And there is no one to help you - except companions - with the step or with your luggage. And in high season it can be very crowded - definitely SRO with people leaning or sitting on their luggage.