Where can I find a schedule for busses and Vaporettos? We are considering staying at the Hotel Marco Polo on the main land and we don't want to get 'stuck' on either the main land or island without acces to public transport.

Where exactly is the Hotel Marco Polo located, Lanee? Is it in Mestre?

Well I just reread the title of your thread and the hotel is obviously in Mestre, sorry! Is it near the Mestre train station? If so take the train from Mestre to the Santa Lucia train station which is along the Grand Canal in Venice proper. It is just a ten minute plus train ride.

But, why do you chose to stay at a hotel in Mestre versus a hotel or some kind of lodging in Venice?

If you want to see Venice, then you should stay in Venice.

Shop around if initial rpicing has you spooked.

www.venere.com for hotels

www.veniceapartments.org

www.viewsonvenice.com

for apartments

Hotel Marco Polo is along the road near the airport. It's not right in the town of Mestre, so trains are not an option. Local buses that travel along that road, including the one that goes from Marco Polo Airport to Piazzale Roma, will stop there. If you are very late, you can take a vaporetto to Piazzale Roma and a land taxi from there to Hotel Marco Polo.

If I were staying in Venice to visit Venice, I would choose my lodging in this order:

1-Any hotel in Venice proper
2-Any hotel on Venice Lido
3-Hotel in Venice Mestre very near the train station
4-Anyplace else (includes Hotel Marco Polo)

I agree with Ellen--stay in Venice--or at least the Lido.
Look at Hotel Riva.

I've done both Mestre and Venice and I would not even consider staying in Mestre again. Please look into Venice or Lido hotels.

It’s horrible to come on here and tip a bucket on someone’s choice of hotels – could be that they have chosen the hotel based on points or cost.

BUT, if it as all possible, do stay in Venice proper – which means the lagoon. It is a completely different experience, being able to enjoy the quiet and the sound of footsteps passing your window versus the roar of cars and motor scooters. It’s worth finding some extra money for this.

It was definitely chosen based on price. We will only be in Venice for one night. The only affordable place I saw that wasn't completely frightening was in someone's attic next to a fish market where you have to walk thru the owner's living room to get to your own room. I'll keep looking. thanks for the input!

I found a place! YAY!!! Thanks for all the input.

Lanee,

I know you've solved your problem, but I'll chime in anyway.

We just got back from a long trip in Italy, and our 3rd visit to Venice. We chose to stay near Mestre this time, and are so glad we did so. We stayed at a place called Vanessa House which is in a very pretty upscale suburb. Our accommodations were unexpectedly lovely, the hosts charming and helpful. They drove us to the Mestre train station every morning for the 1Euro, 1-stop train into Venice, and picked us up every evening when we were done. We'd do it again in a heartbeat and could not have been happier there. One of the best bathrooms of the trip, and largest room of the trip.
www.vanessahouse.it

That being said, if someone were going to Venice for the first time, I'd recommend staying in Venice proper. Being there in the evening is an experience equal to being there in the first place!

So I don't think it's a given that staying in Venice is the only good option, especially if you've been there multiple times.

I hope you love Venice!

LisaG

In most cities, the fish market is not a tourist attraction. I recollect seeing the open air fish market in Dubai – “You want flies with that?”

But the fish market in Venice is really worth a visit – go as early as you can – 6:00 AM works well when the fish is being unloaded and the stalls being set up. It’s fun – almost like visiting an exotic aquarium. The produce market right beside the fish market is great, too. It is close to the Rialto bridge.