I have read in an older thread on this forum that parking at the Piazzale Roma is much more convenient than at Tronchetto--especially if you have luggage to take to the hotel. Is this true? It says on the www.urbislimen.net site that the cost per day at Piazzale Roma is E18.50 per day. You can also make an advance reservation. Is Tronchetto much less expensive than that? If it's a difference of just a few dollars per day, I would prefer the convenience. Does anyone have this information?

We were in Venice a couple weeks ago and found that parking in Mestre (the commercial/industrial Venezia) was convenient, safe, and far cheaper than the old town Venezia options. There is a secure garage across from the Mestre train station that charges 5 Euros per day and is manned 24 hours. We consolidated our luggage and brought just one of our suitcases filled with what we needed for Venice. We took the 5 minute train into old town Venice and hopped the water bus (valprotto) to our hotel near the Rialto. I thought it would be a hectic transition but it went very smoothly. I would definitely do this again.

I second the suggestion above. We did that last month and it worked out great. I had heard that the causeway can sometimes be jammed making driving over a long unpleasant trip compared to the train. (we were there in July and could see the causeway from the train, cars were moving pretty good). Have also heard that Piazzale Roma is usually full in the summer. If you are going at another time you might get a spot. However, our hotel clerk told us that actually summer in Venice is less crowded than what most people think of as shoulder seasons. Our only problem with Mestre was finding the right exit off the highway, there didn't seem to be any signs directing you to the train station as I had expected. We were coming from the north and the correct exit was about the second to last one in Mestre. You could see train tracks from the highway so that's why we picked that exit and it was right. We parked in a five story garage for 4,50 euro a day. The train is across the street, costs less than 2 euros round trip, takes five minutes. The train station in Venice is directly on the grand canal, in front of a vaparetto stop.

Tronchetto will be 25% less expensive (my best guess), and I would call it about 1% less convenient. While Mestre - - it's true - - will be 60% less expensive, I would call it 60% less convenient also. This is the "high cost" (high TIME cost) of getting in and out of Venice. It's so interesting, especially for the first time (and not that many travelers from America have a second time), that you put up with it.<BR><BR>But just to clarify, to park in Mestre - - you have a SLIGHTLY more difficult drive (to find which garage you want to use, and there are a dozen or more, all priced in direct proportion to their proximity to the train station), then walk with your luggage, then on the train, then off the train, then walk (a little more), then on a boat (vaporetto cheapest, water taxi MUCH, much more), then off the boat, and probably walk some more (maybe not with water taxi). five minutes here, five minutes there - - the next thing you know it's been two hours from the time you left the highway until you are at your hotel's front desk.<BR><BR>I am not trying to talk you out of Venice, nor parking any specific place. But it might be worth your while to just turn in the car, and rent a new one when you leave. That would be at Piazzale Roma for most car rental companies.<BR><BR>And hopefully, you are allowing yourself a minimum of two FULL days to go to Venice (one overnight is an acceptable minimum, if you arrive early one day and leave late the next day).<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

We also parked our car across the street from the Mastre train station. Much easier and trains go into and out of venice every 10-15 minutes. Cost is about 80 cents. <BR>We also consolidated clothing into one suitcase before going to Venice.

Agree with posters who suggest parking in the 24-hour manned multi-story parking garage (at less than 5 euros a day) across the street from the Mestre train station. Train service to Venice is frequent, cheap & quick.<BR>(Alongside the parking garage is a large hotel - Hotel Tritone- which offers decent sized rooms at competitive rates)

up<BR>

Rex,<BR>You're all wet on this issue.<BR>If I rationalized like you, I'd probably not even leave the states.<BR>First of all, there is no hunting for the parking lot across the street from the train station. It's called Brega Piazzale Stazione 23; Tele:+39 041926478<BR>How easier can it get? It is a lot easier getting from the Venice train station to your hotel than from their parking lots.

Not sure why the angry tone, Park - - nor why post anonymously...<BR><BR>My main point was that Tronchetto is hardly any more inconvenient than Piazzale Roma. and I stand by the point that loading luggage onto the train and off the train roughly doubles the "shlepping". There is plenty enough shlepping to do.<BR><BR>I have parked in Mestre once (for about four hours - - we had stopped and had lunch there and checked out a few hotels). There are options, and they are different in price. I'm glad yo gave this very useful about this one closest one (probably not the cheapest, as a corollary).<BR><BR>And I also stand by my point that it's important to know how much time this car is going to sit parked - - and where going after leaving Venice. If it's less than 24 hours, then pity - - not enough time in Venice. If it's more than 24 hours, them it might be worthwile to just turn it in. There isn't just the cost of parking - - there's also the cost of car rental for nothing.<BR>

One other point, we parked at tronchetto which was very convenient and nice for access after a long drive. The little hotel we stayed at also gave us a coupon for a discount on the garage. We also had a long drive the day we left and with parking there probably saved us 1/2 hour, depending on when you time the trains.

Rex,<BR>The price to park here is 4.5 Euros per 24hr. Much cheaper than $15 to $20 per nite.

Thank you all for the information, although I am still having a problem making a decision. <BR><BR>We decided not to turn the car in because it really didn't save us any money. Auto Europe's price was the same for 5, 7, or 10 days. I also thought it would be easier not to have to do paperwork again. We will be parking the car for three days--but wanted to have it available at any hour on the third day, since we are making a long drive to Rome that day. <BR><BR>If we do decide to leave the car in Maestre, is it safe to leave a suitcase in the trunk there for three days?

Also, if we do decide to park in Mestre, and take the train, can someone direct us to the closest garage to the station. We will be coming from Verona.

ttt<BR>

ttt

I debated this very topic for the longest time before we went to Venice in June. I was parking my own car so I was very concerned about security.<BR><BR>I ended up parking at Tronchetto which was very convenient and safe. Piazzale Roma is slightly closer but still a vaparetto ride to your hotel. It is also more expensice than Tronchetto.<BR><BR>Bottom line: all are good options but if I had to do it again I would park at Tronchetto.