How do vaporetto tickets work? Do you buy them on board, or before? Do you need to present them to conductor, or timestamp them? Are vaporetto tickets good for traghetto? <BR>Can I take the luggage on vaporetto? <BR>Are water taxis very expencive? <BR>Do you use public transit alot while there, or is it mostly walking?

ALOT of walking in Venice. However I did find that I'd use the vaporetto's, particularly if wanting to get from one end of Grand Canal to the other (for instance, getting from St. Mark's Square up to area of Jewish Ghetto, in the Cannegio (sp?) district.) Or you'll certainly use the vaporetto if you're staying on the Lido or should you want to visit the glass factories. <BR> <BR>You purchase vaporetto tickets BEFORE boarding --- similar system as to how Italians do when using buses. In fact, that's how I usually describe vaparetto's as Venice's "bus boats". Buy your ticket (or can purchase a pass --- didn't opt for this, so can't provide info) --- stamp ticket at small orange/yellow machine on the dock before boarding. <BR> <BR>Yes, you can take luggage on the vaporetto. <BR> <BR>Didn't take a water taxi when I was there. They cost substantially more than using public transport, but may be worth it for getting to/from airport. <BR>

One way ticket costs 6000 itl, return ticket is 10000.Transfer( traghetto) ticket-just crossing the Canale Grande,to the next stop-costs 3000 itl, return ftransfer is 5000 itl.Locals pay much less.At the main stops there are vending machines and counter as well,but none of them at the smaller ones.

Here's a few websites that provide info about Venice & have links that'll address many of your transportation questions. <BR> <BR>There's just a few places along the Grand Canal where you can get across using the traghetto. Took a traghetto only once. I think it was a little cheaper than the vaporetto tickets & at the stop where I was, I just paid or bought a ticket there. An interesting experience as traghetto's are essentially "retired gondolas" and you stand up for the short ride across the canal (and with your fingers crossed that nobody starts rocking the boat!). <BR> <BR> <BR>http://www.veniceword.com/ <BR> <BR>http://www.veniceinfo.it/ <BR> <BR>http://goeurope.about.com/library/venice/aa122997.htm <BR> <BR>

We were in Venice for 4 days and bought a 3 day pass. Our ticket was checked one time in all the times we used it over the course of our stay. <BR> <BR>Didn;t matter if the vaporetto was empty or full, they were not checked. <BR> <BR>Has anyone had the same experience?

We took a water taxi from the airport to our hotel near the train station as we arrived after the vaporetto stopped running. It was about US$60. We also took one (again, very late at night) from St Mark's to Vignole, where our boat was docked - I think that one was about US$75. For the rest of the time, we used the vaporetto, including the trip back to the airport. As we were in Venice just two days, we opted for individual tickets.

Yes, they do check tickets, and they charge $16 per ticket if things are not right. We boarded at a stop that had no place to buy a ticket, and we thought we could buy on board. What we did not know was that you have to ask as soon as you step foot on the boat. We sat down, thinking someone would come around, and we ended up paying a $90 fine for the 5 of us. That is a lot of gelato!

Vaporetto is like a water bus. Only travel on the large Grand Canal that is shaped like an "S and goes essentially from the train station to St Mark's square. <BR>There is a ticket booth at the water's edge at the train station. Unless you buy a ticket good for a certain length of time, or get on at the train station, there are no ticket booths at the other stations. <BR>Get on and pay. <BR>Some times they check if you've paid sometimes they don't. There is,howver, a sign posted on the vaporetto that mentions a fine for not paying. <BR>When getting on there are no stairs. Just wheel luggage, carriages, etc on, find a seat or stand and get off where you want. <BR>

There are ticket booths at almost every stop!

If I remember correctly, we had to pay extra for luggage. Does anyone know if that is still true, or is that only for several pieces of luggage as opposed to a carry on piece?

The signs say that you have to pay for luggage, but we have always asked, but have never been charged.

We did not have choice; the ticket seller noticed our luggage and told us to pay extra for the luggage. It was a good size luggage. But I don't think they care about small, carry-on types.

I travel with only a small carry-on, so that must be why we didn't have to pay.

Returned on June 22 from Venice. Surprisingly, we found that they were checking vaporetto tickets on almost every trip! They supposedly recently started doing this. I suggest you buy the one day or three day pass so you are not constantly buying tickets during the day (they have family passes for 3-4-5 people) as these are the best deals. Take with you one of those little plastic ID card holders to keep the ticket in, so you don't lose it in your pocket. The good thing about the all day pass is that when you get tired of walking, just get on the vaporetto and ride, ride ride. Try to get a seat and relax. When the vaporettos come to St Mark's Square, most people get off, so grab a seat!

Have just returned from Italy. Stayed in Venice for 3 nights. Buy a 3 day pass for 35,000 Lire. This covers your luggage ect when you arrive. <BR>If travelling by train the vaporetta is directly out the front with the tickey office..very easy. <BR>Vaporetta No.1 and No.82 take you up and down the Grand Canal. No.1 is the slower one! <BR>Bus No.5 takes you to and from the airport for 1,500 Lira one way. <BR>You do, do a lot of walking but it is very easy to get on a vaporetto if tired. Food and drink are not particularly cheap compared to other areas in Italy. <BR>We stayed in the Hotel Galleria right in the canal, next to the Accademia bridge. Wonderful at night or day to sit on our window checking out the view of the Grand Canal..it is a wonderful city.

Just wanted to add that we bought the three day pass and used it to travel from San Marco to Burano and Murano. Our passes were checked just once during the three days.

Amazing. Most have had different experiences on the same topic in the same place. <BR>Is it us or do they keep changing things?

Just returned from Venice last week. There were 4 of us and when I inquired about the family ticket, was informed that we'd all have to use the ticket together to get the family rate. We knew we'd be split up periodically, so we got the 3 day ticket which still saved us money. One warning, though. I was very proud that I'd used my limited Italian mixed with a little Spanish to conduct the entire transaction, and realized that the tickets issued were pre validated starting at that time. And we weren't going to be using the tickets until the next day--thereby losing a day of the ticket. The sign was there but I'd not noticed. The employee reissued them for me but wasn't too pleased. It is impt. that you validate the ticket before you board because they apparently can fine you if it's not. In our 3 1/2 days that we used the tickets, we were never checked once--we gambled that the 2 hrs. past the expiration time they'd be forgiving!