suego

We are leaving for Italy in 2 weeks. How is the best way to get to our hotel in Venice from the train station? I have seen info on the water taxi but how to get to the taxi?

maryk

The water taxis are right outside the station. Depending on where you're staying (and how much luggage you have) you may be able to take the vaporetto (water bus), which also stops right outside the station. Personally I think it's worth splurging on a taxi - nothing quite like being driven along the Grand Canel in a gleaming water taxi. Make sure you check what the fare will be before you start!

suego

Thanks MaryK. What is a resonable price for the water taxi?

RufusTFirefly

Be sure you're arriving at Santa Lucia station, and not Mestre. Some folks get messed up getting off in Mestre.<BR><BR>Check where your hotel is, if it's near a vaporetto stop there's no reason to spend extra on a taxi. Cost of the taxi will depend on where your hotel is located. Which hotel is it?

suego

The hotel is the&quot;Pensione Accademia&quot; the address shows Dorsoduro 1058, 30123<BR><BR>Can you tell I've never been to Italy?

RufusTFirefly

A typical short trip around town by water taxi will be 40 something euros. Those boats are very expensive to maintain.

mclaurie

If your hotel is near a vaparetto (water bus)stop and you don't have too much luggage, there's no reason for a taxi which is very expensive. Also, if your hotel is not on a canal, you will still have to walk with luggage from wherever the taxi drops you.

mclaurie

Suego I stayed at the Accademia. They do have a place for a taxi to drop you right in front of the hotel. Or you can take a vaparetto to the Accademia stop. It is an easy 5 minute walk and over one small bridge. It just depends on how much luggage you have.

Lesli

Arrival at the train station:<BR>http://www.frommers.com/destinations/venice/0067020009.html<BR><BR>Water taxis: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/venice/0067035983.html<BR><BR>Vaporetti: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/venice/0067032702.html<BR><BR>I travel light and in shoulder season, so crowds and luggage are not much of an issue. Prefer to spend my money on wine, food, and seeing/doing, so the vaporetto works just fine for me and saves me about $35. The views on the Grand Canal are the same!

suego

Mclaurie, I'm sorry but, can you tell me what a vaparetto is? Also, did you like the hotel.

syrinx

There's a vaporetto stop right at the Accademia. It should be very close to your hotel. The vaporettos are a lot cheaper than the water taxi. It should only cost you no more than 3-4 euros per person. I think it's nice to relax in the vaporetto and enjoy the ride on the canal, especially after a long train ride.

suego

Lesli - thanks for the great web site! <BR><BR>To all - thanks for all your help. Planning this trip has been so much easier with everyone's input. This is my first trip to Europe!

RufusTFirefly

Oh, suego, you are going to have such a wonderful time. Every trip to Europe is great, but that first one--oh baby, I will never, ever forget one moment. Just keep in mind that travel does involve inconvenience, not everything will go perfectly, just roll with it and you'll be surprised at how quickly what seem to be big problems turn out to be no problem at all.

suego

RufusT - Thanks for the smile. I am VERY exicted.

Isobel

Suego - Wish I was going to Venice. Spent a week there last year - out of this world!<BR>I would agree with most of the authors, unless you have plenty of money, take the vaporetti (Venice's local boat just like the local bus) and keep your money for other things! You come out of the train station and the Grand Canal is right in front of you. Walk down the steps and the stands for the vaporetti is right in front of you. I think it is a No 1 that goes to St Marks Square and stops at all the landing stages on either side of the Grand Canal. If my memory serves me right, the Accademia is on the righthand side of the Grand Canal going towards St Marks so when you go on the boat take yourself and your luggage to the right hand side of the boat. Try and get a position towards the front of the boat so you can see the Grand Canal in front of you - it was the most wonderful experience of my life - couldnt stop taking pictures. My advice for Venice is just wander - you will get lost but dont worry its all part of the fun! Do also try and take a boat trip to the islands of Murano and Burano (one specialises in lace - the other in glass). Even if you are not interested in these items, it is a nice boat trip. Also if the weather should be nice enough (???) for a beach - there is a public beach in the Lido.<BR>Beware of eating or drinking in St Marks Square unless you want to give yourself a treat - very expensive. <BR>Once you have settled in your hotel, the best way to see the whole of the Grand Canal is to get on a No 1 vaporetti at St Marks Square and sail to the train station, then you can walk back from the station to St Marks or vice versa.<BR>Have a great time!<BR>Isobel

mclaurie

Suego,<BR><BR>You will love Venice. What a great way to see Europe for the first time! I don't know what a taxi would cost from the train station because I arrived from the airport. (We took a taxi from the hotel to the airport when we left &amp; it cost 85 euros but it's a much longer ride to the airport than to the train station.)<BR><BR>All the vaparetto lines stop at the train station. To the Accademia stop you can take #1 or 82. You should buy a multi day vaparetto pass at the ticket booth, depending on how long you'll be there. You will have the ultimate ride down the Grand Canal when you arrive but you'll be getting off BEFORE San Marco Square.<BR><BR>The hotel is lovely &amp; very well located. When you get out of the vaparetto walk to your right. If you want to email me with any more questions feel free. My email is<BR>[email protected].

Dreamer2

Hi, SueGo!<BR>Just did the same thing last month. Want to encourage you to get the 3-day pass when you arrive. It's very reasonable and just keep the ticket with you at all times and you won't have to worry again. If you get tired of walking the second day, or lost, you just hop on a boat. <BR>We also stayed at the Accademia. It is so charming and in such a great location! The #1 water bus makes a lot of stops, and the #82 is a bit quicker. Just be sure you get on going in the right direction! From the train station, you'll want to be travelling to the left!?!? So check the &quot;line&quot; directory - like a subway - before you board. Once you disembark at the Accademia &quot;station,&quot; head inland towards the right. Follow the path to the right, until you come out to a little canal. Cross the bridge, and take an immediate right to walk along the canal. Your hotel is at the end of the path!<BR>And finally, as others said, don't get off at the first Venice stop you come to on the train line. Stay until the end of the line: St. Lucia. When you walk out of the station and down the steps, you'll see the ticket booth for the water bus. We considered taking a taxi back for fun, but decided to use our 3-day ticket when the desk clerk told us it runs about EU40. If you decide to taxi anywhere in Italy, ask the price Before you get in - even from the airport to the train station.<BR>

AnneO

Suego....the vap is very easy. You got some great info in the previous posts. I only have one thing to add... after you buy your pass, be sure to stamp it (there is a little yellow machine) before you use it the first time. This validates your ticket, and starts the clock running (i.e., a 72 hour pass is good from the time you stamp it for the next 72 hours). If you are asked for your ticket, have it easily available. If it is not validated, it is just like not having a ticket (and you'll pay a fine). The vaparettos are VERY easy to figure out!<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip...I can't wait to go back!<BR><BR>Anne

maitaitom

We stayed at Pensione Accademia in 2001 and it was great. Nice room and a quiet area. They had a great staff who can help you with gondola rides, trips to Murano, restaurant advice, etc. Just walk around Venice at night and lose yourself in its beauty. You might think it a little insane when you get there, but wait for the crowds to die out at night. Although in April, you mprobably will have less day crowds. Don't miss the Doges Palace, one of my favorite places to visit on the continent. Have a fantastic time. We're going back in September. Can't wait.

Mary_Fran

Suego:<BR><BR>Your question about what a vaporetto is made me laugh, because before I visited Venice, I had this image of a vaporetto as a kind of canoe, and I had nightmarish images of trying to struggle myself and my bags onto this canoe and disgracing myself by tipping the whole thing over and spilling us all into the canal. Truly, I did. <BR><BR>The vaporetto turn out to be more like a small ferry. You easily board up a short ramp, with little risk to life or limb. Here's a link where you can see what they look like: http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/...and_sounds.htm