What is the best mode of transportation from San Marco to the airport? I understand it is about an hour ride.<BR>How far from San Marco are the river cruises? What method of transportation would you take from the river to <BR>San Marco?

Basically three options: water taxi, vaporetto and alilaguna.<BR><BR>Search "alilaguina" here on this forum, and you will find more discussions about all three choices.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

The best mode of transportation is definitely a Mercedes, although some people lack taste and prefer Lexus.

Jean:<BR><BR>There are several options:<BR><BR>Most expensive is a water taxi (motoscafo): It will take you straight from the city to the airport. tranfer time is about an hour. Cost: astronomical, gets reasonable, if 6 people share one<BR><BR>Probably quickest: water bus (vaporetto) line 82 to piazzale Roma, from there taxi to the airport (about 30 minutes) or bus to the airport (close to 1 hour).<BR><BR>Easiest: Alilaguna water bus from San Marco, 4 intermediate stop no-tranfer service to the airport (1 hour 10 minutes, cost 9.81 ? one way, @ 5.61 with the Venice card. **not included in the vaporetto passes!**).<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip<BR><BR>Phil.

topping<BR>

Phil,<BR>Someone said that the alilaguna is unbearably hot and uncomfortable, esp. with luggage. Is that true?<BR>Where is the best place to stay in Venice?<BR>Thanks for your help.

I took the waterbus to/from Marco Polo in September, warm weather, it didn't seem unbearably hot to me. It's a big boat, designed for people carrying luggage, so there seemed to be a lot a room for passengers and their anvils. If there are more than four of you, a water taxi would probably be a better deal (a bit more money, but the taxi will take you as close to your hotel as possible vs the waterbus that drops you off at designated stops; you then either have to walk, take a water taxi, or a waterbus to your hotel if the stop isn't near your hotel). If you're staying at an upscale hotel, ask if they have shuttle craft to collect you at the airport.<BR><BR>Best area for hotel if you want to be near the heart of everything: St Mark's Square (San Marco)<BR><BR>Best area for hotel for price (excluding the Lido): anywhere else<BR><BR>My trick for finding less expensive hotels: get a map, look for the "must-see" tourist sights, find a hotel anywhere but there. Avoid any hotel that offers "American breakfasts". <BR><BR>Venice is so small that you can get to everything from anywhere in no time at all.

Jean:<BR><BR>Sorry, I have never taken the Alilaguna ferry, so I cannot inform you about the temperature aboard their boats. Generally I go for the cheapest way of transportation, and as I am a light packer, there is no real problem with my luggage .<BR><BR>As to the "best" place to stay, I don't give any recommendation, as preferences are so different (busy vs. quiet place; cheap vs. budget vs. I don't care about the price; short ways vs. don't mind about taking the waterbus every day etc.).<BR><BR>As Elvira stated, Venice is so compact that it hardly matters, where you will be staying (except Mestre and the Lido): You will be able to walk "everywhere" within a reasonable time.<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip<BR><BR>Phil.

Since we took the bus two times to the airport, I have to correct the time of travel. From Piazza Roma you purchase a ticket for 2.70 Euro (one way) get on the bus and it takes no more than 20 minutes. Absolutely no need for a taxi. The bus drops you directly in front of the entrance to the airport. They leave every 15 minutes. We were also told one hour to the airport and were surprised to see how fast we got there. We took the vaporetto to Pz. Roma. <BR>As for where to stay. My preference would be away from San Marco. I personally loved Dorsoduro area. Quiet, residential, good restaurants and shops. Easy walk to everything. <BR>Denise

Thanks for all your helpful suggestions.<BR>Has anyone gotten seasick in Venice?<BR>Are restaurants and cafes as expensive as the hotels?