If you were arriving in Venice by train and departing from the airport, which options would YOU choose for traveling to/from the hotel on the Grand Canal?

Time is not really a concern.

We will be there for a few days.

Vaporetto to your hotel; vaporetto to Piazzale Roma for the land bus to the airport.

Ditto. But I suppose if you have money to spare you could take a water taxi.

If time isn't a concern:

From the train station, I guess I'd take a vaporetto to the stop nearest your hotel. The boarding stop is close to the station.

To the airport, I'd take the Alilaguna. It's kind of a slow boat with a lot of stops, but it should fill the bill if you're in no hurry.

I didn't recommend the bus because I think getting off the vaporetto and over to the bus area is a bit of a hassle with baggage, but it is doable.

Thanks. Yes, no hurry either way. I'm leaning toward going out by water also and less handling of bags is a plus.

Depends on the weather as much as budget. No fun on the open water in driving rain and wind. In fog, water taxis may not operate, no matter how much you can afford to pay.

I took the Alilaguna to the airport early morn. Easy and it was close enough to my hotel near Piazza San Marco.

Agree vaparetto from the train is easy.

Buon viaggio starrs!

Excellent point!

Thank you!

Private water taxis do a lot of damage to the foundations of Venice, and many people avoid them, just like they avoid littering in other places. If age or physical handicaps prevent you from using public transportation, shared water taxis are more considerate of the future of Venice. Leave it for others to enjoy too!

Where are you staying on the Grand Canal? The train station opens up to it, but of course it winds all the way down to San Marco...

I've walked from the train station to my hotel or apartment the last few times - although last time, admittedly, the hotel was barely two blocks from the station. Before that, I had to walk a few bridges up Strada Nuova to my apartment, but I didn't have a lot of bags so not a problem for me. And I don't mind walking a bit to get to my hotel.

Sometimes vaporetto stops aren't that close to your lodging and don't necessarily save you much walking. But if you are buying a day pass for the vaporetto anyway...?

The hotel is close to a vaporetto stop. We'd prefer not to do a lot of walking with bags. By the time we are ready to leave, I'm sure we'll have a better idea of our preference, but just wanted input from others. I have an image of a slow ride out by water, but that may not be the best option. Low stress is a priority throughout the trip.

The multiple-passenger taxi boat ride, mentioned earlier, is an in-between option. Less costly than hiring a boat yourself and quicker but more expensive than the Alilaguna.

Your hotel probably can hook you up with a multi.

>>> The hotel is close to a vaporetto stop.

Which is your hotel? Have you actually looked at the path using the google street view? Unlike a land destination, close proximity in distance Venice does not necessarily translate to low stress movement if you have to walk around to reach closest bridge(s) most of which require hoisting your luggage over steps.

It depends on how crowded the vaporetto is.

I would probably pay for the water taxi if the vaporetto is packed. Luggage was a hassle to get on when people are pushing and crowding the boat. But otherwise, I don't mind transit and the vaporettos are fun.

But Greg mentioned the bridges- I'd pay extra so I would not have to climb a bridge with my bag. That is the worst. I stayed pretty close to Vaporetto stop but quickly decided that "pretty" close is not close enough. Next time I want to stay somewhere a water taxi can just pull right up to!

I guess I'm more hard-core than some of you in terms of dragging bags around Venice - and I also pack lighter, perhaps, also. I've carried my bags over a few bridges in my time - not ideal but far from impossible. As long as my lodging is relatively close to a vaporetto station (if not walking distance from the train station), I wouldn't sweat it myself.

This is not a hard core trip.
The v stop is very close and TA reviews indicate it's mere steps, no bridge/ steps to deal with and easy peasy. That was a main criteria in choosing a hotel. Thanks for all the great info!

Great, starrs! Hope you write a trip report!

Andrew- I just see little point in being hard core about carrying luggage. I will if I must but it's not like you won't get to climb plenty of bridges just exploring (and getting lost) while visiting Venice

marvelousmouse, we all have different travel preferences, right? Personally, I just don't think it's a big deal to drag a few bags 5-10 minutes, even over a few bridges. I do it every time I travel.

Only the #5 bus will take you to the departures hall at Marco Polo.

With the Alilaguna and private water taxi, you will have to walk from the docks to Marco Polo with your luggage. Takes about 10 minutes.

I always take the #5 bus.

Thin