We will be in Venice for three nights at the end of September. Many have suggested getting a hotel by the airport the last night to make an early flight (7:20 am). Should we just spend all three nights by the airport and go into Venice via bus/shuttle/taxi or spend two nights in Venice then move to the airport on the final day?
Thanks for your help!

I would definitely stay in Venice not near the airport for the first days. It is a beautiful city and early morning and evenings are a great time to wander/explore. Not sure about the logistics of catching an early flight at the end.

By all means, stay in Venice for all but the last night. On the last night, have an early dinner and go to a hotel near the airport. Many years ago, we stayed on Lido and had to travel into the city. It made it hard to drop off packages in our hotel room, to change for dinner, or simply to take a little nap before dinner. We have never done that again.

We had a 7am flight out of Venice and took the Alilaguna and took an Alilaguna boat from St. Mark's Square arriving at the airport around 6:15. It was more than enough time as the airport was EMPTY. We had pre-printed our boarding passes and were carrying on, but even if we had not, it would not have been an issue as there were no lines whatsoever that time of day. The Alilaguana has departures starting before 4am if you are more cautious.

http://www.alilaguna.it/index.en.html

Always stay in the City magical

Commuting to/from the airport hotels a hassle

not ideal...

www.spg.com recently stayed at Westin Europa Regina

for 4200 Starwood points and 90 euro/nt

got upgraded to a suite right on the Grand Canal

it wasy AWESOME!

So do something like that based on budget...

www.hotelclub.net another decent place I have stayed at

in San Marco A Tribute to Music nice rooms perfectly

located paid 110 euro/nt for a loagoon view room

was also very nice...Airpot Hotel for your last nite wise

Have fun

You need not move to a hotel closer to the airport unless you don't wish to get up a little earlier than usual. My husband and I (and millions of other travelers over the years) took the vap (your hotel staff can help with times) to Piazzale Roma and then taxied to the airport.

You don't need the hotel staff, nor a taxi from Piazzale Roma. There are busses, just check the schedule at www.actv.it and www.atvo.it, respectively (= the two bus companies running airport busses).

Busses even cheaper than taxi. In fact, I believe the vap tickets can be used??? We always felt taxi was faster and got us a little closer. Or am I misremembering? Busses franco mentions also leave from Piazzale Roma.

We caught a night vap to Piazzale Roma-desk clerk had the night schedule. I presume franco's site above would have the same thing. However, the desk clerk might just leave you a little bag of breakfast goodies if he/she knows you are going to miss it at the hotel.