ezoid

I've heard conflicting reports on this. What is the best way to get from the Venice airport to town? We are staying at the Hotel Dei Dragomanni, near st. marks square. PLEASE HELP!!

GeoffHamer

A water taxi is like a taxi on land. It's the most expensive way of getting anywhere.
A cheaper option is the Alilaguna boat service from the airport to Piazza San Marco.
www.alilaguna.it

hpeabody

There is also the Airport bus to Piazzale Roma, then probably the Line 1 vaporetto to the stop for your hotel. You don't need to spend the money for a water taxi.

Jed

What does best mean? Fastest, cheapest, most scenic? How many people, how much baggage, how is your walking and baggage pulling ability?

Besides 'hearing' reports, have you read the multitude of post on this subject here?

sherhatfield

A water taxi would be nice, but definitely pricey. We took the Alilaguna and it was a beautiful way to see the city for the first time!

Weekender

A water taxi is an adventure but an expensive one at approx. €100 each way.

DanT99

Trust these other posts, the Alilaguna is the best way to begin. Buy the ticket in the airport arrival hall...its a great way to approach St Marks. On the way back, why not ask your hotel if they can arrange a taxi return so you can also experience that? Avoid the station end if you are staying in St Marks...its a hassle to get down with luggage on the busy waterbuses!

ekscrunchy

Be aware that there is a planned strike of water taxis....

ezoid

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think we'll take the Alilaguna.

Byrd

If you have a number of people in your group, a water taxi can be affordable, and is a great way to approach Venice.

We had a group of eight, and I think we each paid $15, which included generous tip.


Byrd

bobthenavigator

Or, make friend on the plane and split the cost. Both boat options involve a 500 meter walk from the terminal.

yk

If you can afford it, definitely take the water taxi.

When we were in Venice 3 years ago, the ferry dock for Alilaguna was very chaotic. There were no lines, just crowds. When the boat arrived, people just pushed one another to get on the boat. Why? Because there was a limit of how many people can get on. If you are in the back of the pack and the boat is full, you are SOL and have to wait for the next boat.

It was just an unpleasant experience for us (we did get on the first boat) as we had a very long journey from home to Venice (10+hr flight from Dallas to London, 5 hour layover at Gatwick, flight to Venice... you get the point).

nytraveler

It depends on several things:

How many of you are there?

How much luggage wil you have?

How do you feel about dragging that luggage on and off boats and toting it over bridges and through the streets?

How tight is your budget?

We always do water taxi when we arive - since I don't do luggage on public transit (except long distance trains). After that we walk or do vaporetto.

cmeyer54

we've used both; allilaguna is cheaper but takes longer; water taxi is spendy but fast. up to you...with alilaguna, plan 45 minutes at least once you leave the dock at the airport.