My husband and I are traveling to Venice soon, with our four children (ages 5,6,7,9) and I am very confused about the pricing for them on water taxis. Are children under 14 the same price as an adult, but persons aged 14-29 get a discounted rate? Thanks!

shannon, I think you are asking about public transport, vaporetti, and not water taxis. But in case you are asking about water taxis, they charge by the ride and not the person, regardless of age.

Vaporetti costs

http://www.actv.it/en/movinginvenice/prices

Water taxis are private, like regular taxis, and are very expensive. You want the vaporetto, as stated above.

If you're arriving at the airport you want the Alilaguna (or the bus and then a vaporetto)

http://www.alilaguna.it/en

If you are six people, taking a water taxi begins to get cost competitive with vaporetti, because I believe you are correct that children under 14 pay full fare, just like adults. At least that was the case the last time I checked, and the website given to you appears to confirm that.

If you are coming from the airport with luggage and kids, you might very well want to spring for the cost of a water taxi. Even coming from the train station you might if you arrive with luggage during a time of day when Venice is very crowded.

Otherwise, you probably want to walk. There are free rides to Murano given by the glass factories. If you want to get to Burano or Torcello or other islands, you can look into the cost of multi-ride pass with a fixed time limit to see if that works for you.

Yes, I was asking about the vaporetti. It's unbelievable to me that little kids cost the same as an adult. Does anyone know the reasoning behind this?
The free rides to the Murano glass factories is new information to me. How do I find out more about this, or where to go to catch the free ride? Thanks so much!

Everyone on the boat takes up room - and so you need to pay for it. In NYC all kids that take a seat (don;t sit on a lap) have to pay a fare - it only makes sense.

I know to people from suburbs this may not make sense - but why should other riders subsidize your children?

That makes perfect sense. Never thought of it that way. Was thinking about trains and boats we have taken in other cities in other countries that charge discounted rates for children, sometimes free! Thanks for the insight!

It may depend on how busy the transit is.

Vaporettos typically are very full - standing room only except at off hours - and if the child riding means another passenger waiting can't get on - why should the child be free?

(Yes, we have gotten seats at times - but usually outside of peak tourist season and in the evening - not main tourist hours.)

I give you a lot of credit because I could never imagine taking four kids to Venice with me!

I would be giving them Klonopin washed down with Nyquil, hoping they would sleep 17
hours a day so I could get some peace and quiet.

No kids for me I can't even take care of a pair of Chanel sunglasses.

Happy Venice!

Thin

Stevewith- I got your earlier comment and agree completely. Thanks!

I think it would be worth it to take a water taxi from the airport to your hotel (around $130 or so, maybe less). You get a fantastic intro to Venice and it is much more convenient.

Personally, I wouldn't do the free ride to Murano unless you really love to watch glass-blowing demonstrations (hot) and have the hard sell put on you afterward. If you want to buy glass, you can do that it Venice itself, and personally, I don't find Murano charming at all. Burano is nice, but unless you have several days in Venice, I wouldn't take the time away on a first visit.