I have been given a quote from a travel agent for a private water taxi from Marco Polo airport to our hotel in San Marco. The price includes 4 bags of luggage and a late arrival of 11pm. The price quoted was $279.00USD. I was shocked until I started pulling up websites and entering the information for a private water taxi. Now I am confused. Depending on the website, the price is anywhere from $136.00USD to $269.00USD. The obvious difference is that the quote of $136.00 does not mention being met at the airport, a late arrival, or baggage limits/quantity. The price of $269.00 mentions having a person at the airport to take us to the private water taxi where it will drop us off at the hotel (not down the street from the hotel...and yes, it has a private landing). If I enter arrival time and bags on one site, it quotes me a price of $252.00USD, but mentions nothing about meeting me at the airport and bringing me to the water taxi. Does anyone have any recent prices for a private water taxi that included arrival after 10pm (which is evidently when the price kicks to a late night rate) and quantity of bags and your experience with the water taxi company (who was it)? My concern is not so much the price, but getting to my hotel comfortably late at night in a foreign country with baggage WITHOUT getting overcharged on the price of a private water taxi. Please advise.

The price ranges above $250 for private water taxis from the airport sound about right.

Have you checkd into taking the airport bus from the airport to the Piazale Roma. It costs EUR6. I took it in June last year, although not at night. Then took a taxi from the Piazale to the ship dock. The Piazale is sort of a traffic center for all Venice transport conveyances - - bus, vaporetto, taxis, water taxis.

I'd take the bus to the Piazzale Roma, then the No 1 vaporetto down the Grand Canal. Cost about 12 Euro in total.

It all depends on how much luggage you have. If you are laden down, then I'm sure that you just want to get to the hotel and sleep. However, the Piazzale Roma is a good less expensive option, if the bags are manageable.

The water taxi may not get right to your hotel depending on tide height. Sometimes it's too high to get under some of the bridges round San Marco.

The taxis are madly expensive though. We went from a hotel at the back of San Marco to the cruise port last year, and the fare for the ten minute ride was 90 euros without tip.

We took the water taxi with no reservations 2 weeks ago, although we arrived at 8:00 p.m.

It was very easy: just go to the Water Taxi stand, pay 95 Euros total (you can pay using credit card) for four with luggage, then walk for 5-7 minutes and taxi will be waiting for you.

There is an alternative (sort of a shuttle) Alilaguna boat. It takes much longer to get to the city and for 4 of you can cost about the same as taxi.

It was not our first trip to Venice and we thought that it is the best way to enter this magical city! Worth every penny!

I don't use travel agents (unless a movie studio is hiring me) and I've never arrived in Venice that late. I would contact your hotel and see if they can arrange a better offer.

The water taxi dock is a ten minute walk from baggage claim. The airport provides a shuttle service to the docks. I've never had a water taxi driver leave his boat and pick me up at baggage claim. Typically, one goes to the dock and water taxis are there waiting for passengers. I can't speak about 11 PM arrivals, though.

Your hotel will give you honest information about the cost and your findings may be accurate for that hour. Frankly, I think $279 is insane but water taxis in Venice are notoriously expensive. Careful arrival plans to Venice can save one a lot of money.

You can take a car taxi from the airport to Piazzale Roma and you can take a water taxi from Piazzale Roma to your hotel for much less. Or you can take a late night vaporetto but you'll have to schlep your luggage and arrive much later to your hotel because of the schedule.

€95 mentioned above was the "official" rate I saw on the sign 1 year ago when I was at the dock. I didn't take the water taxi. I was just killing time waiting for my flight home. The rate is for a boat for maximum about 6 persons.

kappa1: that is exactly what we paid on May 25th (plus my DH gave 5 Euros a tip)

hi,,

we paid the same - €95 - about a year ago. you just go to the tourist desk right ahead of you as you exit baggage reclaim, and ask for a water taxi. they give you a chit, and you hand that in when you get to the water dock. we arrived late - about 10.30pm, and there were no problems. I think it stays open til at least midnight.

regards, ann

We've just had to make a similar decision. We've been to Venice many times and have done ALL the above mentioned alternatives. Now ...we're "older" and have opted for the pricey option you are describing. Reason: We don't want to schelp bags at all. My husband's physical condition really requires assistance. And...yippee...we're going to be in Venice once again... and a certain... what the hell mentality takes over. As our travel agent (who I trust) sez: now is not the time to nickel and dime. And,, indeed, given the overall cost of our trip it's a drop in the bucket. All Puritan, New England restraints are off! (Let's just hope it's not raining -

These give me a good idea of the price from the airport. How about the other way i.e. from hotel to airport? Would it cost the same if you made your own arrangements with a private water taxi? Also, when we arrive in Venice, we will be dropping off a rental at Piazzale Roma. How much do water taxis cost from here to hotel with private landing. The hotel is on the opposite side of the Accademia bridge (on the San Marco side). Like the airport, is there a water taxi stand at P. Roma that one could go to to catch the taxi? I would love to know the ball park figure. Thanks.