We need private ground transport
Feb 12th, 2008, 12:55 AM
#1
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We need private ground transport
We're a family of 2 adults and 3 children, seeking private ground transport (for legs before Venice) for us and luggage. We arrive by air in Venice and leave by train (S. Lucia station) five hours later, arriving at Florence (S.M.N. station), staying in a villa above the city (Fiesole). Few days later we leave by train (again, SMN) for Rome, arriving at Termini station, staying in apartment near the Vatican. Finally, back to Venice by train, arriving (S. Lucia), for a stay at Dorsoduro, departing by air a few days later. We do not speak italian, and, this is our first trip to Italy in 25 years.
We would greatly appreciate recommendations for absolutely reliable private transport, to and from the train stations and airport, that we could arrange before we leave for Italy. We also seek a taxi for a very early morning ride from our apartment in Rome to a tour [to Pompeii and Naples] departure point at 5/A Via Farini [off Via Cavour, Rome].
Thank you.
We would greatly appreciate recommendations for absolutely reliable private transport, to and from the train stations and airport, that we could arrange before we leave for Italy. We also seek a taxi for a very early morning ride from our apartment in Rome to a tour [to Pompeii and Naples] departure point at 5/A Via Farini [off Via Cavour, Rome].
Thank you.
Feb 12th, 2008, 02:32 AM
#2
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>to and from the train stations and airport, that we could arrange before we leave for Italy.
Why not simply go to the taxi queues at the station and pick one? So much easier than arranging anything in advance.
Why not simply go to the taxi queues at the station and pick one? So much easier than arranging anything in advance.
Feb 12th, 2008, 04:53 AM
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You have enough time after you arrive in Venice to simply hire two water taxis. But if you don't want to chance that, you could post another question here with a heading like, "LOOKING FOR NAMES AND NUMBERS OF WATER TAXI COMPANIES FOR PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION FROM VENICE AIRPORT." Then you could make your own arrangements in advance. You might also try looking for this information on Venice tourism websites.
For the Florence/Fiesole portion of your trip, and the Rome portion of your trip, I'd ask for transfer recommendations from the owners/agents of your villa/apartment.
For the Florence/Fiesole portion of your trip, and the Rome portion of your trip, I'd ask for transfer recommendations from the owners/agents of your villa/apartment.
Feb 12th, 2008, 05:47 AM
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I just don't understand why you have to go to Santa Lucia Station when arrive in Venice airport if you are not going to stay in Venice. You can get the same train in Mestre station, which is nearer to the airport and won't need a water taxi. Or just board a train there to Santa Lucia station and change trains, much cheaper and easier. There is no way to get Santa Lucia station with ground transport but trains.
Feb 12th, 2008, 05:53 AM
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Hi H,
Ditto k,
Take a cab from VCE (or Treviso) to Mestre train station.
Your hotels in Venice, Florence and Rome can easily arrange for taxi transportation for you.
Do you already have your plane tickets?
If not, it would be much easier to fly into Venice and out of Rome or vice versa.
Enjoy your visit.
Ditto k,
Take a cab from VCE (or Treviso) to Mestre train station.
Your hotels in Venice, Florence and Rome can easily arrange for taxi transportation for you.
Do you already have your plane tickets?
If not, it would be much easier to fly into Venice and out of Rome or vice versa.
Enjoy your visit.
Feb 12th, 2008, 10:04 AM
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Thank you for replies. I did a poor job framing the query (without mentioning Italy), and may repost.
To answer queries/comments: We do have plane tickets in and out of Venice-those were the only available on our travel dates using ff miles. We are using the S. Lucia train station from Venice to Florence because that was the station that was available, at the Florence arrival time we wanted, when we booked the tickets on Travelocity. We are not staying in a hotel in Rome (apartment rental) and do not have a rental in Florence.
We are aware that there are taxis available in Italy. Our concern, based on past experiences, is that many taxis do not have room for 5 passengers plus luggage. Are we fretting too much about this?
We have been offered water taxi transport to and from Venice accommodations at end of our trip (rather pricey), and were inquiring if there were any other suggestions. Our principal concern is transfers from Venice airport to train station (S. Lucia) to Florence, thence to Rome (from train to apartment) and to train station in Rome to return to Venice.
And, we are also concerned about best way to arrange early morning taxi to the departure point for Pompeii tour leaving central Rome. I don't relish hailing a taxi at 7:00 a.m.
Again, thank you for your guidance.
To answer queries/comments: We do have plane tickets in and out of Venice-those were the only available on our travel dates using ff miles. We are using the S. Lucia train station from Venice to Florence because that was the station that was available, at the Florence arrival time we wanted, when we booked the tickets on Travelocity. We are not staying in a hotel in Rome (apartment rental) and do not have a rental in Florence.
We are aware that there are taxis available in Italy. Our concern, based on past experiences, is that many taxis do not have room for 5 passengers plus luggage. Are we fretting too much about this?
We have been offered water taxi transport to and from Venice accommodations at end of our trip (rather pricey), and were inquiring if there were any other suggestions. Our principal concern is transfers from Venice airport to train station (S. Lucia) to Florence, thence to Rome (from train to apartment) and to train station in Rome to return to Venice.
And, we are also concerned about best way to arrange early morning taxi to the departure point for Pompeii tour leaving central Rome. I don't relish hailing a taxi at 7:00 a.m.
Again, thank you for your guidance.
Feb 12th, 2008, 10:25 AM
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All trains from Venice SL go through (and stop) at Venice Mestre. I suspect Travelocity did not offer you all the choices you need.
This is the best site to check:
http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html
On the trenitalia site, is there a red "Mestre" below "Venezia SL" for the train the train you are considering? These would indicate a stop in Venezia Mestre.
Another way to see all stops: Click on Details for the train you want, then in the next window click the train number and you should see all the stops.
This is the best site to check:
http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html
On the trenitalia site, is there a red "Mestre" below "Venezia SL" for the train the train you are considering? These would indicate a stop in Venezia Mestre.
Another way to see all stops: Click on Details for the train you want, then in the next window click the train number and you should see all the stops.
Feb 12th, 2008, 10:39 AM
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Even if you are booked on a specific train from Venice SL to Florence there is no need to go to Ven. SL station. You can simply get on at Venice Mestre. Getting to Venice SL by taxi or car will be a major pain, and there is simply no need.
To answer your question I think yes, you are overthinking this a bit too much.
If it were me, I'd take taxi (2 of them, as most only fit 4 pax) or bus from Venice airport to Venice Mestre.
There are trains to Florence basically every single hour. If you arrive there in time for an earlier train, go to the ticket window and exchange your tickets for the next train - no need to wait a few hrs. I'm not sure how you purchased your existing train tickets, but most tickets can be changed for another train.
In Rome there are taxi queues at various locations throughout the city. You don't normally flag a taxi off the street. There will be taxis in the queue at 7am - just find the one nearest your hotel, walk there and hop in.
To answer your question I think yes, you are overthinking this a bit too much.
If it were me, I'd take taxi (2 of them, as most only fit 4 pax) or bus from Venice airport to Venice Mestre.
There are trains to Florence basically every single hour. If you arrive there in time for an earlier train, go to the ticket window and exchange your tickets for the next train - no need to wait a few hrs. I'm not sure how you purchased your existing train tickets, but most tickets can be changed for another train.
In Rome there are taxi queues at various locations throughout the city. You don't normally flag a taxi off the street. There will be taxis in the queue at 7am - just find the one nearest your hotel, walk there and hop in.
Feb 12th, 2008, 10:44 AM
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<<Our concern, based on past experiences, is that many taxis do not have room for 5 passengers plus luggage. Are we fretting too much about this?>>
Possibly
How old are your children?
Water taxis are expensive, but if you have to move small children around Venice, it might be a good splurge for getting five people to the airport. There is an Alilaguna stop on the Zattere in Dorsoduro which might be convenient for you. This is a boat service that goes directly to the airport. The fare is about 12 euros each.
From Venice train station to your hotel in Venice, you should be able to take the vaporetto (bus on water) unless you children are very young.
For your transfers Venice airport to train; train to Florence hotel; Florence hotel to Rome apartment; Rome apartment to Venice train I suggest a taxi (or two) from the official lines.
There's a bus that goes to Fiesole from the train station, but it's hard to know how convenient this will be to your villa location without knowing the address.
It's possible to take the Metro from Roma Termini to areas near the Vatican, but it might be challenging for your group with luggage, depending on how far your apartment is from the Metro stop.
Get a taxi company phone number from your apartment rental agents and call to arrange a pickup for your group for the morning you head to Pompeii. Or ask them to call for you. In Rome you really can't hail a cab on the street. You must find a taxi stand. Your Pompeii tour location is not far from Roma Termini. You could take the Metro there. Again, this depends on how convenient the Metro is to your apartment.
Possibly
How old are your children?
Water taxis are expensive, but if you have to move small children around Venice, it might be a good splurge for getting five people to the airport. There is an Alilaguna stop on the Zattere in Dorsoduro which might be convenient for you. This is a boat service that goes directly to the airport. The fare is about 12 euros each.
From Venice train station to your hotel in Venice, you should be able to take the vaporetto (bus on water) unless you children are very young.
For your transfers Venice airport to train; train to Florence hotel; Florence hotel to Rome apartment; Rome apartment to Venice train I suggest a taxi (or two) from the official lines.
There's a bus that goes to Fiesole from the train station, but it's hard to know how convenient this will be to your villa location without knowing the address.
It's possible to take the Metro from Roma Termini to areas near the Vatican, but it might be challenging for your group with luggage, depending on how far your apartment is from the Metro stop.
Get a taxi company phone number from your apartment rental agents and call to arrange a pickup for your group for the morning you head to Pompeii. Or ask them to call for you. In Rome you really can't hail a cab on the street. You must find a taxi stand. Your Pompeii tour location is not far from Roma Termini. You could take the Metro there. Again, this depends on how convenient the Metro is to your apartment.
Feb 13th, 2008, 03:58 AM
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Hi - No need to get a taxi ...
There is a regular Airport Shuttle bus service from Venice airport direct to Mestre station (- 20 mins/ € 2.50). Luggage goes in the hold underneath.
http://www.atvo.it/eng/airport.php?l...id=1&var=v
Steve
There is a regular Airport Shuttle bus service from Venice airport direct to Mestre station (- 20 mins/ € 2.50). Luggage goes in the hold underneath.
http://www.atvo.it/eng/airport.php?l...id=1&var=v
Steve
Apr 18th, 2008, 11:39 PM
#15
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Once again, thanks to all for their thoughtful contributions.
Buses (the Venice train station was Santa Lucia) and taxis (there were 5 of us laden w/ much luggage) were not real options for a family including 3 impatient younger girls. We hired Driverin Italy[.com] to take us from train station to Fiesole (above Florence) and back, and handle ground transport between train station and accommodations in Rome, as well as for tour of Rome and down to Pompeii/Positano. Quite pleased with service.
Once in the Florence (Fiesole) area we did get to and from the Centro by bus (#7), but attempting that transfer w/ 3 children and 10 pieces of luggage would have been laughable (years after the tears dried). The villa we used in Fiesole (simply spectacular) was on an old, very narrow Eutruscan road and well, well off the main highway (the views of the city below were storybook good, though). Our driving service utilized a van, large enough, but not by much, to tote us and our luggage to and from the villa. We made the right decision by eschewing a taxi (which could not have shoehorned us in).
For Venice transfers, we relied on our hotel for arrangements, private water taxis, we enjoyed.
Buses (the Venice train station was Santa Lucia) and taxis (there were 5 of us laden w/ much luggage) were not real options for a family including 3 impatient younger girls. We hired Driverin Italy[.com] to take us from train station to Fiesole (above Florence) and back, and handle ground transport between train station and accommodations in Rome, as well as for tour of Rome and down to Pompeii/Positano. Quite pleased with service.
Once in the Florence (Fiesole) area we did get to and from the Centro by bus (#7), but attempting that transfer w/ 3 children and 10 pieces of luggage would have been laughable (years after the tears dried). The villa we used in Fiesole (simply spectacular) was on an old, very narrow Eutruscan road and well, well off the main highway (the views of the city below were storybook good, though). Our driving service utilized a van, large enough, but not by much, to tote us and our luggage to and from the villa. We made the right decision by eschewing a taxi (which could not have shoehorned us in).
For Venice transfers, we relied on our hotel for arrangements, private water taxis, we enjoyed.
