where to stay in venice
 

We are getting off cruise in venice at 7am and our flight back home leaves at 6:30 am the next day. trying to decide where to stay near airport or grand canal - and if we stay near airport where to store luggage while exploring grand canal area or if we stay near grand canal is there shuttle service available to get to airport for 6:30 am flight. please help also what hotels would be good to stay in

Regretably, I'd stay near the airport because of your early departure.

You should be able to leave your luggage at the cruise terminal or, at worst at Piazzale Roma nearby.

Well normally I would say stay in Venice - near Piazzale Roma would be easist unless you are prepared to pay serious E's for water taxi. But maybe it would not be a bad idea to stay near airport since you flight is sooo early. Its a tough call.

I concur: it doesn't seem practical to stay on Venice with such an early flight out. Staying near the airport makes the most sense.

I'm not sure I'd visit Venice at all given that timeframe, unless you have never seen it before and are dying to see it (or have certain museums and such you wish to see). Venice is like Disneyland these days, with huge crowds and lines during the day in many areas. However, at night and in the morning, when the crowds are gone, it is magical.

On my last visit (having spent several nights on past trips) I had only a few hours during the day off the train, and it was miserable. I kind of regretted visiting at all. I imagine many people hate Venice if they experience it in this way, never seeing it not so crowded when it is so wonderful. If you explore it at night or in the morning you are much more likely to fall in love with Venice.

There are nice towns you can easily visit by train, nearby, if you wish e.g. Verona or Padua. While Verona is touristy too, it is nothing like the mob scene in Venice during the day.

When are you visiting? Friends were there in Oct 2013 and complained about how crowded it was due to the many cruise ships in port but when we visited inMay 2014, we didn't find it to be unpleasantly crowded. Venice is such a magical place that even if you can only manage a short visit, I would encourage you to go.
There are websites you can Google to see how many ships will be in port the day you will be there. I have done that when we cruised in the Caribbean to get some idea of how crowded the port city might be.

Hi there!

I also agree, better off staying near the airport to ensure easy access and less stress. We usually stay here if needing to be at the airport, Antony Palace Hotel @ Via Matteik 26, Marcon, not too far and decent hotel!

This site I just found also list some nice day tours to do if short on time! www.triprovider.com

have fun!

does anyone recommend good reasonable hotel that has shuttle service to the airport near the airport

We recently stayed at The Best Western Titian Inn (end of June) it is 5 minutes from the airport with a free shuttle. Very quiet good breakfast and nice size family room. There is also a bus stop a quick walk down the road that will take you right to Piazza Roma (bus 5 I believe). Price was about 190E but we stayed there for the convenience. Good luck and have a great trip!

We've stayed at Ca Beatrice Agriturismo http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...re_Veneto.html.
They have a wonderful staff and excellent facilities just a few minutes from VCE. They offer free shuttle service to the airport and to a local bus stop a few minutes from the hotel with a direct, easy ride into Piazzale Roma/Venice.