Does anyone have any experience using the website www.venicelink.com to book a shared taxi transport from the Marco Polo airport? Is this mode of transport reliable and does it take a lot longer than a private water taxi to get from the Marco Polo airport to the Rialto Bridge area??

This is a new service, so you may not get much response. I would think it would be reliable (cannot think of why it would not be) but it may take longer than a private taxi- they will need to drop off other clients if you are not the first dropped off.

You could also take the bus from right outside the airport doors to p. Roma (15-20 minutes) and then the vaporetto from there to the Rialto stop (10-20 minutes, depending on which vaporetto you take). This would be a cheaper option. Check the details on the venicelink site.

This shared service is 27 euro per person, minimum reservation 2 persons. One person alone would have to pay 54 euro.

From the website:
ATTENTION: service is reservable for minimum 2 people. However, if you're travelling alone and are interested to book an Airport Link water taxi, have to pay at least 54 euro like a two people service reservation or your request won't be accepted.

For a private taxi, it's 90 euro for up to 4 people, + 20 euro each additional person up to 8 people.

I could imagine some frustration, curious, if the other people's plane arrived late and so the taxi waited around for them but I am not familar with this service so I don't know what their procedure is. If it worked it would sure save you some money. Using the taxi is wonderful but zoecat certainly gave you a good thought. Or you could take the bus to P. Roma and than a private taxi to your hotel. Does the hotel you reserved have a private dock for the taxi to use?

Thanks for all the feedback. The hotel does have a private dock. I will be traveling with one other person therefore, I was looking to cut some cost with transport without having a ton of transfers. Does the bus take a long time to get to P. Roma from teh airport? The private water taxi is certainly the most convenient and fastest option, however, it is quite expensive when only split between two people.

In your opinion, how difficult is it to maneuver luggage on the vaporettos? Is there space for your bags without getting knocked over by all the other people on the boat and is it difficult to get on and off the boat with it??

From reports in the blogosphere, the shared water taxi has been a problem for some people on the front end. As in having to wait more time than folks thought convenient for the water taxi to fill up. The boat operator doesn't want to leave without a full fare.

The bus then vaporetto option is not much hassle. Assuming you aren't taking everything in the house to Italy with you and have a reasonable amount of luggage each, then is usually plenty of room of the vaporetto for you and your bag hanging out next to you. Just don't be rude and bang into people with your backpack. ;-)

The ATVO blue bus costs 3 euro and has lots of under the bus luggage storage. Drops you right in P le Roma and just a short hop to the vaporetto. 6.50 euro for the vaporetto.

The other option is to take the Alilaguna shuttle boat from the airport to the Rialto stop. Linea Arancio runs to the Rialto. 13 euros per person

http://www.alilaguna.it/lineaarancio.html

Oops. forgot getting on and off the vap.

The vaporetto stops all have ramps to the floating docks and are fairly level. The actual transition from the vaporetto to the stop should be dead level and no space between. All easy to navigate.

It is 15-20 minutes by Venice Express bus from the airport to P. Roma. I recall the cost to be ~4 euro.

How much luggage are you taking? I usually take a 22" roller bag and a small carry on and I have had no problem on the vaporetti. It is not hard to get on/off- there is a ramp. However, the boats will be crowded. Just don't be shy about creating your space and marching forward. You'll see others doing the same thing. If you feel you will struggle with your luggage, I recommend taking a water taxi from the airport directly to your hotel dock.

Also, have you looked into purchasing your vaporetto passes in advance to take advantage of a discount? Here is the website to do so-

http://veniceconnected.com/choose-se...ithdrawal-date

Choose your arrival date and then the pass you would like to purchase based on your length of stay. Once you make your online purchase you will be given a number. When you arrive at the airport, show the number at the well-signed Venice Connected desk and they will issue you your passes. The bus stop is just outside the airport doors. It's a great way to save some money.

This is a nice blog with info about Venice-

http://livingveniceblog.com/veniceconnected/

Great - thanks for the helpful tips. My friend and I travel fairly light; generally one reasonably sized suitcase with one small shoulder bag for each person. I could see how the shared taxi could take a lot of time on the front end especially with having to wait for all the passengers to get through customs, get their luggage, etc. I like the aliguana idea - it seems easier to just get on one boat all the way to Rialto and the price is much better than the private water taxi!!

I was thinking of using public transport for the airport transfers to save money for perhaps a gondola ride - I've never been to Venice and I figure you should try a gondola ride at lease once in your life! ha.

We used the Venice connected web site. Paid 72 Euros for the Vaporetta ride for 2 to San Zaccharias water bus site, (on the alilaguna water bus) and two unlimited 3 day passes on the Vaporetta system. We definitely felt it was a value. We did the whole circuit several times including once at night and multiple "short" rides and a express ride to the train station on departure.
ALSO, download the Rick Steves free Audioguide for your MP3 player for the Grand Canal. It's very fun to listen to as you float down the grand canal.