Getting Around Venice
Getting to Venice from the Airport
Venice Airport is on the mainland and is connected to the Venetian Archipelago via the Ponte della Libertá. The Ponte della Libertá is a long causeway that connects the Venetian Archipelago to the mainland. An airport shuttle bus takes travelers as far as Piazzale Roma. From Piazzale Roma, visitors would then have to take either the water shuttle, a water taxi, or walk.
Though this is one possible option of getting to Venice from the airport, in my opinion, the best option to get to Venice is to take the water shuttle.
Tickets for the water shuttle can be purchased just outside of Italian Customs using cash or from any of the kiosks using a credit card. The company Alilaguna has different lines that takes travelers to stations close to their destination. I bought a round trip ticket for 27 Euros which was on the Blue Line.
To get to the boats, follow the blue signs to the area marked “Water Transport.”
If you book using this link below I will receive a small commission as a Viator Affiliate. This commission is at no additional charge to you. Viator works with multiple companies. If you prefer to book directly with Alilaguna you can click HERE. I do not receive a commission for booking directly with Alilaguna.
Viator also offers a 72 hour pass which includes airport transportation. The link below provides additional information.
 72-Hour Venice Transportation Pass - $72.09 Enjoy a 72-hour Venice transport pass which give you access to all Alilaguna boat transfers. Alilaguna 3 boat transfers lines connect Venice Marco Polo airport and Venice Cruise Terminal to many stops in Venice city centre, the Lido and Murano island, giving you the possibility to navigate through the city in a fast and easy way. |
It takes around 5 to 10 minutes to arrive at the departure area via the moving walkway.
Upon arriving at the water transport terminal it is important to find the dock for the Alilaguna line that you are taking. I was taking the Blue Line. Mixed in with the water shuttles are private water taxis that function like cabs on the water.
There was plenty of room on the boat although there was not any particular place to store my luggage. My bag sat across a row of three seats.
The journey to my stop, Zattere, took around 90 minutes. The water shuttle stopped at many other islands first, and then followed the coast of Venice until it got to my stop.
I didn’t mind, as I was able to get many great pictures of Venice including various bridges, the Grand Canal, St. Mark’s Square and an Italian War Ship.
Getting Around Venice - Table of Contents
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Getting to Venice by Train
Another way to get to Venice is by train. This method of arrival is for people who are coming from destinations other than the airport. Most of the passengers come from Rome or other parts of Italy. Once arriving at the train station, you can walk or take a water taxi to your hotel.
The train station is at the Northwest End of Venice and has a Vaporetto (public water bus) Station right next to it.
Just inside the train station is a large departure board that switches back and forth between Italian and English.
The red train below was going to Rome’s Main Station (Termini) and was a high-speed train. There were plenty of ordinary trains as well that were headed to other nearby places in Italy.
The restrooms at the train station only cost 1 Euro and were very clean. The train station restrooms are accessible for anyone, not just ticket holders.
Getting Around Venice by Vaporetto (Public Water Bus) and Water Taxi
Once tourists arrive, the Vaporetto is one easy way of getting around Venice. Tickets can be purchased from station to station or visitors can purchase a Tourist Travel Card good for unlimited rides. The Tourist Travel Cards feature unlimited fairs from 12 hours to 7 days. The Vaporetto goes up and down the Grand Canal and to the neighboring islands. Be sure to validate your ticket before getting on the Vaporetto. Failure to could result in a fine.
When boarding the Vaporetto, there are two queues, one for priority guests (residents of Venice) and one for visitors. It is not possible for a visitor to purchase a ticket for the priority queue.
A water taxi is similar to hiring a land taxi. The driver of the water taxi takes a specific person or group of people to their specific destination without any stops in between. The water taxi service was much more expensive than the water shuttle.
Walking around Venice was fun for me, which meant I never took the Vaporetto. If I ever visited with my nieces and nephews or parents, it would be a necessary method of transportation for them, so I am glad I know how it works.
Taking a Gondola Ride in Venice
Venice is famous for its Gondolas. A Gondola is a small 1-6 person boat, paddled by a man who sometimes sings opera. Gondolas are not necessarily a method of transportation as they return to the departure point.
The Gondola is more of a sightseeing tour. A thirty minute Gondola ride costs around 80 Euros. During peak hours, Gondola rides can go up to 100 Euros. These prices are per Gondola, not per person. Despite having fixed prices set by the municipality of Venice, I was able to find some cheaper Gondola prices.
Note: Some of the prices on the links below are “per person” and are not “per Gondola.” They are only cheaper for a single person.
 Venice Gondola Serenade - $54.78 You cannot say to have lived Venice in all its aspects, if you have not ridden on a Gondola! |
 Venice Walking Tour and Gondola Ride - $53.85 Enjoy a walking tour of the city to discover its treasures nestled amid charming squares, bridges and narrow streets and then hop aboard a classic Venetian gondola boat. After exploring the Grand Canal and the smaller canals around the neighborhood of Fenice, soak up the charms of the romantic city while wandering through picturesque cobblestone alleyways and squares. Your knowledgeable guide will point out all the highlights of Venice from the area between Piazza San Marco to Rialto Bridge. |
 Venice Gondola Ride and Serenade - $45.47 Waft by the beautiful sights of Venice on a 30-minute shared gondola ride and enjoy a serenade, too. Select an afternoon or evening trip, be welcomed aboard your six-passenger gondola by a traditionally dressed gondolier, and set off in a group of around eight gondolas, with a singer aboard one of the boats. Admire Palazzo Barberino and other romantic landmarks as your flotilla navigates the Grand Canal and smaller waterways, and soak up the dulcet melodies from the flotilla’s singer along the way! |
The Gondolas that travel outside the canals have a special lane near the sea. This lane is outlined by a break that allows the Gondolas to function without getting hit by the giant waves.
Being on this trip by myself, I did not think it was worth spending the money on a Gondola ride.
Near Zattiere Station, there is a place where they make and repair Gondolas. It was fun to watch them work on them.
Getting Around Venice by Walking
My favorite method of getting around Venice is walking. Motorized vehicles are not allowed inside of Venice, so all of the streets are only open to pedestrians.
Venice is best explored by walking around and getting lost in the maze of streets, canals, and bridges.
Three main bridges cross the Grand Canal and then hundreds of smaller ones that cross the secondary canals. Below, are some links for walking tours of Venice. I wouldn’t recommend a walking tour, as I found it more fun to explore on my own. Still, I decided to post these links as I know some people prefer a tour.
 Private Tour: Venice Art and Architecture Walking Tour - $268.15 Discover the incomparable art and architecture of Venice on a private walking tour with your very own guide. You'll focus on areas of architectural and artistic richness away from the well-trodden pathways and enjoy personalized attention on your private walking tour. Here's proof there's so much more to Venice than St. Mark's Square! |
 Hidden Venice Walking Tour - $29.91 A relaxing afternoon walking tour with an expert guide to discover some unusual areas of Venice, located off the beaten track. Enjoy a fascinating stroll from St. Mark's Square to the Rialto Bridge and immerse yourself in the traditional everyday atmosphere of Venice! |
 Venice Landmarks: Walking Tour Plus St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace Tours - $147.78 Explore the best of Venice on this complete half-day tour: guided walk between St Mark’s Square and the Rialto area, avoid the long lines to enter St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace and enjoy a fascinating visit of the most famous attractions of Venice. |
Some of the alleyways can be quite tight. The one pictured below had an unusually low ceiling. You can see in the picture that I could not fit without ducking.
For visitors with luggage, there are numerous places around to store luggage. If for some reason it cannot be left at the hotel there are luggage storage facilities near the train station and many of the water taxis.
Finally, while getting around Venice, many tourists will need to use the restroom. There are many restrooms, which are marked by a sign that says “WC – Toilette.” The cost of these restrooms is 1.50 Euros.
These are the primary methods for getting around Venice. I highly recommend walking if possible as it will allow you to immerse yourself in the Venetian Architecture and Culture.
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