Quick question for anyone who has flown into Venice recently

[chickola]

What's the easiest way to get from the airport to the area near the Piazza San Marco/La Fenice? I'm debating between the ATVO bus, which I *think* can only get me as far as Piazzale Roma, or the ACTV water bus, which seems to go directly to P. San Marco, but takes an additional half hour. What would you do? The cost isn't really an issue, but ease

Comments

[pandj30]

I would do the alilaguna for sure. That's what J and I did and we had our bags

[chickola]

Thanks P! I was hoping you'd be online. :)

[zzcutts]

I also took the Alilaguna water bus last time. It's easy. You can ask the pilot which stop will be closest to your hotel (or call the hotel and ask them.)

[pandj30]

you can always look at the forums on Fodors to get opinions on this.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34706503

[chickola]

Grazie, bellas!

[pandj30]

Nice work brushing up on your Italian.
:)

[chickola]

Trying...although it is limited at its very best. I taught J to say, "sono sposato" (I am married) before he left. ;)

[pandj30]

Okay, not to further bog you down, but....where is your hotel?
Just saw this Fodors post:

Here are your transportion options in Venice, in increasing order by price. Note that you can walk from one side of Venice to the other pretty easiliy, so it is not that important to get a ride to your exact destination (unless you have luggage).

Land bus, airport to Venice' edge: stinky old bus, probably about 3 euros.

Vaporetto (water bus); many stops, about a euro per trip.

Alilaguna. The airport shuttle, stops in a few spots in the city, don't use for public transportation though. About 10 Euro to/from the airport.

Water taxi. Goes right to your destination (or as close as possible). 80 Euros from the airport, but that's for the whole taxi, not per person.

Gondola. This is like a horse-drawn carriage ride in NYC -- strictly for tourists, fun if you like that sort of thing. Near a 90 euros per trip, but you can negotiate or find something cheaper.

[chickola]

We're staying at the one you recommended, the Hotel Kette, near the P San Marco. Sounds like Alilaguna is the way to go...

[pandj30]

Oh yeah, I totally forgot that I recommended that hotel to you.
Very cool, I hope you like it.
How long is your trip? I forgot?
I am uber jealous right now.

[chickola]

today-11/27. I'm so excited!

I'm sure we will ike the hotel. I think you and your J have similar tastes to me and my J. :)

[pandj30]

seems the Hotel Kette has a canal entrance for taxi: Trip Advisor post.

We arrived on a rainy day in Venice Italy and took a water taxi to our hotel. The hotel has a canal entrance for the taxi which is very convenient. So make sure your taxi driver uses the canal entrance, otherwise you will be walking the luggage (luckily not very far) to the street entrance of the hotel. Just a little thing to keep in mind, be sure to discuss the fee for delivery to the hotel before getting onto the water taxi. Our family of 4 and our 5 suitcases (yes we way overpacked!) was 55 Euro to get "close" to the hotel or 70 Euro to get to the canal entrance of the hotel. We agreed to go to the entrance ( it wasn't until we got into the hotel that we discovered we got "close" instead of the canal entrance.) But that is just a warning so other travelers can be saavy - it has nothing to do with the wonderful hotel experience.

side note: I hope you guys get a room overlooking one of the canals.

[bundlebee]

I have no advice, but just wanted to say- have a great trip! I can't wait to hear all about it and see many pics!