Guide on transportation in Venice

When you book a trip to Venice, you dream of boat trips on the canals. However, when trying to figure out how to reach your hotel, the whole transportation system might seem very intimidating and confusing. I can assure you this is totally normal on a first visit.
I receive plenty of questions on this topic, so I decided to create this post to make the preparation of your trip to Venice a bit easier. I will first tell you what the appropriate terminology is of the different transportation modi. I will then guide you along the different possibilities for transportation upon arrival in Venice and for moving around the city. For each one, you will find the price, transfer time, links to the time schedule as well as tips on how to buy a ticket. The infograph at the end summarizes your options and shows you in a glimpse which transportation is most appropriate for you.


Private Water Taxi
In essence, water taxis are Venetian limousines. Step into a plush cabin with luxurious leather upholstery and open-air seating. These water taxis may be a little costly, but they do come in handy when you’ve got a last-minute plane to catch or you’re late to the opera. Licensed water taxis have a yellow stripe with a license number. Look out for crooks posing as official water-taxi drivers, though, who take your money and make a mad dash for it. Official rates start at €15 plus €2 per minute – it’s €5 extra if you ask them to collect you from your hotel.




Gondola
Is there anything as Venetian as a gondola ride into the sunset? No trip to this romantic city would be complete without paying over the odds for this memorable experience. Official daytime rates are €80 for 40 minutes (€100 for 35 minutes 1900–0800). Have a look at the gondola itineraries before you decide to book online or with a suave-looking gondolier. Having your own personal crooner will push the fare up slightly, so make sure you agree on prices and singing in advance to avoid unexpected extra charges. Nothing dampens romance like a hefty bill.




Vaporetto
One of the best ways to see Venice is, without a doubt, on board a vaporetto. The service is fast and reliable and makes a welcome change from the dreary buses we’re used to at home. It’s worth noting that during peak times, these waterbuses can get overcrowded. If you don’t mind the occasional elbow to the ribs, the window views are stunning, and tickets are fairly reasonably priced at under a tenner each way.